The National tribune., 1884-02-14

like the blast of a trumpet. They plant their
banners on the works and fire their voleys into
the retreating foe. Stones battery gallops over
the meadow, over the logs, up the hill, the
horses leaping and plunging as if they, too,
knew that victory was hanging in the scale.
The gunners spring from their seats, wheel
their pieces and throw their shells, an enfilad-
ing fire, into the upper works.
Hurrah! hurrah hurrahl' rings through
the forrest, down the line to Wallace's men.
We have carried the works."
"We are inside!p shouts an officer, bearing
the welcome news.
The men toss their caps in the air. They
shake hands, they shout, and break into sing
ing. They forget all their hardships and suf-
ferings, the hungry days, the horrible nights,
the wounded and the dead. The success is
worth all the sacrifice.
20, awful hours when grape and shell
Tore through the unilinching Incl
Stand firm! remove the men who fell;
Close up and wait the sign!
II comes at last. Now lads the steeli
The rushing hosts deployi
Charge, boysi The beaten traitors reel
Huzza for Illinois
In vain thy rarnparts. Donelson,
The living torrent bars,
1t leaps the wall, the fort is won
Up go the stripes and stars!
THE SURRENDER.
There was a council of Confederate officers at
General Floyd's headquarters. Nearly all the
brigade commanders were present. They We're
down-hearted. General Floyd and General
Pillow blamed General Buckner for not adj
yancing earlier.
81 advanced as soon as l could, and my
troops fought as brayely as Others said Buck
ner.
well, here we are, and it is useless to re-
new the attack with any hope of success. The
men are exhausted" said Floyd,
1--WE can cut our way out" said Major Brown,
commanding the goth Mississippi.
:" Some Of US might escape, but the attempt
would be attended with great slaughter" said
Floyd.
I'VE have got to surrender, for aught see"
said an officer.
:" / will not surrender the command; neither
viii / be taken prisoner" said Floyd.
- don't intend to be taken prisoner" added
Pillow.
There were three small steamboats, in the
river. Floyd marched his Virginia regiments
on board. Pillow accompanied him. The boats
swung into the stream and moved up the river.
So they fed, leaving Buckner to surrender to
General Grant.
At daybrcak white flag waved above the
breastworks and an officer came out with
letter for General Grant, asking for an armis-
tice till noon.
"No terms other than unconditional and im-
to move Immediately upon your works" was
the answer.
In the cabin of the steamboat Uncle Sam the
two commanders met. and General Buckner
surrendered nearly thirteen Thousand men,
sixty-seven cannon and fifteen thousand small
arms.
SUNDAY IN NASHVILLE.
Let US go up to Nashville. 1t is Sunday
moraing. AT noon Saturday General Pillow
bod afay,- Nm of
der, the day is ours"
There is great rejoicing Tho newspapers
have put out bulletins, and the crowds in the
streets are reading Them
Enemy retreating! Glorious result! Our
boys following and pressing their rear! d COM
plete victoryI"
horsennau comes tearing through the street
shouting: " Fort Donelson has surrendered,
and the Yankees are coming"
| Never before such an excitement in Nashville
as at that moment. People began TO pack up
| their goods, loading them on carts and wagons
Before noon the steamboats, arrived with
! Floyd and Pillow. Johnston's troops from
/ Bowling Green were passing through the city
towards Murfreesboro'. The people had sup
| posed that Johnston would defend the city, but
when they saw the troops moving away they
| became frantic with despair.
/ When Johnston's army was across the Cum
berland, the beautiful wire suspension bridge.
which had cost more than two hundred thou
sand dollars, was destroyed. The Confederates
had more than a million dollars worth of sup
plies in the city, which they could not remove.
| The people rushed into the store-houses, helped
themselves to flour, sugar. meat clothing, shoes
and whisky.
In an hour they passed from wild enthusi-
asin TO reckless despair, all their bright hopes
and fond expectations fading away never again
| to return.
ITO be continued