USA > Tennessee > The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and early western history, including a chronological summary of battles and engagements in the western armies of the Confederacy > Part 22
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" In conformity with the letters of Mr. Lincoln, of which the foregoing is a copy, you are requested to proceed to Washington City for informal conference with him upon the issues involved in the existing war, and for the purpose of se- curing peace to the two countries.
Your obedient servant,
JEFFERSON DAVIS."
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I do not know how anyone could have expected me, under the trust which I held from the people of the Confederate States, to pro- pose to surrender, at discretion, the rights and liberties for which the best and bravest of the land were still gallantly struggling, and for which so many had nobly died. The "matter they had at heart" was to maintain the rights their fathers had left them. My heart sym- pathized with theirs, feeling that duty and honor alike forbade that I should seek peace on conditions which our army, depleted as it was, would have rejected with disdain.
If, while the army defiantly held its position in the field, the sov- ereign people and their representatives in the Congress of the Confed- crate States, under the pressure of war, and dread of possible conse- quences, had wished to abandon the claims in defense of which the war was waged, and that the battle-torn flags should be furled and cased in humiliation, and the arms so long and valiantly borne, should be stacked for surrender, I should have bowed to their will, but would never have executed it. In shame and mortification I would have resigned and left the office to be filled by some one fit for such service as has been indicated. Through all I have suffered and lost, it has been to me an unfailing consolation, that I served a people and a cause worthy of any sacrifice which man could make, and I truly regret the recent revelations which have developed obstructions con- cealed from me and from the people, when I was zealously laboring to fulfil the duties of the office with which they had honored me.
Freely admitting my liability to err, and lack of strength adequate to the heavy burthens imposed upon me, if honesty of purpose and zeal for the public welfare be admitted, as I believe they always have been, from them there surely arose a fair claim, all the stronger for any deficiencies ascribed to me, for the full co-operation, frank deal- ing, and steady support of all who wished the success of our cause. If so, what shall be said of secret caucuses, concealed plans, to em- barrass the Executive, and to undermine the confidence and good will of the people in the administration they had chosen, and thus to destroy the corner-stone, and work the inevitable ruin of the Confed- cracy ?
With very sincere regard and esteem, yours, JEFFERSON DAVIS.
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DIARY OF PRIVATE W. J. DAVIDSON.
[Continued.]
'T (UESDAY, May 26 .- Still at our camps near Jackson doing ab- solutely nothing, living on the shortest possible commons. Had dress-parade yesterday for the first time in four weeks, and on Sunday a sermon from the lips of the Reverend Colonel Fountain E. Pitts. The news from all quarters is cheering; the victory of our Vicksburg friends is complete, and the loss of the enemy is estimated at fifteen thousand (15,000) ; we hear of John Morgan's work on the Cumberland, Lee's victory over Hooker in Virginia, while " Old Pap Price is said to be stirring the enemy up lively on the other side of the Mississippi. Kirby Smith, we also hear, has bagged a whole army of " blue coats" in Western Louisiana Altogether, we feel quite confi- dent, and while the feeling lasts we will be able to endure all sorts of privations, short rations not excepted.
May 28 .- This morning at four o'clock we left our camp of the last four days, and came to our present abiding place, in a thick grove, about two miles east of Canton. We are well situated as far as shade and wood are concerned, but the water is very bad; in fact, all that we have had for the last four weeks was hardly fit for swine to wallow in. Yesterday our hearts were gladdened by the arrival in camp of some of our Tennessee friends who, hearing that we had been en- gaged at the battle of Raymond, and being ignorant of the casualties, had come on to render any needed assistance to their sons and friends. The party was composed of Messrs. Goodloe Woods, the father of "Our Jeems"; R. S. Woodard, the father of Galen and James (or " Daddy," as we call him); W. H. Webb, James' father ; D. P. Hol- man, " Bud's dad"; and R. P. Ferney, the father of our gallant Cap- tain. Their presence seemed to have brought a new ray of sunshine into camp, and cheered the boys greatly.
