ing a large force below the point, and it then became apparent that the ditching and digging were not labor lost. Our entire force, all told, amounted to thirteen thousand men. The fight was commenced by the enemy's gunboats on Thursday, the 13th, and continued through three days. From prisoners, which were taken on Friday, we learned that the enemy's land force was thirty thousand strong, and that they were being daily reenforced with fresh troops. The history of the three days' fight is well known. I do not desire to enter into an account of each day's fight; suffice it to say that the enemy was repulsed at all points with great slaughter, and that he gained no material advantage until Saturday evening, when, by the loss of a battery, our line was bent back, and we stood in great danger of being flanked. During the three days' fight the gunboats had made no impression on the fort, while the fort had disabled two of the gunboats, and injured, to some extent, a third. No boat could stand a fire from heavy guns mounted on a bluff one hundred feet above the river. The terrible plunging fire of solid shot was certain destruction to all below. In Saturday's fight we were so overwhelmed by numbers that we were forced to give back.

mined to commence the attack on Sunday morning at daylight.

Some time later in the night another meeting of general officers was held, I understood at the request of General Buckner, at which he stated that the men were physically worn out and incapable of fighting any more, and that he was in favor of surrendering; that they were entirely surrounded by the enemy, and that even if they succeeded in cutting their way out, that there was not sufficient river transportation to convey the troops to Nashville; that an attack next morning would end only in a wanton destruction of life, and that he could not see any benefit that would result from it. General Pillow spoke in favor of the attack next morning. He thought the men capable of another effort, and he spoke eloquently against a surrender, which would dim all the glory that had been achieved. He eulogized the troops; said they were not lacking in strength or spirit; that they were capable of one more effort, and that effort should be made; that he would never surrender to the enemy. General Floyd said he was opposed to surrendering; that he could not and would not surrender; that he knew the men were worn out, yet he thought almost the entire command could be saved by a vigorous Our line of defence once lost, we were then at attack next morning. General Buckner replied a great disadvantage. The weather was terrible. that the men were exhausted, and could fight no It had been sleeting and snowing for two days and more, and that he would stay with his men. nights, and was bitter cold. Several of the men General Floyd said, "I cannot surrender; I pass had frozen to death in the trenches. The rifle pits the command over to you, General Pillow." were knee-deep in water and ice. Many of the General Pillow said, "Nor can I surrender; I men had not tasted food for two days. Some pass the command to General Buckner." General were physically exhausted from hunger, loss of Buckner said, "I accept the command." On sleep, and cold. More than three fourths of the these facts becoming known to the men, all was whole command were raw troops, and had never commotion. Many prepared to leave at once. faced an enemy before. Some murmuring was It was given out that all that wanted to could heard among the men, such as, "We can't fight now leave, as the way to Nashville was open. forever; if Johnston don't send us reënforcements Many crossed the river, and went on foot on to we ought to leave here." In this state of affairs Nashville. Colonel Forrest, of the Tennessee cava council of war was held late on Saturday even-alry, now General Forrest, said that he would ing. It was admitted that the place could not form a rear guard of his command, and protect all be held without reënforcements. General Pillow who would come out. Many availed themselves believed that reenforcements would yet arrive, and of this offer, and Colonel Forrest kept his word. he was in favor of commencing a vigorous attack General Floyd brought out almost his entire comon the enemy next morning (Sunday), to regain mand, which had come with him from Virginia. our former line, and hold that position at all General Pillow was instrumental in bringing hazards until help came. He said that he had several of the men out. He made personal appeals promised Governor Harris that he would hold to many of the officers commanding Tennessee that place at all hazards and defend the capital, troops not to remain, which was responded to. and he was in favor of holding it. General Floyd It is my opinion that the entire command could said that no more aid would come; that he had have been saved had General Floyd's plan been brought the last available man that General adopted. As it was, more than four thousand Johnston could spare; that he had but twenty- men left the fort and the trenches on that night, five thousand men left; and that he thought it and arrived safe at Nashville. All left who chose best to make a vigorous attack on the enemy to, and those who remained chose to remain. next morning, and, under cover of the attack, to Indeed, many left the fort after it had been surretire the whole command. To this General rendered, on Sunday, and walked all the way to Buckner made some objection, but finally he as- Nashville. Eleven members of a Texas regiment sented to it. It was admitted by all that the came into camp at Murfreesboro', thirteen days place could not be longer held without reenforce- after the surrender, having left the fort on Mon ments, and after General Floyd's statement it day morning after the surrender. The report tha was seen that it was impossible to be reenforced. the fort was surrounded by the enemy was a mis-The plan of General Floyd was assented to by take. It was not even invested on Sunday evenGenerals Buckner and Pillow, and it was deter-ing, as our men were continually leaving the