Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1868-10-02

] -
fort, could take other intrenchments IN
/ reverse. Buckner, opposite Smiths
/ division, said he could not withstand
/ any attack half an hour. 1t WAS evi-
dent they must surrender; but now
/ Floyd declared that he would not do
/ this.
History delights to tell US of the
| wounded CalnbrOne at Waterloo, who
shouted n deteaf, "The Guard dies,
but never suFrenders!fi ST can desert,
| but not surrender Would have been
/ the more appr 3priate exclamation OF
I Floyd. This was a becoming episode
/ in F1Oyd's history, He had been Sec
retary of War under James Buchanan,
and had been guilty of a financial ir-
regularity" By which the government
had lost nine hundred thousand dol
lars,-an operation for which, in Eng~
land, he would have been furnished
with a passage to Botany Bay at gov
ern nment expense; but, that Gov. Floyd
might rival the citizens o% that celebfa-
ted colony. he united treason to theft,
and now added to these desertiOn to
the flag he had chosen and the soldiers
who fought by his side.
Gen. Pillow followed his example;
both declaring that personal reasons
controlled themp' meaning Obably,
the fear that they would be hung If they
fill into the hands of tue Unied States.
FlOYd turned his command over to PHI
{ ~
ike a soIdieFrha determined to share
the fate of his men. He Immediately
sent a note in diplomatic style to Grant
suggesting an armtssice. Without
waiting an answer, Floyd and Pillow
stole out in the dark, hoping to get on
board a boat, unknown to the soldiers;
but the men had rumOrs of what their
commanders were doing, and crowded
to the landing, where they greeted them
with curses and hisses loud and deep,
[s'Such was the want Of all order and
discipline by this time on shore, that a
wild rush was made for the boat on
which the captain said would swamp
her unless he pushed away iLn ulediately.
This was done; and about sunrise, the
boat on which I was-the other having
gone-left the shore. By this precise
m ode I effected my escape; and, after
leavingthe wharf, The department. will be
pleased to hear that 1 encountered no
danger whatever from the eaemg."-
FiOyd's Report.
A while after the first streak of day
light, as Grant was preparing to attack,
a white flag was seen flying from the
ramparts of Fort Donelson; and Grant
received the following letter under the
flag of truce =
HEADQUARTERS, FoRT DoNELsoNl Z
Feb, Is, 1862.
Sir-Iu consideration of all the cir
eumstances governing the present situ-
alton of affairs at this station, propose
to The commanding officer Of the Fed
eral forces the appointment of commits
sioners to agree upon terms of capitula-
ton of the forces I hold under my
command; and, in that -ieW, suggest
IN armistice until twelve o'clock to-
day.
S. B. BUcKNER, Brig.-Gen. c. S. A.
To Brig.-Gen. Grant, commanding U. S.
Forces Fort DonelsOn.
But Grant had learned during the
night the true state of affairs, and in
stantly replied as follows:
HEADoUARTERsl ARMY IN THE FIELD
CAMP NEAR DoNELsoN, Feb. IA. 1862. /
To Gen. s. B. Buckner, Confederate /
f.rrry,-Yours oftnis, proposing an ar
Hlistice, and appointment OF com mis-
sioneTs to settle terms Of cHpitnlatton,
is lust received. No other terms than an
unconditional and immeditte surrender
can he accepted. I propose 10 moveInl-
mediately upon your works. [ am, sir,
very respectfully your obedient ser
U. S. GRANT,
Brig-Gen. U. S. A. commanding.
Gen. Buckner accepted these terms
in the following reply:-
HEADQUARTERS DOVER, Tenn Feb. 1852
To Brighten. Grant, q. s. A.
SIR,@The distri button of forces un-
der my command incident to an Dn-
expected change of commanders, and
the overwhelming force under your
command, compel me. Notwithstanding
the brilliant success of the Confederate
arms yesterday, TO accept the ungener-
Gus and unchiValrOus terms which you
propose. am, sir, your very Obe-
s. B. BUcKNER. Brig.-Gen. G. s. A.
The results of this victory were sixty
i've guns, seventeen Thousand six hun
dred small-arms, nearly fifteen thons-
and soldiers, with horses, mules and !
army supplies. Our loss was about TWO
Thousand men.
After the surrender, up went the stars
and stripes, greeted by tumultuOus
cheers; Al, d the sun shone bright and
warm as II TO 1Itumln6 the victory
AS the different divisions marched
into the works, their regimentaI ban
ners from different States, the music, /
the loud huzzas, the proud steps of the
victorious sold ers, made one of the
grand historic pictures of the war.
Gen. Grant made his headquarters
upon boat which hap pened 10 have
the significant name of "New Uncle
SAM" and it was in the cabin of this
steamer that the formal surrender was
made.
Buckner was social. They had been
classmates at West Point. Grant stat
ed that he had no desire to humiliate
the prisoners; that the officers might
retain their side arms, but horses and |
public property must be given up
Gen. Buckoer acknowledged that it had
been the intention ofthose in command
to cut their way out; but they were de-
feated by Grants movements.
When the transports were about to
leave for the North with the rebel pris-
ORers, Gen. Buckner asked Gen. Grant
to visit his men, and, as they crowded
around, told them that their victor had
treated them with magnanimity and
kindness.
After while, at a signal from Com.
Foote, the boat with Gen. Grant and
staff on board, followed by the gum
boat " "FlotiIIa,'' steamed up past !, the
fort to Dover, all the guns firing the
national salute.
Gen. Grant issued the following con-
gratulatory order to his troops
Headquarters, District of West Tenn.
Fort Donelson, Feb IA, 1862.
The general commanding takes great
pleasure in congratulating the troops
Of his command for The triumph over
rebellion, gained by their valOr, Oh the
18th, l4th, and 10th instant.
For four successive nights, without
shelter, during the most iuclemPnt
weather known in this ititude, they
faced an enemy in large force, in a pos
sitiOn chosen by himself Though
strongly fortified by ma ure, all the adj
dItfonsl sa ieguards suggest 4 by science
were added. Without tnurmur this
WIS borne; prepared at all times 70 re-
ceive an attack, and with Continuous
skirmishing by day, resulting, ull-
rnately in forcing he euenly to surren
der without conditions.
The victory ach -ived is not only great
IN the effect it viii have in breaking
rebellion, but has lsecured the greatest
| number or prisoners OF war ever taken
| iu any battle on this continent.
Fort DOnelsOn will hereafter be mark
/ ed in capitals on the map Of our united
country; and the men VINO fought the
battle Will live in the memory of q
grateful people.
s u. s. GRANT,
Brig.-Geh. commanding.
Many interesting and accusing scenes
occur. ed. twas here on one Of the
/ Transports laden with prisoners, that