We have possession of
Clarksville.
The citizens
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being alarmed, two thirds of them have fled, and, having expressed my views and intentions to the
Mayor and
Hon. Cave Johnson, at their request I have issued a proclamation assuring all peaceably disposed persons that they may with safety resume their business avocations, requiring only the military stores and equipments to be given up, and holding the authorities responsible that this shall be done without reservation.
I left
Fort Donelson yesterday with
the Conestoga,
Lieut. Commanding
Phelps, and
the Cairo,
Lieut. Commanding
Bryant, on an armed reconnoissance, bringing with me
Col. Webster of the Engineer Corps, and chief of
Gen. Grant's staff, who, with
Lieut. Commanding
Phelps, took possession of the principal fort and hoisted the Union flag at
Clarksville.
A Union sentiment manifested itself as we came up the river.
The rebels have retreated to
Nashville, having set fire, against the remonstrances of the citizens, to the splendid railroad-bridge across the
Cumberland River.
I return to
Fort Donelson to-day for another gunboat and six or eight mortar-boats, with which I propose to proceed up the
Cumberland.
The rebels all have a terror of the gunboats.
One of them, a short distance above
Fort Donelson, had previously fired an iron rolling-mill belonging to
Hon. John Bell, which had been used by the rebels.
A. H. Foote,
Flag-Officer, Commanding Naval Forces, Western Waters.