May 31, noen .- Yesterday morning the brigade left Canton, head- ing northwest. We made twenty miles and encamped for the night in a grove convenient to water, badly broken down by the march. Our division is now composed of five or six brigades of infantry and cav- alry, under acting Major General Walker, and it is in fine fighting
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spirits. Nothing of interest on the route yesterday, except the cross- ing of the Big Black on a pontoon at 3 o'clock, P. M. To-day we. have made about eight miles, and are now halted in a hot lane await- ing orders. The Forty-first Tennessee is the advance guard for the division. We have passed the little town of Benton, and are in eight miles of Yazoo City ; by day after to-morrow we expect to meet the enemy. Besides our own, there are two other columns marching on the enemy, each said to be fourteen thousand strong, the whole under command of General Joseph E. Johnston. It is thought to be his in- tention to fall upon the enemy's rear at three points, while the Vicks- burg garrison assails from the front. I expect some bloody work, but we are confident of the result.
Camp near Yazoo City, June 1 .- The division arrived here after dark last night. The troops suffered greatly from heat, thirst, and fa- tigue. Two of our brigade dropped dead, and some fainted, while . more than half are straggling into camp this morning. We traveled all yesterday without water except what we could get through charity of the citizens on the route.
June 6. --- Left our camp yesterday, and moved to our present stop- ing place, four miles southwest of Yazoo City. We are on half ra- tions of corn bread and poor beef.
June 9. - Still at our camp of the 6th inst., with plenty of wood and abundance of good spring and lake water; no improvement in the rations. Yesterday I went to Yazoo and bought rice, sugar and molasses, upon which the mess is living high. No news of the enemy, but can- nonading is heard every day in the direction of Vicksburg. Heavy bodies of troops are arriving every day at Jackson, and it is thought that we will make an advance before long. The health of our brigade is pretty good.
June 14 .- Left camp in the vicinity of Yazoo yesterday morning at daylight, and after a hard day's march nearly due south, arrived at the Big Black, which we crossed on a pontoon bridge last night at eight o'clock. This march of twenty-eight miles was the hardest yet made. We bivouaced on the south bank, and spent the rest of the night cook- ing rations, against leaving at daylight.
June 16 .- On Sunday evening left Big Black and moved to Church, occupying our old camping ground of May 20th, where we are resting and waiting orders. Occasional cheering reports come in from our beseiged friends, one of which is to the effect that the enemy
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attacked Vicksburg again on Friday, and was repulsed and driven five miles from the field ; our loss said to be seven hundred. From some causes we are placed under greater restrictions now than ever, and are not allowed to go outside of the guard line without a pass. Yesterday two men of Comb's Tennessee Battalion, who had fallen out of rank, at Yazoo, came up and were immediately arrested, tried, and had one side of their heads shaved, all in the space of a few hours. Rations still short, consisting of beef and meal.
July 5. - Last Wednesday we moved from our encampment at Mound Bluff Church, and after two days' marching, came to this place, and we are now encamped on - Creek, between Canton and Edwards' Depot, and twelve miles from the latter place. The enemy's out-posts are only three miles off, beyond the Big Black, and a collision is expected at any hour. The situation at Vicksburg is un- changed, as far as we know, but General Price is in possession of Helena, Arkansas, which will create a diversion in favor of the be- sieged, as he is in a position to cut off Grant's supplies. The "Fourth " passed off very quietly with us, there being an order against making any loud noise. A speech was made by some one in a brigade just across the creek from us. Night .--- We have just received orders to march at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning with this additional injunc- tion : "On this march there is to be no loud hallooing, firing of guns, or cutting down of large trees. The men are to march in their files, and company officers are to see that this order is enforced or they will be cashiered. Penalty for the disobedience of this order is death." This order, signed by the Commanding General, together with the va- . rious reports of the enemy's movements, put us on the tip-toe of ex- pectation as to what was up. The very latest is to the effect that Gen- eral Pemberton has surrendered to General Grant. The news comes so direct, and bears such a good face, that we all believe it. We are now satisfied we are to begin a retreat in the morning; whither, we know not.
July 7 .- While waiting for the brigade to move, I will endeavor to write up what transpired yesterday. At about I A. M. we were aroused from sleep with orders to fall into line, but no movement was made for nearly two hours. We saw that the wagon-train was in front, and this indicated a fight or a retreat ; at 3 o'clock we began the march at a quick gait, which was kept up until evening, when we bivouaced on the Jackson road, fifteen miles from that place, and three from Clinton.
