Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-14
TREAT EXCITEMENT AT NAsHvu

The Nashville Banner of Feb. 2Sth thu,
describes the events that transpred in tn,
city consequent upon the fall Of Fort Donel
! son
Early Sunday morning It was reported thai
Fort Donelson had surrendered, but it wal
not until between 10 and IL A. NJ, that tn,
rumors became general In the meantime tn,
General Assembly had been hastily convened
and adjourned after short session, to meet
IN the city Of Memphis on the goth. Tn,
citizens generally unaware of any serious dis.
aster to the Southern cause, were quietly re.
pairing TO church, when, however, they were
met by the report that Fort Donelson had
fallen, that a Federal army was already al
/ Springfield, Robertson county, about twenty.
five miles from this city, connected by rail.
road, and that the gunboats had passed
Clarksyille on their way to this city.
The sudden fight Of the Governor and all
the State officers, including the General AS
sembly, who took special train through to
Memphis, gave color to these absurd rumors,
and the whole city was thrown into panic.
About this time General Johnston's army
from Bowling Green entered the city, passing
south, thus leaving the impression that no
stand was to be made for the defense Of Nash
VILE Such hurrying to and fro was never
seen. Before nightfall, hundreds Of citizens
with their families, we're making their way as
best they could, to the South, many of them
having no idea why they were thus recklessly
abandoning comfortable houses, or where they
we're going. About night it was announced
hat the military authorities would throw
pen the public stores to all who would take
them.
The excitement continued throughout Sun
day night, constantly gaining strength, aided
by the destruction Of two gunboats at the
wharf in.nrocess of COMMUNICATIVE fine n.
Orleans packets, the James Woods and James
Johnson, having been taken for that purpose.
The retreatng army OF Gen. Johnston contin-
led its march, encamping at convenient points
outside the city. Monday morning the dra-
ma opened on the city intensely exciting. The
'ubio stores were distributed to some ex-
ent among the people, while the army and
ospitals were making heavy acquisitions, and
'ressing all the vehicles and men they could
o convey their supplies to their camp. At
he same time considerable quantities were
emoved to the depots for transportation
south,
Evening came, and no gunboats and no
federal army from Kentucky. Gen. Johnston
eft for the South, placing Gen Floyd in com
lee. The apprehensions of the near approach
f the enemy having been found groundless,
was determined by Gen. FLOYD that the de-
truction of the stores was premature. and an
rider was sent to close the warehouses, and
force detailed to collect what had been given
ut This was done as far as practicable. but
Tuesday the distribution commenced again, .
nd continued with more or less restri tons.
nd fha of s,,l.
ntil Saturday morning. Tuesday night the .
'ire and railroad bridges across the Cumber- /
md were destroyed, in spite Of the most earn
st and persistent circumstances of our lead
ig citizens. The wire bridge cost about
100000, and large portion Of the stock
}as owned by the lamented Gen. Zollicofer.
nd was the chief reliance for the support of
is orphan daughters. The railroad bridge
1st S25O,OOO, and was one of the finest
rawbridges in the country.
The scenes which were enacted during the .
blowing days, up to Monday morning. oath,
eggars description. The untirng energy of
ne Mayor and city authorities, who through
ut tais whole affair acted with prudence,
al and devotion to the city which cannot be
% highly commended, was inadequate to
eep down the selfish and unprincipled spirit
Mammon which run riot, grasping from the
iouths and backs of suffering widows and Or
hans the poor pittaRce Of meat and clothing
hich was left thohras indemnity for months
toll with their needle. and the sacrifice of
usbands, sons and brothers in the defense of
re Southern Confederacy. Through the eff
lrts of the Mayor, however, a plan was
dopted on Saturday by which most, if not
Il, of these poor and unprotected creditors Of
g,.ll
5rmaster and Commissary stores.
Here was an entire week Of panic and con-
lson during which millions Of dollars worth
property was lost to the Southern Confed-
racy and wantonly destroyed, all of which
light have been quietly and safely removed,
ad the panic-stricken leaders been able to
laintain their equanimity in the face of
ague and unauthentic rumor that the enemy
ere near at hand. Comment upon such
Management is unnecessary in these columns
1t can be heard loud and unsparing from
very mouth in the land.
Through the efforts of the city authorities .
omething more like order was restored on
aturday. The distribution Of stores was
topped, and every effort made to remove as
UGH as possible to the depot, and have them |
arried off. Large quantities were thus re-
loved. But the heavy rains in the meantime
swoled the water courses that the railroad .
ridges gave way, and transportation was thus
topped on the n. & c. X. r. The depots in .
le meantime, filled with meat and other
torres, attracted the cormorants, and riot af- .
n riot ensued to prevent the mob from lit .
rally carrying off everything.
GEN. j. II. LANE.-The question relative .
} Gen Lanes return to the Senate and his .
ecination to take part in the Texan campaign /
as been settled. In letter from him. dated I
'eavenworth, on the 26 ultimo, he says that
had tried every effort with Gen. Hunter /
arrange concerning the share he (Lane)
hould take in the expedition, but without