The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-01-24

ga. A writer IN the chicago Times has
reviewed the book in most incisive man
Der. and from a different standpoint from
the General staF. We make tie subjoin-
eb extracts. which possess local as well
as a general interest
BELMONT.
The reviewer says that Grant was or
dered by Gen. Fremont to MIKE 3 ''dem-
onstration'' on Columbus to check the
sending of supplies. ETC.. from that point to
Price in Mississippi. Instead of making a
demonstration. he got himself into a 6ght
and defeat. with loss of one-sixth of
his men. The writer concludes
The battle of Belmont involved wholly
needless sacrifice Of life, and was the result
Of a recklessness which transformed a sim
pie demonstration into an unequal and IN
necessary fight.
FORT DoNELsoN.
After reciting the capture Of Fort Henry
by Commodore Foote, the writer proceeds :
Why did not Grant follow up the de-
moralized garrison that fed from Fort Hen
/
No haste was used. The gunboats Va
sent up the river, and we charge, in stiss
place, that Grant, instead of proceeding to
invest.Fort Donelson, spent nearly week
ina social rejoicing over Foote'S capture
Of Fort Henry. Grant, the day of the CAP :
ture of Fort Henry, telegrahed to Halleck
that he would take Donelson on the 9Th
Why did he not do it /? In place of this,
he returned to Cairo. bringing the Rebel
commander, Tighlman, as a trophy ; and
occupies himself in indulging in d species
of feliciati6nnl that bore most disastrous
fruits.
Let us look. for moment, at the con-
! hict. On Friday, Commodore Foote en-
gagged the water batteries of Fort Donelson,
and was forced to with draw, badly crippled.
On Saturday, the 10Th, at dawn, the Rebels
massed against our right, and made fu.
rious attack. and achieved a partial sue
cess.
Where was Grant at this moment ? Was
be supervising the operations of the bat
tie Gen. Badeau says that he was down
on the flagship, 10 consultation with Com
modore Foote. He adds : "Grant was re-
turning to his headquarters from the flag
ship, at about o'clock, when he met an
Aid galIoping up to inform him of the as
sault: This aoas the first Information he had
of the battle
Is it not singular that. of all the army,
Grant alone was ignorant of the fight p
The writer of this waa not half mile from
Grant during the attack upon MoClernard,
aud he knew of its progress. Everybody
knew of it,. It was less than three miles
away. and the roar of the guns and the
volleys of musketry were heard with start
ling distinctness. Everybody knew of the
fight, and had the most gloomy forboodings
Of its ultimate result.
Now, where was Grant during the pro-
gress of the fight The writer Of this was
at a point where the road which led back
to Fort Donelson meets the river. Along
this road, on fierce gallop, came orderly
after orderly 10 search of the commanding
officer. OF these orderlies. some came
from the struggling right, and others from
the veteran Smith, on the left, asking per-
mission to make an assault, iE order to cre-
ate diversion in favor of McClernsrd.-
/ Where was Grant? He may have had a
consultation with Foote; but during the
most of the time be was on his own trans
port. What be was doing all these hours
was easily understood when, a little past
noon, the General aud his staff. red in the
face. aud unsteady in their position, went
galloping to the front.
IL reviewing the operations at Fort Don
elson, one cannot resist three conclusions,
! to-wit DBL
/. Immediate pursuit after the fall Of
Fort Henry would have given us DOnelsOn
on the succeeding day.
2. Grant knew nothing ofthe main ba'-
tie that occurred during disbursement oi
the place.
3. To Gen. c. F. Smith, more than any
other man. is the country indebted for the
capture ofthe works.
The facts in the Donelson matter will
warrant a second general conclusion. as
follows:
II. The inexcusable delay of Grant in
marching upon Donelson, and his absence
from the gold during most of the fighting,
led US into the presence ola disastrous de,
feat. and which was turned into q vic
tory through the pressing demands, the
Judgment and gallantry, of subordinate
oREET's VISIT TO HAsHvILLE.
The capture Of Fort Douelson occurred
on February 5, and the battle Of Shiloh in