CAIRO, Feb. 28.
I learn from a gentleman thoroughly conversant with Kentucky, that the rebels are dismounting their guns at Columbus and that the work of evacuation is still going on. Several transports are lying at Columbus to carry off troops.
Every man going into Columbus is inspected, even farmers with teams.
Several hundred negroes were sent into the interior yesterday. This is from a reliable source.
The rebel war department has called on Tennessee for thirty-two more regiments.
From rebel papers I learn that dispatches had been received at Nashville, from Jeff. Davis, addressed to Gen. Johnston, directing him to hold the city at all hazards.
The rebel army is now retreating towards Murfreesboro. The re-crossed the Cumberland, and would make a stand north of the city, at Fort Zollicoffer, which would be held against the gunboats if possible.
Official dispatches received at Knoxville, say that an ample force will advance from Richmond to protect East Tennessee.
Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, has taken the field in person.
Two spans of the Tennessee river bridge, at Danville, are no floating down the Mississippi past Columbus.
The report of Beauregard’s illness is unfounded. He left Corinth, Tennessee, on the 19th.
The State officers of Tennessee are hereafter to be located at Memphis.
Three hundred and eighty of the Federal Donelson prisoners had arrived at Memphis.
Steamers are taking sugar from Memphis to New Orleans, where the article is in request.
The Memphis Avalanche says persons reported to have left Gen. Johnston’s command, say he entertained no doubt of his ability to re-enter Nashville whenever he wished to do so. The plan was to get Buell between Nashville and the Cumberland.
The same paper says Tennessee is bleeding at every pore; her former prestige is obscured, and she must arouse to arms and vindicate her chivalry, patriotism, and former renown, or be forever held with contempt by her soldiers in their race for independence and renown.
The Avalanche therefore advocates the formation of guerilla bands, armed with rifles of a long range, to establish themselves behind trees, logs and bends of the Tennessee roads, to pick off the Lincoln pilots, and that such a corps of sharpshooters will be as great a terror to the Federal steamers as their gunboats were at Donelson.
It estimates the Federal loss at Donelson at 6,000 killed and wounded, and places the Confederate loss at 1,500, and says the prisoners, 10,000 strong, passed Paducah for Alton in fine spirits, shouting for Jeff. Davis and the Southern Confederacy.
A battalion of Confederate cavalry, from Paris, Tenn., on a scouting expedition in the direction of Tennessee river, was betrayed by a guide, who led them into an ambuscade prepared by the Federal troops, but they escaped with slight loss.
On Monday, the day to which the Tennessee Legislature adjourned, the Memphis papers state that there was no quorum and difficulty was anticipated in getting an organization.
The stern-wheel steamer Dr. Kane, loaded with pig iron for Pittsburg and Cincinnati, struck a floating log while coming out of the Mississippi into the Ohio last evening, which knocked a hole in her bow, causing the boat to sink at the levee. No lives were lost, and the books and papers were saved. The cabin separated from the wreck and floated off in the direction of Columbus.
SECOND DISPATCH
The rebels having now concentrated at Murfreesboro, Tenn., the Tennessee troops are anxious to lay down their arms, but are prevented by regiments form Mississippi. Gen. Buell had surrounded them so that none could escape. The rebels offered to surrender the position if allowed to march with the honor of war, but Gen. Buell refused and demanded unconditional surrender.
He said he would allow them two days for consideration, and if the place was not surrendered at the expiration of that time he would open fire on them. The time expired this morning.
Nashville was occupied on the 25th by the Union forces.
Gen. Nelson’s brigade first entered, and the flag of the Union was hoisted on the State House by Gen. Nelson.
Many of the citizens are strong secessionists, but very many warmly greeted the flag.
The rebel army left on Sunday, and left behind 1,600 sick and wounded of the Fort Donelson garrison.
They destroyed bridges, burned all the steamboats but one, which escaped. This one came to Clarksville to obtain the aid of our gunboats and prevent the burning of the city.
The Texan soldiers fired the city in many places, but the citizens extinguished the flames. A great majority of the property owners remained. The excitement was intense. Gov. Harris made a speech to the people, saying he had done all he could and was going to leave, and advised them to follow suit.
The Legislature adjourned in the utmost consternation of the news from Fort Donelson. Harris fled with the archives, the Legislature with carpet-bags, and the whole concern was off in two hours.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 3, 1862, p. 1
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