Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-03-06
THE TAKING OF NASHVILLE.

Chlhirea Me Chief Su4ferers.
The Banner is the only newspaper now
printed in the city Of Nashville, Tenn all
the others have suspended, and the Editors
run of to the South. The Banner Editor
says his paper will be continued. Its tone
will have to be changed considerably if it is.
1t gives the following graphic description
ofthe scenes incident to a change of military
administration in that city
Now for the effects ofthe loss of the fort
upon this city. Early Sunday morning it
was reported that Fort Donelson had sur
rendered, but it was not until between 10
and II, A. NJ, that the rumors became gen.
eral. In tho moan time, the General Assem-
bly, had been hastily convened, and after a
short session, adjourned to meet in the city
generally naware of any disaster to the
Southern cause, were quietly repairing to
church, when, however, they wore met by
the report that Fort Donelson had fallen,
that a Federal army was already ut Spring |
field, Robertson county, about twenty.fvel
miles from this city, connected by railroad.
and that the gunboats had passed GAINESVILLE |
on their way to this city. The sudden fight
of the Governor and all the State officers, |
including the General Assembly, who took
a special train through to Memphis, gave
color to- these absurd runors, and the whole
city was thrown into a panic. About this
time General Johnson's army from Bowling
Green entered the city; passing South. thus
leaving the impression that no stand was to
be mate for the defense of Nashville. Such
hurrying TO aDdfro wars never seen. Before
nightfall hundreds Of citizens, with their
families, were making their way as best they
could to the South, many Of them having no
idea why they were thus rocklessly aban-
doning comfortable houses, or where they
we're going. About night it was announced
that the military authorities would throw
open the public stores to all who would take
them. r ar.r. Z. H'.. Ha. oiHt
THE excitement continued through Sun
I day night, constantly gaining strength, aid
ed by the destruction Of two gunboats at the
t wharf, which were in process of construction
= two fine New Orleans packets, the James
Woods and James johnson, having been
Q taken for that purpose. The retreating
/, armyOf Gen. johnson continued its 'march,
: encamping by regiments at convenient points
outside of the city. Monday morning the
drama opened on the city intensely exciting.
O The public stores we're distributed to some
extent among the people, while the army
= and hospitals were making heavy requisi.
T tions, and passing all vehicles and men that
they could, to convey their supplies to their
camp. At the same time, considerable
= quantities were removed to the depots for
transportation South Evening came, and
Is no gunboats, and no Federal army from
Kentucky. General johnson left for the
It South, placing General Floyd in command,
h assisted by Generals Pillow and Hardee.-
Tho apprchensions Of tho nenr approach oil
$ the enemy having bcen found ~groundless,
it was determined by General Floyd that the
destruction of the stores was premature, and
an order was sent to close the warehouses
and q force detailed to collect what hat
practicable, but on Tuesday the distribution
10 commenced again, and continued, with NOR,
Z or less restrictions, under the eye Of the
most judicions citizens, until Saturday morn
ing. Tuesday night the wire and railrOat
bridge across tho Cumberland were destroy
N ed, in spite of the most earnest and persist
ent circumstances of our lending citizens
The wire bridge cost about $3.50, 600, and
! large portion of the stock was owned by thu
lanented General Xollicoffer, and was tn,
)r chief reliance for the support Of his or
phanod daughters. The railroad bridge
!, cost $3.50, 600, and was one of the fines
drawbridges in the country.
4 The scenes which were enacted during
the following days up to Monday morning
oath, beggars description. The u~ntiring en-
4; ergy of the Mayor and city authorities wht
throughout this whole affair acted with
prudence, zeal and devotion to the city
BY which cannot be too highly commended
was inadequate to keep down the selfish anC
unprincipled spirit Of mammon which run
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