Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

We had four field-batteries and several regiments of cavalry, all of which have doubtless fallen into the hands of the enemy. The former were commanded by Capts. Porter, Graves, and Jackson, of Virginia, and----.

To distinguish friend from foe, our men had a white band tied around the arm, and in the regiments there was carried by the side of the confederate flag a banner of blue with a white globe in the centre.

As rapidly as possible the wounded were removed to the town of Dover, above alluded to, and from thence by steamers to Nashville. The care bestowed upon them was excellent, there being an abundance of both physicians and refreshments.

The enemy are represented to have fought nobly, far better than the Northern soldiers have ever fought before ; but most, if not all, of them were from the West, sturdy farmers and back-woodsmen, and, like ourselves, accustomed to the use of arms. The safety of Floyd and Pillow, with a portion of their command, is beyond doubt. Buckner is also supposed to have escaped, as a despatch is said to have been received by his wife, in Atlanta, Ga., within in the past four days, stating that he was well. Albert Sidney Johnston was not in the fight.

Had reinforcements been sent forward, so that eight or ten thousand fresh men could have stood the brunt of the battle on Saturday afternoon instead of our jaded soldiers, Fort Donelson would not have fallen; but the lack of this effective strength enabled the enemy to completely hem our little army in, and extend their lines in crescent shape from river-bank to river-bank around us.

The news of the surrender reached Nashville, Tenn., by telegraph, on Sunday morning about church-time, while many of the citizens were on their way to the accustomed places of worship. Instantly, of course, every other consideration gave place to the thought of personal safety. Every means of transportation at hand was employed to remove furniture and valuables; the depots were thronged with men, women, and children, anxious to leave the city; train after train was put in motion; government stores were thrown open to all who chose to carry them away, and negroes, Irish laborers, and even genteel-looking persons, could be seen “toting” off their pile of hog, clothing, or other property belonging to the army, though, by order of the military authorities, much of this was recovered on the ensuing day. In a single word, the city was crazy with a panic. Gov. Harris is said to have rode through the streets, at the top of his speed, on horseback, crying out that the papers in the capital must be removed; and, subsequently, with the Legislature, which had at once assembled, left the city in a special train for Memphis. Still there were some in the city who manifested a determination to make a stand and apply the torch to every house before it should be surrendered. This state of affairs lasted, without much modification, until Monday evening, when the excitement began to subside. All the rolling stock of the railroads converging in Nashville was brought into requisition, and the machinery in the armory, guns, and much valuable provisions, etc., were removed. Seven trains, loaded with women and children inside, and crowded with frightened men on the top, left the city in one day.

As soon as it was supposed that the enemy were advancing — in fact, early on Sunday morning--a meeting of prominent citizens was held, and a committee of gentlemen, consisting of Ex-Gov. E. S. Brown, the Hon. Andrew Ewing, and the Hon. Edwin Ewing, decided that the surrender should be made only on condition that private persons and property should be respected; but these terms had not, at the latest advices, been submitted to the Union commander. Gen. Johnston informed the citizens that he should be compelled to evacuate the place on account of his inability to defend it with the force at his command, and Gen. Pillow subsequently made a speech to the public, in which he informed them that the army would fall back and endeavor to retrieve their losses from another point.

On Sunday, the army evacuating Bowling Green passed through Nashville, en route for Murfreesboro, or some other locality in that vicinity — a heterogeneous mixture of artillery, cavalry, infantry, ambulances, wagons, and negroes, all worn down with their long forced march of eighty miles.

The city is said to have been very unsound, and McClernand himself confessed that he was in daily receipt of information concerning the movements of our troops. Phosphorous and other inflammable compounds have since been found concealed ready for use, and it is also stated that a batch of Union flags were discovered; but whether or not these were the remains of some former celebration is unknown.

By this time there is little doubt that the Unionists are in possession of the city, but from positive intelligence received here it is certain that it was not occupied on Wednesday last.

Meanwhile, the government officers and citizens have been active in removing the most valuable articles that could be transported, and the Yankees have undoubtedly found a very inconsiderable share of the booty they expected.

I forgot to add, in its proper place above, that the names of our killed and wounded are not yet known, but from several sources I have made the following brief list:

Killed.--Lieut.-Col. Clough, Texas; Lieut.-Col. Robb, Clarksville, Tenn.; Capt. May, Memphis; Capt. Porter, Nashville.

Fourteenth Mississippi Regiment.--Judge Rogers, Monroe Co., Miss.; Sergt. Jno. Clark, Sergt. John Montgomery, R. M. Bell, J. G. Watt, George James.

Wounded.--Major Hewitt, Second Kentucky regiment, (since reported dead;) Capt. Many,