Samuel Read Anderson

Samuel Read Anderson is dead. The Legislature of his adopted State, recognizing in him a worthy descendant of a Revolutionary sire, as a public recognition of his eminent services to his adopted State, while the rough gale of death sweeps him from the rising tide of earthly honors, doth declare that we recognize in him an example worthy of imitation by the members of this body. A wise counsellor in peace, a brave soldier in war, an honest public servant, who valued the opportunity of doing good higher than the perquisites of office, a citizen of unblemished reputation and a Christian hero whose life taught the sublime lesson that firmness of conviction in the discharge of public duty may be tempered with kindness and brotherly love. We further declare that this memorial be spread upon our minutes, and a copy furnished his family, with a tender of the sympathy of this body.

JOHN J. McCANN of Davidson,

W. A. BUNTIN of Robertson,

W. J. MALLORY of Dickson,

HALBERT B. CASE,

A. M. LOONEY.

SOURCE: House Journal of the Forty-third General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, which Convened at Nashville, on the First Monday in January, A. D. 1883, p. 54

Andrew Johnson’s Appeal to the People of Tennessee

FELLOW-CITIZENS:  Tennessee assumed the form of a body politic, as one of the United States of America, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety-six, at once entitled to all the privileges of the Federal Constitution, and bound by all its obligations.  For nearly sixty five years she continued in the enjoyment of all her rights, and in the performance of all her duties, one of the most loyal and devoted of the sisterhood of States.  She has been honored by the elevation of two of her citizens of the highest place in the gift of the American people, and a third had been nominated for the same high office, who received a liberal though ineffective support.  Her population had rapidly and largely increased, and their moral and material interests correspondingly advanced.  Never was a people more prosperous, contented and happy than the people of Tennessee under the government of the United States, and none so little burdened for the support of the authority by which they were protected.  They felt their Government only in the conscientious enjoyment of the benefits it conferred and the blessings it bestowed.

Such was our enviable condition until within the last year just past, when, under what baneful influences it is not my purpose no to inquire, the authority of the Government was set at defiance, and the Constitution and laws contempted, by a rebellious, armed force.  Men, who in addition to ordinary privileges and duties of the citizen, had enjoyed largely the bounty and official patronage of the Government, and have by repeated oaths, obliged themselves to its support, with sudden ingratitude for the bounty and disregard for their solemn obligation, engaged, deliberately and ostentatiously, in the accomplishment of its overthrow.  Many, accustomed to defer to their opinions and to accept their guidance, and others, carried away by excitement or overawed by seditious clamor, arrayed themselves under their banners, thus, organizing and treasonable power, which, for the time being, stifled and suppressed the authority of the Federal Government.

In this condition of affairs it devolved upon the President, bound by his official oath, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and charged by the law with the duty of suppressing insurrection and domestic violence, to resist and repel this rebellion force by the military arm of the Government, and thus to re-establish the Federal authority.  Congress, assembling at an early day, found him engaged in the active discharge of this momentous and responsible trust.  That body came promptly to his aid, and while supplying him with treasure and arms to an extent that wound previously have been considered fabulous, they, at the same time, with almost absolute unanimity, declared “that this war is not waged on their part in any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of these States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired; and that as soon as those objects are accomplished the war ought to cease.”  In this spirit, and by such co-operation, has the President conducted this mighty contest, until, as Commander-in-chief of the army, he has caused the national flag to float undisputed over the capitol of our State.  Meanwhile the State Government has disappeared.  The Executive has abdicated; the Legislature has dissolved; the Judiciary is in abeyance.  The great ship of State, freighted with its precious cargo of human interests and human hopes, its sails all set, and its glorious flag unfurled, has been suddenly abandoned by her officers and mutinous crew, and left to float at the mercy of the winds, and to be plundered by every rover upon the deep.  Indeed the work of plunder has already commenced.  The archives have been desecrated; the public property stolen and destroyed; the vaults of the State bank violated, and its treasures robbed, including the funds carefully gathered and consecrated for all time to the instruction of our children.

