Washington telegraph., 1862-03-12
Abandonment of Nashville.

the 10th, gives the following interesting
particulars of the condition of affairs in
that city during the previous FIVE days:
The dispatches closed on Saturday as
they lad on three successive days before
- the enemy are expecting large rein
torccmcDts," but we slept soundly, and
expected TO have great news on the NOR
row. Abyut nine o'clock Sunday morning
rode cut into the country seven or eight
miles, and leaving the turnpike, dined
with a friend in one of the quiet aud
luxurious farmer homes Of Middle Tennes-
see Returning leisurely, | struck the
pike about 1 o'clock p. ", and as every
body had met in the morning, had asked
me the latest news from the city, asked
the first man | met. Any news Pre-
pared TO hear only Of victory.
News What's the last you've
heard ~"
Last nights dispatches.
Noue since The last out and plenty
of it. Fort Donelson has fallen and Nash
vile is surrendered They say the white
flag is waving now on the capitol and the
gunboats will be up before sundown."
L thought he was hoaxing me, but
quickened my pace. The next man con-
firned it all aud more. saw there were
literally a cloud Of witnesses, pouring
along the turnpike leading to Franklin.
Cpnvalescent soldiers, quitting tho hos
pitals, were waddling along with their
scanty baggage. Travellers, in groups and
squads, had left the hotels, carrying car
pet bags and satchels, aud saddle-bags, In
hand. The family Of the owner Of the
Omnibus line, were rolling out in those
vehicles. Doubl. and one horse carriages
were full Of living freight. On reaching
the toll gate, on the top Of the hill over
looking Nashville, | strained my eyes to
see the white flag on the capitol The
tall flagstaff was naked. There was 10
dIg of any sort on it.
VI Passing down Broad street by the Nash
vile and Decatur road, the first man saw
was Governor Harris, about to leave on
special train, with the Legislature and
archives Of the State The town was in
commoLiJn Over the wire bridge that
spans the Cumberland, Gen. Johnston =
army were passing, taking the direction OF
the Murfreesboro' turnpike. The train oI
wagons aud soldiers reached out of sight
and did not get over that night. The
sight Of q Withdrawing or retreating army
i, very di>heartoning.
Ny residence is in Edgefeld. a little
village separated from Nashville by the
Cumberland river. For several DAYS Gen.
Johnstun's head quarters had been 'estab
lished Oh tha. side of the river, and near
me. The lady with whom he anu hi- staff
took their lueals j. my neighbor and friend
aud tell- me that the General opened the
news to her at table in these words:
Madam, take you to be person of
irmness, aud trust your neighbors are.
Don't b. alarmed Last night my last
dispatch, up to IL o'clock, was favorable,
and laid down expecting a great victory
tO diy but this morning, at o'clock,
was waaed by a courier, with the news
that our forces at Fort Doneson were sur
rounded aud must surrender Tney are
not made of steel Our soldiers have
fuue Int bravely as ever soldiers did, but
they cannot hold out day after day against
fresh forces aud such odds. | canuot
IA Ike met Stay at home. Tell all your
friends from me to stay at home. can
not make fight before Nashville, and for
the good of the city shall retire. | know
Gen. Buell. we'll. He is gentleman, aud
will not suffer any violence TO peaceable
citizens, or disturb private property"
Ii might have been well if the General
had issued proclamation lie aud staff
crossed the bridge that uight, at / L o'clock.
Gen. Breckenridge followed, and your cor
respondent followed soon after.
The question has often been asked,
.Why didn't the people OF Nashville
make stand? What give up their
city without striking blow
| The people were astonished and indig
uant at the way they we're handed over to
the enemy's mercy and occupation. But
what could they do? When Generals,
aud armed and drilled soldiers give up
and retire, what can unarmed aud undis-
c;nlined citizens do before foe advancing
by land aud water III!
4" Throw brickbats at them," said one
Indeed That would do we'll enough, if
the enemy would deal in the same mis-
siles.
The bones of Gen. Jackson, the defend
er of New Orleans, must have turned in
his grave, at the Hermitage, few miles
away, at such surrender.
After taking my family as far as Deca-
tur, / returned to Nashville on Wednesday
The stores we're closed aud bolred the
streets deserted, save by a guard here and
there, and press gang taking up every
man they could find and sending him tc
load government pork into barges. upon
which it was being taken up the river and
put out of the eDemy's way. Had stand
been made before the city, or ever fein;
of a stand, no doubt all the government
stores could have been removed safely
As it is, vast amounts have been thrown
away wasted, given cut, both from the
quartermaster and commissarys DEPART
nlents.
At one time the doors were throwr
open to whosoever would, under the im
preston that they had better let the poo
have these provisions than the enemy
who was expected Instantly A frient
said he saw Quantities of meat lying q
the road side where persons, having over
loaded their carts, had thrown it out -
Barrels of -four. sacks of coffee, tierces o