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We had passed in a few miles of the enemy early in the morning, but so silently that he was probably unaware of the movement. The wagon train was sent by another route for safety. We now have con- firmation of the news from Vicksburg. There is no longer any doubt about its truth. The place surrendered after the garrison had subsisted ten weeks upon mule meat and pea meal. The officers and men are to be brought within our lines and parolled, the officers to retain their side arms. It is said that there is a heavy column of the enemy, under General Osterhaus, following in our wake. General Johnston is having the pond, which afforded water to the army last week, ditched off, and to make it palatable for our pursuers, is having dead mules thrown into it. It is the only chance for them to get water this side of Big Black. Bragg's army is reported falling back to Chattanooga, leaving our homes to the mercy of the foe. It is now ten o'clock, and Ector's Brigade, which is in line of battle in our rear, and ours are all the troops left here, the rest having gone ahead.
July 8. Evening .- Yesterday we made short marches, halting at every good shade to rest. The heat was very oppressive. At Clinton a brigade was sent to meet the enemy, reported to be advancing on the Raymond road. The force in pursuit is said to be close up. Cheering news from General Lee's army to-day. At nine o'clock ar- rived at Jackson in a heavy storm, which raised the dust in great quan- tities as we marched through the streets, and the rain followed about the time we reached our camping place, a mile east of the city. It is probable that the place will be evacuated as soon as the stores can be sent off-probably to-morrow; but no one knows where this army is going. Old Joe is too old to tell anybody that.
Jackson, July 14 .- We took position in the ditches early in the morning of the 9th, and have been here ever since, under fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and occasionally of their batteries. The open- ing shots of the second siege of Jackson were heard on the Clinton road on the morning of the 9th, where Jackson's Cavalry were disput- ing the advance of Grant's army, and in the course of the day the firing grew nearer. A number of citizens abandoned their homes for a place of safety, and we had free access to their houses. The regi- ment was posted in a yard under fine shade trees, and nearly every man had a book, while some were seated in rosewood chairs. At ten o'clock General Johnston and staff rode along the trenches, and seemed in fine spirits, We drew crackers and bacon, and had our water
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hauled to us. Early on the morning of the 10th, it was reported that the enemy was advancing to storm our works, and at eight o'clock skirmishing and canonading were lively at the center. At 4 P. M. fir- ing began on our wing, (the right). Several prisoners were brought in during the afternoon, and it was reported that a Louisiana regiment had charged a battery, and captured two of its pieces. After night- fall several fine residences, outside of the lines, were set on fire to pre- vent the enemy's sharpshooters from taking shelter behind them, and :the vicinity was soon brilliantly lit up. Sharpshooting was kept up until late at night. At daylight on the morning of the 11th, the Yanks opened fire on our front from a clump of trees on a slight eminence, and their long-range guns enabled them to keep us in hot water, while very few of our guns could reach them. The firing was pretty con- stant all along the lines during the morning. Private Estes, of Cap- tain Cunningham's Company, was wounded in the temple, while look- ing over our breastworks, and another (name unknown) wounded in the hand. A call for fifty volunteers from the regiment, to act as sharpshooters, was promptly responded to. While on this service, in a cornfield, Private Renegar, of Captain Little's Company, was killed, and Corporal W. C. Gracy, of Captain Feeney's Company, severely wounded. This evening the Yanks made two vigorous charges on our right wing, and were badly repulsed. At 6 P. M. the artillery firing on the extreme left was very heavy. The Forty-first was ordered on picket, to remain twenty-four hours.