In such a lamentable crisis, the Government of the United States could not be unmindful of its high constitutional obligation to guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government, an obligation which every State has a direct and immediate interest in having observed towards every other State, and from which, by no action on the part of the people in any State, can the Federal Government be absolved.  A republican form of Government, in consonance with the Constitution of the United States, in one of the fundamental conditions of our political existence, by which every part of the country is alike bound, and from which no part can escape.  This obligation the national government is now attempting to discharge.  I have been appointed in the absence of the regular and established State authorities, as Military Governor for the time being, to preserve the public property of the State, to give the protection of the law actively enforced to her citizens and, as speedily as my be, to restore her government to the same condition as before the existing rebellion.

In this grateful but arduous undertaking, I shall avail myself of all the aid that may be afforded by my fellow citizens, and for this purpose I respectfully, but earnestly invite all the People of Tennessee, desirous of willing to see a restoration of her ancient government, without distinction of party affiliations, or past political opinions, or action, to unite with me, by counsel and co-operative agency, to accomplish this great end.  I find most, if not all of the offices, both State and Federal, vacated, either by actual abandonment, or by the action of the incumbents in attempting to subordinate their functions to a power in hostility to the fundamental law of the State, and subversive of her national allegiance.  These offices must be filled temporarily, until the State shall be restored so far to its accustomed quiet, that the people can peaceably assemble at the ballot-box and select agents of their own choice.  Otherwise anarchy would prevail, and no man’s life or property would be safe from desperate and unprincipled.

I shall, therefore, as early as practicable, designate for various positions under the State and county governments, from among my fellow citizens, persons of probity and intelligence, and bearing true allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the United States, who will execute the functions of their respective offices, until their places can be filled by the action of the people  Their authority, when their appointments shall have been made, will be accordingly respected and observed.

To the people themselves, the protection of the Government is extended.  All their rights will be duly respected, and their wrongs redressed when made known.  Those who through the dark and weary night of the rebellion have maintained their allegiance to the Federal Government will be honored.  The erring and misguided will be welcomed on their return.

And while it may become necessary, in vindicating the violated majesty of the law, and in re-asserting its imperial sway, to punish intelligent and conscious treason in high places, no merely retaliatory or vindictive policy will be adopted.  To those, especially, who in a private unofficial capacity have assumed an attitude of hostility to the Government, a full and complete amnesty for all past acts and declarations is offered, upon the one condition of their again yielding themselves peaceful citizens to the just supremacy of the laws.  This I advise them to do for their own good, and for the peace and welfare of our beloved State, endeared to me by the associations of long and active years, and by the enjoyment of her highest honors.

And appealing to my fellow citizens of Tennessee, I point them to my long public life as a pledge for the sincerity of my own motives and an earnest for the performance of my present and future duties.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 1

From Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, March 10. – An intelligent gentleman who left Memphis on Wednesday last, reports that the citizens are greatly alarmed and are relying on Fort Pillow, Near Fort Raldolph for defence.  There are very few troops at Memphis.

The Legislature succeeded, after several ineffectual attempts to transact business.

Gov. Harris is greatly excited, and is flying about from one southern point to another with little probability of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people to his aid.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

From Fortress Monroe

Rebel account of the Battle.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 11. – Many of the men belonging to the frigate Cumberland went down with her.  It is impossible to obtain a correct list of the killed, wounded and lost.

Lieut. Elbridge, of the Cumberland has been ordered to the command of the Monitor.

A flag of truce was sent to Craney Island to-day.

The rebel officers say the Merrimac (or as they call her the Virginia) was damaged, but nothing serious.  They admit their loss of several killed and wounded.  Capt. Buchanan who commanded, was seriously wounded in Saturday’s fight.  Capt. Johns commanded her on Sunday.

