The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-11-18

Neminiscence of Fort DDnelsnn

"Reminiscences of Fort Donei,on.
a correspondent of the Memphis
dPPeaI makes the following state
mcnt, on the authority of Member
of Congress, who was one of the Fort
Donelson Investigating Committee.
\ On Saturday night before the sur.
render, council Of war was held
Pillow, Floyd, Buckncr, and num-
der of Bngadiers composed this body.
There was much confusion and en-
citing debate for while. Some
thought il necessary to surrender and
some aid not. 1t was midnight, and
no definite understanding was come
to Con FlaJi1. saai-e, til i:--..s-.-.
led the council, requestinp pill a"a
I BucKner 10 remain. The three sat
down gloomily by the fire to ponder
over the sad aspect of affairs. A
long silence ensued.
"Well, gentlemen" said Floyd, 81
see You are still divided, and rs I
have the casting vote, will settle the
matter Mt once. / favor the surren-
der myself, provided the duty does
not devolve upon me. i cannot sur
render, because the United States
Government have indicted me for
treason, and the probability is that
III they were to get me they would
hang me. So you see the thing is
impossible. transfer the command
to you, General"
"Well, gentlemen, it remains with
, us to settle this matter, and we must
:, do il ut once. 1t ls now midnight,
t and if we retreat we have not mo-
. ment to lose"
D ~ say retreat" said Pillow.
9 al say surrender! We have shed
| enough blood already to no purpose"
| said Buckner.
"Well, gentlemen" said Pillow, "I
am in the same FIX as yourselves
= The Yankees have got me indicted
= for shipping guns and munitions of
war to the Confederate Government.
+ So you see ] can't surrender either;
, they would hang me as quick as they
, would you, and if you are excusablc.
| ] presume | am, too. So / transfer
my right of command to you, Gener-
al BucLner."
4 General Buclsner bowed, hut said
nothing. At that moment noise
was heard without. The door OPEN
: ed and courier announced an officer
: who desired admittance. He was or
| dered to show him in, and the next
moment Col. Forrest, all splashed
, with mud and water, with high-top-
|, ped boots and an old, slouched hat,
/, made his appearance. He walked TO
the fire place and seated himself with
out saying word a Aftcr n few mo-
; ments Floyd said:
/, "WelI, Colonel, have you anything
of importance TO communicate that
YOU come here at this late hour, or
has your curiosity led you to pay q
visit in order to find ont what we have
! decided upon p
; "Both," replied Forrest, dryly;
' then rising from his chair, he said
| "But is it possible, gentlemen, as l
) have already heard whispered this
/, night, that you intend to surrender ?"
!; "Yes," was the reply, we have just
/ arrived at that conclusion"
"But," said Forrest, "there is no
9 occasion for it, gentlemeni the whole
army can easily escape without tho
eros 81 Che m2gRer m2gRer 92t % y fp m6sg 699T sS9
h. Iit was not waist deep. / crossed it
= going on horseback, and waded it
9 coming back. 1t is free from Yan-
f kee pickets also, and there is no dan
= ger to be feared"
"Yes; but, Colonel" said General
il Floyd, ''my scouts have reconnoiter-
r ed the entire river, and an officer who
8 arrived not half an hour ago told mo
y that he had tested the river every
{ where, and no spot had he found ford
: able
J.. 81 don't care, General, if he did,"
q said Forrest; she told you id lie,
rs l am ready TO swear that | wadcd
the river not half an hour ago, rs my
:. wet clothes will testify. And now,
- gentlemen, as it is getting late, it is
. high time you should be acting
y will you take my advice and make
elyour escape ~
70 "No," was the reply, cit is toolate." "
= ~ have one request to make" said
~ Forrest 81 have fine regiment Of
= ! cavalry here, and want permission
20 ito take it out. Grant me this much
10 and I'm OFF,
~ General Buckner nodded his head,
"a "a when Forrest boltcd out ofthe house,
III took his command. crossed the river
- at the aforesaid place, and made his
!, escape without she loss of . man.