Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

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[584] regret a telegraphic despatch, purporting to come from Russellville, and comments thereon, giving a basely false report of the action. To the ends of obtaining simple justice, we submit a faithful statement of the facts.

About ten days after the battle of Shiloh, our regiment was sent from thence to garrison and hold Fort Donelson and Clarksville. Four companies were stationed at the former place, under Lieut.-Col. Andrews, the other six at Clarksville, under Colonel Mason. We had lost one hundred and thirty-seven men in the battle at Shiloh, out of five hundred and ten--balance of regiment being sick in hospital at the time. We were divided to garrison the above places.

After sending back to Ohio the sick, we did not, all told, number three hundred men fit for duty; still both places have been held for more than three months. Our number for duty has never, at Clarksville, numbered two hundred. Col. Mason constantly called on superior officers for reinforcements and for artillery, but because of supposed greater necessity at other places, neither were sent.

Rumors of designed attacks upon us were received for several days, and, by Colonel Mason's order, several temporary rifle-pits were constructed. A few days before the attack, Lieut.-Colonel Andrews came up from Donelson, (forty-five miles distant,) and Major Hart was sent to take his place at the Fort. On the morning of the attack, Col. Mason was near the river, attending to the duties of the post, and upon hearing of the enemy's approach, made his way to the camp.

Upon the approach of the enemy Lieut.-Colonel Andrews immediately placed all men in camp in line of battle. Detachments had been sent to guard steamers with Government stores on the way to Nashville, others on telegraph-line, and still others to guard Government stores on the landings, so that at the time not more than one hundred and twenty-five men were in line. As Colonel Andrews was preparing to open fire upon the enemy, Col. Mason had, by a circuitous route and rapid movement, reached the camp. At that moment a flag of truce approached from the enemy. Of course all movements were halted, and the messenger was sent to Colonel Mason. He immediately summoned us to his quarters in council.

The messenger stated he was sent to demand a surrender, with the condition that private property should be respected, and the force allowed to retain its colors. The true condition of affairs was, for a moment, canvassed. It was certain that a force of from eight hundred to a thousand was drawn up before us, supported by two batteries of artillery — the messenger said a greater number. Col. Woodward commanding, conjointly with Colonel A. R. Johnson, the enemy, was called, and Lieut.-Col. Andrews asked to be permitted to pass along the enemy's lines to ascertain the true number; after some parleying the request was granted.

He returned and reported that, as near as he could ascertain, about four hundred cavalrymen were drawn in line some four hundred yards. distant; one company armed with new sixteen-shooter rifles, one company with carbines and sabres, balance with double-barrel shot-guns ; at the left and rear were drawn up about one hundred infantry; at other points of street-crossings were stationed probably two hundred men. Besides these, about one hundred and fifty cavalry had dashed through the city to the landing. This was Col. Andrews's report. But several others had reconnoitred, and discovered two batteries of artillery planted within five hundred yards of us — the people, six or seven thousand in number and containing at least one thousand fighting men, were rising and turning out armed — there were but five or six Union families in the city.

We had not the sign of artillery but a little bell-muzzled piece Col. Andrews had patched up at Donelson and brought along — a grapeshot could not be put in its chamber; we have no ammunition for that! Under these circumstances we thought it madness to hold out, and we unanimously advised Colonel Mason to surrender.

N. J. Harter, First Lieutenant, company I, Seventy-first.

Isaac Mason, Second Lieutenant, company C.

Ira L. Morris, First Lieutenant, company C.

Smith H. Clark, Captain, company D.

J. R. Woodward, Captain, company C.

T. W. Bowen, Captain, company K.

C. H. Kraum, Captain, company F.

Sol. J. Houck, Captain, company I.

Thos. T. Moore, Adjutant.

Wm. H. Callender, Captain, company E.

H. M. Drury, Lieutenant, company D.

L. W. Beanar, Lieutenant, company F.