The Norfolk Day book, of yesterday, gives glowing accounts of the affair, and gives the total rebel loss at 9 killed and 12 wounded.  23 prisoners arrived at Norfolk taken from the Congress.

The Day Book also says the Monitor was seriously injured, and that some of our gun boats were sunk, and reports our loss at 600 to 1200.  The Day Book further adds: “Having accomplished the object for which they made the attack, and having no more material to work upon our vessels returned to the Navy Yard awaiting another opportunity.”

In the Rebel Congress yesterday, the operations of Gen. A. S. Johnson [sic] in Tennessee were discussed.

Mr. Atkins said nearly every member of the Tennessee Legislature signed a petition for his removal from that department.

The Beaufort correspondent of the Norfolk Day Book says that the Nashville is now lying at Morehead City.

One hundred vessels are reported at Hatteras supposed to contain reinforcement for General Burnside.

Ocracoka Inlet is said to be blocked up with stone vessels.

Virginia has been called upon for 40,000 additional troops.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Andrew Johnson’s Mission to Tennessee

Colonel Forney writes to the Philadelphia Press:

The Mission of Andrew Johnson, who goes forward as the Military Governor of the State of Tennessee, is at least one way of cutting the Gordian knot of complications which have resulted from the conquest of the rebels in that State, and will certainly follow their overthrow in other quarters.  It will prove to be most effective.  He will enter the State, of which he is the proud and peerless Senator, not only as a Brigadier General at the head of an overwhelming force, but as the deliverer of his own people, long held in chains by their oppressors.  His first step will be to seize upon the machinery of the State Government, to carry out the idea that no act of secession can annihilate the State of this Union, and prepare the way for the election of a Legislature, chosen by the loyal people of Tennessee, who will co-operate with him in the great purpose of constitutional obligation and obedience to laws passed in pursuance of the Constitution.  All this has been done by the Government, you will perceive, without the aid of Congress, and it is a significant evidence of the justice and expediency of this policy, that no portion of the Representatives and Senators in Congress, are found to object to it.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

They don’t seem to be . . .

. . . able to get a quorum of the Tennessee Legislature at Memphis.  This is all very well.  There has been a great deal too much rebel legislation in that State already, and we don’t want to see any more law making there until there shall be a loyal body to do the work. – {Lou. Journal.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

The Note of Alarm -- Importance of Holding Memphis

(From the Memphis Avalanche, Feb. 26.)

We are gratified to find that the opinions expressed by us with regard to our proper line of defense in the State, are gradually being accepted by all reflecting minds.  Some of our journals have gone astray on the absurd idea that the enemy intended making their strong demonstration against Nashville, strangely concluding that the capital of our State, on a small stream, was of more value to our foe than the command of the great inland sea.

Last November, some of our most intelligent and sagacious citizens regarded Columbus as the point mostly coveted by the enemy, and urged instant and adequate preparations for its defense.

One of our cotemporaries, the Appeal, with more zeal than wisdom, ridiculed the idea of there being any necessity for such preparation as men of sounder judgment and greater sagacity thought advisable, and did much to dampen that spirit which is always essential for any great emergency.

We are glad to see the Appeal returning to a sensible view of this question of defense, and in so nearly our own language as to convince us that it has derived much benefit from the perusal of our late articles upon the importance of defending the Mississippi river, at all hazards.  Our cotemporaries south of us have never committed the blunder of the Appeal, in supposing that our invaders ever intended making anything like a serious demonstration against this valley by any land route nor have they made the worse blunder of discouraging our people from the active preparation in which consists our safety.  The chief object of the enemy was and is too patent for men of sagacity not to see it, and we may rest assured that the country now properly estimates the importance of the question involved, since the Appeal has at last comprehended it.

