The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-05
ARMY OF THE
CUMBERLAND

ANN vi 1IlE
CUMBERLAND
tcontinusd from page IL
bear men and wagons, Gen. Mitchell
pushed over the river and hurried after
the Confederate rear guard. but was
unable to oyertake them until they had
passed tho Cumberland River at Nash
vile and burned the bridge. He had
his batteries well to the front. and they
fred few shots at the trains leaving
tho city. with no other result than to
increase the CONSERVATION reigning
there.
Donelson reached Nashville on Sunday.
Feb. Is. and produced the utmost con-
sternation. The Confederate Cover
nor. Harris, Immediately convened the
Legislature. but they speedily adjourn
ed to Memphis, whittier the public
archives and money were also removed.
On the same day Gen. A. s. Johnston
passed through the city on his retreat
from Bowling Green, and before night
fall hundreds OF families were aban-
doning their homes and making their
way southwark. The general confu ion
was increased by the destruction Of UNI
finished steamers at the wharves. and
the free distribution Of the stores by
the military authorities to all who
lie stores were closed. and an effort
was made by Gen. Floyd. who had been
placed I'm command Of the city. to re-
cover what had already been given out:
but on Tuesday the distribution began
again. and continued until SATURDAY
morning. On Tuesday night the troops
destroyed the wire bridge and railroad
bridge across the Cumberland River. In
spite OF the earnest remonstra1ces Of
the leading citizens. The former cost
$4,000 and the latter $2s0.000 Gov.
Harris made a speech advising the citi-
zens to burn their private property. and
calling on Tennesseeans to rally and
meet him at Memphis. but little or NJ
response was made to his appear. The
machinery was removed from many Of
the most important workshops and car
ried to Chattanooga. On the 23d the
rear guard Of the Confederates evacu-
ated the city. and the same day the
advance Of Gen. MitcheIs column oc-
cupied Edgefield. a small town on tn"
day Mayor Cheatham and committee
from Nashville waited upon Gen. Buell.,
and agreed to surrender the city at a
certain hour on the following morning
(the 25th}, receiving assurances that
the liberty and property OF all citizens
should be sacredly respected. Before
the surrender was effected. however.
CeH NELSON arrived WITH Cb1uI1II
on transports accompanied by the gum
boat ST. Louis. and landed at Nashville.
The following proclamation was after
ward issued by the Mavor:
"The committee representing the CITY
authorities and the people have dis
charged their duty by calling on Gen.
Buell., at his headquarters at Edgef1eld.
on yesterday. The interview was sat-
isfactory to the committee. and there
Is every assurance Of safety and pro-
lection to the people both In their per-
sons and property. / therefore respect
fully request that business be resumed.
and that all our citizens OF every trade
and profession pursue their regular vo-
cations. The County elections will take
place on the regular day. and all civil
business will be conducted as hereto
fore. Commanding Gen. Buell. assures
me that I can rely upon his aid In en-
forcing our police regulations. One
branch OF business is entirely prohibit
ed. viz. the sale or giving away OF in
toxicating liquors. I shall not hesitate
to invoke the aid OF Gen. Buell. in case
violated. I most earnestly call upon
the people OF the surrounding country
who are inside the Federal lines to re-
sumo their commerce with the city and
bring in their market supplies. espe-
cially wood, butter ana eggs. assuring
them that they will be fully protected
and amply remunerated. -"
"R. B. Cheatham, Mayor"
The city remained perfectly quiet.
words OF the Confederate press, ''con-
Quoted themselves with marked pro-
priety. The Union feeling In the city.
however. was for weeks extremely
faint. A correspondent, writing 10
days after Gen. Buelfs arrival. says:
"The disagreeable but irresistible con-
viction forces itself upon the mind OF
even a superficial observer that what
ever the warmness and number OF
Unionists may have been at the time
when, and for some time after Tennes-
see was juggled out OF the Union. eight
out OF every 10 have been made sub
missionists by the protracted secession
pressure that was brought to bear upon
them" The same writer adds: "Most
OF the stores continue closed. But few
male and fewer female Inhabitants are
visible upon tho streets. Victorious
soidiery alone eniiven them. Half OF
the private residences are deserted. and
add further gloom to the aspect by
their closed doors and window shutters
and gravelike stiffness. Hardly less
than q third OF the population must
yet be absent"
Senator Andrew johnson. Military
Governor Of Tennessee. by appointment
Of President Lincoln. Horace Maynard,
NJ. C. Emerson Etheridge and other
prominent Union exiies, arrived at
Nashville on March IL. and the next
evening delivered speeches, which were
listened to with considerable favor by
q largo audience.
The newspapers OF Nashville had all
suspended publication on the evacua.
ton Of the city by the Confederates
but they soon reappeared. and one Of
Gov. Johnson's first official acts was
to place them under military supervis-
ion. The Daily Times in consequence
OF this measure was discontinued. On
April 10 q daily paper was started I'M
der the title OF the Daily Nashville
Union.
Taking the Oath OF Ailegiancs.
On the 25th Of March Gov. johnson
requested the municipal officers to take
tho oath Of allegiance. The City Coun-
Gil refused. by @ vote Of Is to l. and
the following reply was accordingly
sent to the Governor:
Gen. Andrew johnson, Military Gov
ernor Of the State OF Tennessee.
"Sir: Your communication OF the
25th inst, requiring the Mayor. men,
bers Of the City Council. police and
other city officials to take an oath to