At 5 A. M., on the morning of the 12th, heavy skirmishing began along the entire line, and continued until nine o'clock, when the artil- lery opened, and rained on our works a terrible shower of shot and shell for the space of an hour. Our skirmishers were driven in by this fire, and we fully expected a charge to follow, but were doomed to dis- appointment. Throughout the day shells came at regular intervals, our guns replying slowly. About 9:30 A. M. fifty skirmishers from each regiment went out to recover the lost ground, which they suc- ceeded in doing after a sharp battle. At 11 o'clock heavy firing was heard on the left, and news soon came that Breckenridge's Division had signally repulsed the enemy with heavy loss to them in killed, wounded and prisoners, besides two stands of colors. This was soon confirmed by the appearance of the captured flags, which were borne along the entire line of our works. The casualties in the Forty-first, in this day's operations, were three men wounded. On July 13th
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skirmishing began in front of Gregg's Brigade before daylight, and continued briskly all day. Barrett and Robinson, of Captain Cunning- ham's Company, came in off picket and said they had killed a Yank. Some of the boys afterwards went to the spot they pointed out, and brought off the body, when it proved to be a member of the Third Tennessee. He was in advance of the line, and hence this mistake.
On the 14th there was very little change in the state of affairs. At one o'clock a truce of three hours was held, to enable the enemy to bury his dead. There was quite a mingling of the Gray and the Blue during the cessation of hostilities on this part of the line. Two or three casualties occurred in the regiment during the day, among them Private Goodrum, wounded in the head, while seated at the bottom of the ditch. [To be continued.]
THE EVACUATION OF NASHVILLE.
The Panic that Succeeded the Fall of Fort Donelson-Incidents Connected with the Surrender of the City.
BY JNO. MILLER M'KEE.
"It would be argument for a week, laughter for a month, and a good jest forever."-SHAKSPEARE.
HE panic which the announcement of the fall of Fort Donelson created is without a parallel in the history of Nashville, and a narration of the events of the three or four days that preceded it is necessary to a proper understanding of the subject.
Immediately after the fall of Fort Henry, it became evident that the next point to be attacked by the Federal Army would be Fort Donelson, and vigorous efforts were made by the Confederates to pre- pare that post for the expected onslaught. The extent to which these preparations were carried was such as to inspire confidence in the strength of the Fort and the ability of the garrison to withstand a com- bined land and water attack. The commencement of the fight was announced in the following dispatch to the Nashville Union and Ameri- can, received here the night of its date :
CUMBERLAND CITY, Feb. 12 .- One Federal gun-boat appeared in sight of Fort Donelson this morning about 10 o'clock, and opened fire upon the Fort. The fire was-returned by the Fort, when the boat retired.
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The Federals have landed in force, and a battle, with light artillery, commenced this evening. They are reported to have ten or twelve thousand. The steamer bringing the news says the battle was raging when it left, but knew nothing further.
This intelligence, which was made public on the morning of the 13th, created no alarm for the safety of the Fort, as it was understood that large reinforcements had been sent forward, and were still being sent, to the relief of those who garrisoned that post.
The attack was renewed on the 13th, and the following account of it by telegraph to the Nashville Union and American was from a source in whom the fullest confidence was placed :
First Dispatch.
FORT DONELSON, Feb. 13, 11:30 A.M .- The enemy commenced the attack on our lines with his artillery this morning before sunrise, to which our batteries promptly replied, and the firing has continued up to the present time, increasing, as the fight progressed, in the number of pieces, and occasionally in the rapidity . of the firing. The enemy has kept at a respectful distance. The field artillery was engaged all along the line.
We feel confident that we shall be able to maintain our river defenses.
Second Dispatch.
2:45 P.M .- The enemy has ceased firing, possibly that he may change his posi- tion. We have so far repulsed him at every point of our lines.
Captain Dixon, of the Engineers, was killed in the battery by an injury to his gun-carriage. Lieutenant Burns, of the Artillery, was killed.
The enemy's gun-boat has retired, and we think it was seriously injured. Our men are in fine spirits.
Third Dispatch.
The day has almost past, and we still hold our own. We have repulsed the enemy everywhere, and driven back his gun-boat. We have whipped him by both land and water. He still lies around, and will most probably attack us again in the morning.
Our loss is not very great ; that of the enemy must be very heavy.
We have had lively fighting and heavy cannonading all around our lines throughout the day.
The fire from our guns told effectively upon the enemy's gun-boat, and we feel satisfied the boat was materially injured, as it retired twice.
Our lines are entrenched all around.
This intelligence excited high anticipations for the success of the Confederates, and those anticipations were heightened by the result of the contest on the 14th, which was announced by telegraph to the Nashville Union and American, as follows :
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First Dispatch.