As we have said again and again, the enemy’s great blow will be struck in his attempt to gain command of this valley.  If Columbus and Memphis should fall he would have uncontrolled sway for two thousand miles of the richest agricultural region in the world, extending from the lakes of the North to the Gulf of the South.  He can move his gunboats and transports at will – not five miles per day, as he now moves his army on land but fifty or one hundred miles per day.  He will garrison towns as he goes with troops enough to keep down all opposition.  He will thus penetrate the heart of our cotton and sugar region, and it will be no ordinary task to drive him from it.  At least it will not be done till cities, towns, villages, hamlets and private dwellings are laid in ashes, and manhood and womanhood be made to drink the cup of bitterness to the dregs!

It is strange, passing strange, that any citizen of this valley could ever have been deluded as to the chief design of the enemy!  And it is strange – we had almost said criminal – that any respectable journal of the South could be found trying to prevent our people from making that preparation for defense called forth by the magnitude of the interests at stake on both sides.

Let Nashville fall, as it probably must but that need not create the panic which now seems really to have seized upon some of our people, a panic which most unfortunately has not been allayed by the adjournment of our executive and Legislature form Nashville to Memphis – a measure deemed by the Executive, Governor Harris, proper and necessary.  We repeat it – let Nashville fall – its value to us is nothing compared with Memphis and this valley!

Our duty is before us, and it is plain.  We must defend the Mississippi river and the Memphis and Charleston railroad!  While we would not pluck our opinion against any commanding officer at Columbus, we are frank to confess that we think Fort Pillow is the point for a stand on the Mississippi, if it be not too late to abandon Columbus.  The latter place is too far from the great artificial line of support and defense – the Memphis and Charleston Railroad – and if Fort Pillow can hold the enemy in check in his advance by water, he will never advance by land.

Be it Columbus or Fort Pillow, one or both must be held, and a point on the Tennessee river (say Hamburg).  With these two river fortifications made impregnable, and others between them, in easy supporting distances of each other, we can defy the advance of the foe for all time to come.  Men, however, are needed for this duty.  It will not do for us to rely upon President Davis, or any other great man, for help, in this hour of trial.

Much is said about President Davis sending us aid.  This may be so.  We trust it is so, but we confess we do not know what point on our Potomac or coast lines, can be safely weakened just now.  Large forces are threatening us in all quarters, and we must rely upon ourselves!  Upon the men from this great valley!  The Legislature will probably soon authorize the Governor to call the militia into active service.  For the sake of honor and manhood, we trust no young unmarried man will suffer himself to be drafted!  He would soon become a bye word – a scoff – a burning shame to his sex and to his State!  Leave that for old and married men but in the name of patriotism let us not see young men parading our streets as militia, when the guns of hundreds of sick soldiers are waiting for them at Columbus.

We invoke the attention of our girls and wives upon this subject, and if young men, in pantaloons, will stay behind desks, counters and molasses barrels, let the girls present them with the garment proper to their peaceable spirits.  Success will make demons of our invaders, and success in the invasion of this valley will be more cheering to them than victory at any other point.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

The Tennessee Legislature . . .

. . . was badly scared by the turn of events at Fort Donelson.  They hustled out of Nashville, carpet-bag in hand, within two hours after the news of the surrender was announced, and as late as the 24^th, a quorum could not be got together at Memphis, the place to which they had adjourned.  That won’t make any difference, however.  Claib Jackson kept his rump legislature going with hardly enough members in it to fill the necessary offices, and if Gov. Harris can’t run the machine without a quorum he is less fertile in his resources than the now vagrant Claib.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 1

Curtis’ Defeat of Price

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25. – Gen Halleck this morning telegraphed Gen. McClellan as follows:

Price’s army has been driven from his strong hold at Cross Hollow.  The enemy left his sick and such stores as he could not destroy, and burned the extensive barracks at that place to prevent our troops from occupying them.  Gen. Curtis says, most of our provisions for the last ten days have been taken from the enemy.

The Republican’s Cairo dispatch says:

The occupation of Nashville is confirmed. – Our troops took possession without opposition.  Floyd fled, as usual.

The report the Governor Harris had ordered all the Tennessee troops to lay down their arms and go home is also confirmed.

