The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-19


hundred wounded and missing
But of this chaotic retreat grow :,
spirit OF nati"naiism that WAS destined
To meet it's zoe on more than two thou
sand battlchclis and 10 wage a four
years war that has no parallel In the
worlds history.
II, on this mi-ccntcnniaI. some
great American painter could produce
this historic spectacle on canvas 1t
would become one Of the worlds great
masterpieces.
First t"nfrdcrntc Nctrcat tn lie OBJ
served Next February.
ON next February will occur the nf-
ticth anniversary of the first great re
treat of the soldiers of the Confcdcracy,
which. in the beauty OF it's setting
has equally admirable color for an
American artist
Seventy months had passed since tho
Union army had He'd so prccipitatcly
from tho battlefield of Bull Run. and
IN that time the soldiers Of the North
had been rcScucratcd.
1T was midnight Winter had set
tied over Tennessee. NJ the hcaduuart-
ers OF General Pillow sat the Held and
general officers of the Confederate
army. Deep gloom was pictured on
every wcathcr-w"rn face. Thirty thou
sand grim faced ana bloodstaincd war
! ponelson on every side. except where
/ the Cumberland liivcr flowed swiftly
BY Theirs had been a stern task
To drive the gallant Southcrncrs within
the fort and to hold them at thcii
mcrcN. Now they lay rolled up in their
blankets, sleeping on their arms.
The last council of war in Fort
Donclsun was in progress. The face
of General Floyd appeared CHASTITY in
the aim light
Well gentlemen. what is now best
, TO be done" he asked slowly.
The members of the council were TOO
deeply moved to reply. Finally one of
tic generals suggested that they cut
! their way out and retreat. iiut IL was
shown that thrcc-fourths of the sol
di.rS would he cut down in the attempt.
The argument was prolonged into the
night. Standing back from the GROUP
of senior officers was acavalier who not
only would not surrender. but asked
permission to attack the whole Federal
army himself When the final decision
to escape with all they could and TO
surrender the balducc---was reached. the
stern faced cavalier Forrest, arose. Ills
voice was low but firm:
Gentlemen" he said. II cannot sur
render either myself OF my men. II
the fort falls il must fan without us"
his troopers His voice was tense:
Men, the fort is to surrender Follow
ne ana Will try to take YOU out
safely. am going. if have to so
alone, ana die in the attempt"
Midnight Retreat In snow-s'orm on
the Cumberland.
In the carly morning hours, with the
snow beginning TO fail. the hoofbcats
of 2oo horsemcn could he heard along
the frozen ground leading to the rear
of the forts and the river roads. The
night was bitter cold, ii February wind
whisucd through the bare trees. ice
gathered everywhere.
The foremost horse placed his foot
upon the Ice covering the slough: the
second foot followed and ,hen both
horse ana rider rashed.through. Spurs
and coaNing induced the stGcd To plunge
In ana the crossing began. anu the
2oO troopers splashcd across whIic
/ the freed wafer washed up to their
waists.
When dawn came. Forests cavalry
| was far on is mad sallop along the
/ roads leading to Nashville Forrest
had escaped unframed, and Generals
Floyd ANA Pillow followed on the hos
nital and transport boats in the river.
The crossing occupied all the night
and whom daylight came a horde of
refugees was seen huddlcd near the
landing awaiting their turn.
In the meantime. General Buckncr,
the Junior general. who had agreed to
say and surrender the fort, had sent
his message of capitulution to Grant
ana was fearful that the dallying OF the
troops AT the landing would place them
| IN the hands OF the FcdcralS He de-
iachcd messenger with this warn
! ing:
| 'if those boa t., do not leave The land
ing immediately / will turn my guns
! upon them" rhcu The gallant, old
warrior, after the boats had lied pre-
| 'ipitatcly sat down like an ola Roman
and awaited the arrival of his captors,
10 deliver nearly 1000 Confcdcratcs
| who had II" opportunity to safely en-
EaEc in that midnight flight from the
doomed Fort pon"Ison.
! Midsummer RETREAT Among the Flow
crs of Virginia.
In artistic contract with this mid
! winter scene is the famous seven
. DAY ; retreat. Inc nftioth anniversary
"i which is To occur next Tune. 1t is a
! pageant of bloasominE flowers. along
} roads lined with roses and honey
! "ucklcs ana is considered one of the
| most shlful during the war
| IN the ranks of tho Grand Army of
! the Potomac l0",oo0 strong that tnarch-
lea hp the Peninsula In conquest of the
| Confederate capital at Richmond wcr.
I many of the men who had turned from
| IN" blasts Of Bcaurcgard's guns at
| Hull Kun Since that famous rctrcnt
! they had passed through the school
! "i a"ldicry' and now stood as warriors
F. Ihc ilrst shock had been a memorable
/ experience, ana they were now prcpar-
lhE l" enter upon the second campaign
IN virginia and to again retreat be-
al