Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-05-26
FROM THE TRANS. MISSISSIPPI.
Surrender Of Fort DCneIsoE.

A correspondent of the Appeal perpetrates the fol-
| lowing Renaissance:
Il see It enemy have failed to dskdee Forrest from
West Tennessee and Kentucky yet, Notwithstanding
their boasts and the fact that reinoIcements have been
sent them from Chattanooga. Forrest is too much
for them. He is the hardest nut they have cracked at
yet. By tie way speaking OF this gallant officer,
have heard interesting account of the capture of
Fort Doneson, in which he figured prominently, and
which, if true entities him to great credit for bis dar-
ing enterprise aud determination My author is a
prominent member of Congress, who was of the
investigating committee the Fort Doneson disas-
ter. Although | would by no means give his name,
yet do not hesitate to give these unpublished partcu
lars 0s they bound to leak out day other.
Ga Saturday night before the surrender, council
was called, Pillow, Floyd, Buckner, and number
Of brga diers composed this exciting debate for while
Some thought it necessary to surrender and some
dat. 1t midnight and finite understanding
was come to. Gen. Floyd seeing this dismissed the
council, requesting Pillow and Buckner to remain
The three sat down glo0my by the fire, poDder over
the FAD aspect of eGars. A long silence ersued. At
las5 Floyd said:
"Wel, qcntIemen, it remains with u % decide this
matter, anl We mast DO it at
1t is now midnight, anl il w retire., W have MT
moment to lose"
al say retreat" said Pillow.
81 say surrender. We have shed enough blood al
ready to no PURPOSE" safd Buckner.
''WelI gentlemen,' said Floyd, I see you are still
divided and have the casting vote, will settle the
Id - IL,
the duty es not deV Give upon / can't surrender
because the United States GoverGment have indicted
me treason and the probability is that they were
70 get me they would hang m3 SO you see the thing
is impossible | transfer the command to you, Gener-
oil Pillow"
"Wel, General" said PIicV, 'Tm n the same fix
as yourself Tue Yankees have got me indicted for
shipping guns aud munitions Of to the Confedcr
ate Government. So you see con surrender either;
they would hang me quick IS they would you and
if yen eXcusabe, | guess l am too. SO transfer
my right of command to you, General Buck2er"
Ge0. Buckner bowed, but said nothing. At that
moment osa g.a3 heard without The door opened
aud ccUrirr announced al officer who desired admit
lance He wos ordered to show him in and the next
u0mtnt Col Forress, ii spIasbed with mud and water
with bgh-topped boots and old sIouched hat made
his appearance He walked to the fire place and seated
himself without saying a word After few moments
Floyd said "Wei, Colonel, have you anything i'm
port4G muunictte that you come here at this late
hour or hes your curiosity led you to pay this visiting
order to find out what we had decided upon ?" Both "
replied Forrest, dg, then rising from his chair be said
"But is it possible gentlemen, have already heard
whispered this night that you intend to surrender "
YES was the reply, ave have just arrived at that
conclus )n.'
" But" said Forrest, "there is occasion for If,
gentlemen; the whole army can easily escape without
the loss OF man not hour ago crossed the river
on my horse where it was rot waist deep. I crossed
it going, on horse back, and waded ii coming back
it is free from Yankee pckets aso and there is no
danger to be feared"
"Yes," but colonel" said Gen. Floyed, my scuutsl