The Tennessee Legislature is called for nest Monday.

No opposition to the Union movements is made anywhere on the Cumberland.

It is reported that white flags are flying at Memphis.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

From Tennessee

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 26. – A Fort Donelson dispatch to the Democrat of yesterday says a boat just from Clarksville reports the evacuation of Nashville.

The Union citizens of that place sent a boat to Clarksville, which towed one of our gunboats for their protection.

The rebels with Gov. Harris retreated to Murfreesboro.  Harris burnt all the State documents before leaving.

Gen. Grant declared martial law over Western Tennessee, with the understanding that when a sufficient number of citizens of the State return to their allegiance and show a desire to maintain law and order over the territory, all military restriction will be withdrawn.

Postal facilities are extended to Clarksville, and the mail bags will follow the flag.

CAIRO, Feb. 25. – Our killed and wounded will be much larger than at first supposed.  McClernand’s division alone will run over 1500.

Gen. Nelson’s Ky. brigade reached Ft. Donelson on Sunday and was immediately sent forward to Nashville.  Nelson and Crittenden’s brigade had gone up the Cumberland river to join Gen. Buell.

There were many rumors in relation to Nashville, but the one generally believed was, that Gen. Buell has not occupied it, but would reach it last night.

The rebels have retreated to Murfreysboro [sic], 40 miles from Nashville, and if they do so they will make no stand there, but will retreat further. – They are destroying bridges and other facilities for transportation.  At Murfreysboro commences a range of mountains whose passes can be easily defended by the enemy.

It was reported this morning that Gen. Grant had moved his headquarters from Ft. Donelson to Clarksville.

Gen. Buell sent a letter to Gen. Grant on Saturday stating that he, Buell, would be within nine miles of Nashville on Saturday night and that there would be no resistance to his occupation of the city.

The Federal troops occupied Nashville on Sunday.  Three gun boats from Ft. Donelson are also at Nashville.

Gen. Grant went up to Nashville today with a Messenger sent to him from Gen. Buell, but he took no troops with him.

The report that Gov. Harris wished an interview with Gen. Grant is an error.  Harris has fled from Nashville to Memphis, convened the Legislature of Tennessee, and it met in that city on Saturday last.  He delivered an intense war message to the Legislature, in which he declared that Tennessee must fight to the bitter end. – This was the report of his message telegraphed to Clarksville.

Gen. Buell’s timely arrival at Nashville, undoubtedly saved the city from utter destruction as Pillow could not have saved it from his desperadoes, if a Federal force had not been in the vicinity.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

From Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 10.

An intelligent gentleman from Memphis on Wednesday, reports that the citizens are greatly alarmed, and are relying on Ft. Pillow, near Ft. Randolph, for defense.  Very few troops are at Memphis.

The Legislature scattered after several ineffectual attempts to transact business.

Gov. Harris is greatly excited, and is flying about from one southern point to another, with little prospect of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people to his aid.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, March 3.

Captain Holeman, of the 7^th Ill. Cavalry, with 46 men, while making a reconnoisance of the country west of Charleston, Mo., came across 90 rebel cavalry, commanded by the veritable Jeff. Thompson, and after pursuing them a long distance forced them to make a stand about five miles below Sikeston.  Jeff.’s artillery was planted in such a manner as to command all approaches, and our forces were compelled to charge in the face of his battery.  This they did with great gallantry and succeeded in capturing four guns and putting the Confederates to flight, with a loss on our part of one man, who straggled from the command and was taken prisoner.  The rebel loss not ascertained.

The steamer Isetta arrived from the Tennessee river yesterday.  She reports that the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, accompanied by the transport Isetta, were approaching Pittsburg, a small town on the Tennessee river about eight miles above Savannah, and when within half a mile of the town were fired upon by a battery located upon a bluff overlooking the river.  The gunboats replied and for one-half hour shot and shell fell thick and furious.