FORT DONELSON, Feb. 14 .- The enemy's gun-boats opened fire upon the Fort this afternoon at half past three o'clock.
Second Dispatch.
Six of the enemy's gun-boats attacked the Fort this afternoon. A terrific fight of near two hours ensued. Not a man or gun on our side was hurt. Two of the gun-boats were badly injured and a third was crippled. All retired. General Pillow was in command. No demonstration was made by the infantry to-day. The enemy is believed to have received reinforcements. We expect to have it all around to-morrow.
Third Dispatch.
We have just had the fiercest fight on record between our guns and the ene- my's gun-boats, which lasted two hours.
The gun-boats came within two hundred yards of our battery. We drove them back, damaging two of them badly and crippling a third. No damage was done to our battery, and not a man was killed.
This intelligence was published here the morning of the 15th. About this time it became noised about the city that Bowling Green, which everybody regarded as impregnable, was being evacuated, coupled with which was a statement, as coming from General John- ston, that no additional reinforcements could be sent to Fort Donel- son. It was further stated the evening of the 14th that the evacua- tion of Bowling Green had so far progressed as to leave but a small portion of the Confederate troops and a limited amount of stores there. A rumor was circulated about the city that evening (the 14th) that the Federals had appeared in considerable force on the opposite side of Barren River from Bowling Green, that they had shelled and burned the town, captured several cars and engines and a large amount of provisions, and had cut off the retreat of a portion of the rear guard of the Confederate troops. This rumor, like all ill-omened rumors, spread with great rapidity and exerted a depressing influence upon the people. The extraordinary movements about the Commis- sary and Ordnance Departments, which had been going on for two or three days, excited much apprehension concerning the safety of Nash- ville, it being argued that if the authorities thought it prudent to re- move the public stores, they could not regard Nashville as entirely safe. These fears were, however, entirely removed by the first intelli- gence of the fight that day (the 15th), which was received and pub_ lished in an extra by noon, and which was succeeded by other extras, all inspiring the highest anticipations of victory. These dispatches,
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from the Nashville Union and American, Feb. 16th, are given here as they were published the morning of the 16th :
FORT DONELSON, Feb. 15, 10:30 A.M .- One of .the fiercest fights on record commenced here this morning about 7 o'clock on our left wing. We have driven the enemy past their camps with great slaughter. The fight is still raging on both sides. Just saw a Lincoln prisoner, who belongs to the Thirtieth Illinois Regiment, who says their forces number 50,000, and are commanded by General McClernand.
Our boys are fighting with great gallantry, driving the enemy as they go. Will give you the news as it comes from the field. Almost incessant discharges of mus- ketry and artillery going on ; but sound getting further off.
II A.M .- We have captured two of their batteries and repulsed them every- where. The fight is still going on.
II:5 A.M .- They say the loss on both sides is very heavy-the Yankees the most. . The Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama boys, and all the rest, are doing the thing finely.
Second Dispatch.
12:50 P.M .- I think I can safely say the day is ours. The enemy's loss is tre- mendous. About 200 Yankees are now here, who report their regiments nearly annihilated.
Third Dispatch.
I P.M .- We have whipped them by land and water. Not one of my men lost.
Fourth Dispatch.
We fought the enemy outside of our entrenchments from half past 5 A.M. to I P.M., driving them inch by inch from every point in the field, capturing four pieces of artillery and a large number of prisoners. Our loss is heavy, and we have inflicted a heavy loss upon the enemy. They are largely reinforced, and may attack us again.
Fifth Dispatch.
7 P.M .- To relieve this post of an investment, which would have soon reduced it, we attacked the enemy at daylight this morning outside our entrenchments. After seven hours hard fighting, we drove them completely from the field, killing not less than a thousand, and taking 250 prisoners and six pieces of artillery.
Late in the afternoon they received large reinforcements and attacked our right wing with fresh troops before our men returned to position. They at first gained a temporary advantage, but were driven back finally.
They are again receiving reinforcements this evening, and will probably renew the fight to-morrow. Our loss is heavy, but not near so severe as the enemy's. This is the bloodiest fight of the war.
The following dispatch, received at 12 o'clock the night of the 15th, was published in the Nashville Patriot, Feb. 16th :
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