At the expiration of that time the battery was silenced.  The gunboats continued to shell the battery for a half an hour, when, 86 marines and infantry left the boats. – They went ashore, burned one house, and visited one of the confederate camps.  The enemy again opened fire, but our forces repulsed and drove them over the hill.  The enemy’s forces, consisting of cavalry and infantry, being larger than the federals, they were enabled to flank them, and a retreat was ordered.  This was accomplished in good order under heavy fire.

Previous to the retreat our men captured a drum, upon which was painted, “Captured from the federal army at Manassas.”

The battery at Pittsburg had been established since the first visit of our gunboats to Tennessee river.  It is supposed that there were about 1,000 Confederate troops in the vicinity of Pittsburg.  Our loss is 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 3 missing.

The Isetta brought down about 800 bu. Of contraband wheat, belonging to one Russel, a notorious rebel, formerly of Louisville.  This was taken at Clifton.

The Isetta also brought down 20 Union refugees.  The officers of the boat represent the existence of considerable Union Sentiment in that part of Tennessee visited by our gunboats, and say that the woods along the river are full of Union men, who have been driven from their homes and await the arrival of the Federal forces to rid them of their persecutors.

At an election held at Savannah on Saturday, for Sheriff and clerk of the courts, the Union ticket received 370 votes and the secession 45.

A gentleman just arrived from Charlestown, Mo., brings intelligence of the capture of forty men belonging to Jeff. Thompson’s command, and four small 1-poounder guns.  The locality of the capture was five miles south of Sikeston.

Col. J. J. S. Wilson has resigned his position as assistant military manager of telegraphs.

CAIRO, March 1 – 9 P. M.

The sky is now most brilliantly illuminated by the reflection from a large conflagration, in the line of Columbus and apparently as far distant.  It is the opinion that Columbus is burned.  Rumors of its evacuation have been current in the streets all day.

Fresh rumors are rife here this evening of the evacuation of Columbus.  It is reported that the rebels have retreated to Island No. 10, and will make a stand there.  They claim it is the strongest position on the Mississippi river.  Men and pilots here, however, deny its claim in that respect.

The transport Economy was sunk in the Cumberland to-day.

No boats from up the river have arrived to-day.

Secretary Stanton’s recent order is still a theme of discussion here, especially the 3^rd regulation.  Various views of it are entertained, the most recognizing it as a judicious order.  Northern newspapers find their way to the rebels with the utmost regularity.  St. Louis papers reach Columbus daily, probably by bottle navigation.

The various newspaper correspondents at Cairo paid their respects to Gov. Kirkwood of Iowa, this evening.  The Governor has been here for some days, looking after the Iowa wounded.  He is firm in the belief that the rebellion is in process of rapid extinction.

The Cumberland river is very high and rapidly raising.

The Tennessee Legislature is still in session at Memphis.

A very bright light, as of a large conflagration, in the direction of Blandville, was seen from here last night.

The flag of the gallant Iowa 2d, the first which was planted on the enemy’s works at Donelson, arrived yesterday, en route for Iowa.  Three of the color bearers were killed and three wounded.

It is to hang over the speaker’s chair in the Iowa House of Representitives, and after the adjournment of the Legislature will be deposited in the archives of the Historical Society.  The flag bears the marks of the terrible conflict at Donelson, having no less than sixteen bullet holes through it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, March 3.

A special to the Missouri Democrat, from Cairo, 2d inst., says a great light was seen in the direction of Columbus last night. – It is generally believed that the rebels there have burned everything of an inflammable nature.

The Memphis Appeal of the 28^th ult. has the following:  We have information from Nashville up to Wednesday noon.  Gen. Buell and Com. Foot arrived and occupied the place.  The U. S. flag was raised over the dome of the capitol and floats there now.  But one Federal flag was exhibited, and that from the shop of a Yankee jeweler, who had long been suspected of disloyalty.  The feeling is Nashville is strongly Southern.  Deep gloom seemed to cover the community.  Citizens avoid intercourse of any kind with the invaders.  Two British flags have been raised by property holders, thus, evincing their intention to claim the protection of that government.

The sick are being removed from Columbus.

We are pleased to learn that Beauregard is making prompt and energetic preparations to oppose the attack, which now seems so imminent on Columbus.

The reported capture of B. R. Johnson at Ft. Donelson is incorrect.  He arrived at Nashville, Saturday having escaped the enemy.

Jeff. Thompson left his old headquarters day before yesterday, on a secret expedition.  He will turn up somewhere.

Both houses of the Tenn. Legislature met on the 27^th, and adjourned for want of a quorum.

Concerning the President’s message the Appeal says: “He is free to confess the error of his past policy, and the extent of disasters which have followed from it.  We think vigorous war will soon be made on the advancing columns of the enemy; that we will attack, pursue, and destroy, instead of being attacked, pursued and destroyed. – The spade will be dropped, and the bayonet resumed; in other words, the policy of Fabian Davis will yield to that of the Napoleonic Beauregard.  In view of these facts we can see light gleaming through the dark clouds and that at present environ us, which will burst forth in less than sixty days in full and resplendent luster.”

The rebels are said to be fortifying Island No. 10, thirty-five miles below Columbus, which place they will fall back on.  High ground is found on the island, which is well adapted for planting batteries to command the river.

Prominent officers believe that Columbus was burnt last night.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

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 19^th.

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 25^th 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

From Cairo

CAIRO, Feb. 25.

Nashville was yesterday occupied by ten thousand troops under Gen. Buell, and the Federal flag is now flying over the State House.

The Tennessee Legislature adjourned on Saturday week, and met again yesterday at Memphis.

It is reported that commissioners have been appointed to confer with the Federal authorities at Washington, to arrange terms for a transfer of allegiance, and that Gov. Harris offered to turn the confederate forces over to the Union.

Secessionism is on the wane, and Unionism in the ascendant.  Union men threaten terrible retribution upon their persecutors.

Fielding Hurst, of Purdy, McHenry Co., Tenn., ten miles from [Corinth], Miss., arrived last night.  He was first arrested by order of Gov. Harris on the 2d of December, confined twenty-seven days in a dungeon at Nashville, and released by outside pressure brought to bear on the judge who had sentenced him to be hung for treason to the Confederate States.

He was again arrested, taken to Columbus, kept two days, and permitted to return to Purdy, by Rev. Gen. Polk, to establish his innocence.  He started from the guard and was taken on board the gunboat Tyler and brought to Cairo.  He represents a general union sentiment in Tennessee, and thinks the Legislature will acquiesce in the recommendation of Gov. Harris, because fearful of the rising of the Union sentiment.

When he left Columbus there were 30,000 Confederate troops there, who were confident of whipping the d----d Yankees on land, though they confessed themselves no[t] much on water.  When first released he gave a recognizance in $25,000 for his loyalty to the Confederate army.

Another gentleman, who arrived from Nashville last night, reports the Confederates will make another stand at Murfreesboro.

All the rebel troops had left Nashville except the police force, who were picking up stragglers.

When Gov. Harris fled from Nashville with the Legislature to Memphis he burnt the State library and distributed a large amount of commissary stores and provisions among the citizens.  Stores are closed and business is entirely suspended.  Secessionists are leaving with their stock and negroes and following the Confederate army.

Geo. T. Lewis, proprietor of the Cumberland rolling mills, burned by the gunboat St. Louis, and who was brought to Cairo a prisoner of war, to-day took the oath of allegiance and was released upon parole. – He leaves for Fort Donelson and home this afternoon, and expresses the utmost gratitude for the humane treatment received and returns a confirmed Unionist.  He has been under charge of Col. Murphy, of the 9th Wisconsin, while at Cairo.

Walker Tyler, nephew of ex-President Tyler, was among the rebels at Fort Donelson.  He was wounded, and escaped afterwards.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1