Volume 1: 1836-1843 and 1861-1864

-42-

by learning that Col Gants Regt had made there escape out of the Fort, so beleved, but could not learn the certainty of it, hundreds of reports verry Contradictory ( Mary in greate trouble in Town )

Tu Feby 18. Went to Town so many contradictory reports I became verry uneasy and greatly alarmed for the boys situation, we could get nothing that was satisfactory to me, but many others thought we were safe.

[hand pointing] I see a letter from Mat to his wife dated the 11th Feby saying William & Thomas was then upon a dangerous Scout & had lost 23 men they told Mat when they left if they never got back to make his way home the best way he could. Some of the Scouts got in before Mat wrote the letter & told him that William & Thomas was safe. Bank Brown came home says he left Fort Donalson Sunday but knows little.

Feby 19 James Parks note the Gun boats are in sight of Clarksville at 2 oclock P.M. Come up the river Cant get any different news only supose the boys are all in prison The news comes from those that left the battlefield before the fight was over

Feby 20 Gun boats expected at Nashville to night greate excitement people leaving every where for the South The Bridges ( 2 0 across the Cumberland river torn down ( at

-43-

Nashville ) the strong Secessionist leaving every where Cure State bank in Columbia packing up for a run off with all the Money thousands people come from Nashville to Columbia a perfect stampead

Despatches 1862 Feby 15 - A dispatch from Genl Pillow says the fight commenced at 5 oclock A.M. and lasted until one oclock P.M. We have driven the enemy from every point taken 4 pieces of Artilery and captered a large number of prisoners. We suffered heavy and enflicted a sever loss on the enemy. The enemy are being reenforced and is probably may make another attack

15 Feby Another dispatch came at 12 oclock at night (or by the car s) The cars are Just in & our Victory is complete having killed about 6 to one We run them to the watter edge, and run 3 Rgts in to the watter & river. I will telegraph you if the boys are hurt Signd A F Pillow

Doct Pillow ) left on the cars “ A. Brown ) 11 oclock last night “ I Hays ) for fort Donalson

A note from Dr Pillow to me 11 oclock at night at the Depot says when he started My dear old friend We have had a terrible fight and Whipt the enemy at all points, loss heavy on both sides. I am on my way to Ft Donalson to night if your boys are hurt I will stay with them to the last, and will telegraph you soon as I get there Feby 15. 1862 A I Pillow

-44-

Feby 16th William B Wilsons note 6 oclock P.M. A Dispatch just received says for Donalson is taken by the Federals all is lost. I have nothing to offer that could comfort you. (I never had such awful feelings)

Feby 20. Received another letter from my son Thomas dated the 15th Feby in Fort Donalson had hard fighting, says about 50 of our boys were killed that day near there works & 4 or 500 of the enemy Wm Kearnel says that he left William & Thomas on Sunday morning the 16th both was well bid them goodby Mat was also well & was detirmined to share the fate of William & Thomas Says they were all made prisoners shortly after he left which was about sun rise in the morning as he has since understood.

Feby 21 Went to Town, receved full satisfaction that whole of Gants Regt was made prisoners and there distination was Saint Louis John I Morris not one of the soldiers but a visitor at Fort Donalson was made prisoner with William & Thomas for 2 days & discharged come home today. gives a full account of the whole proceedings says the prisoners is well treated the negroes belonging to the prisoners were permitted to be sent home or to stay with there Masters & wait on them, where ever they went Greate excitement, the Govr proclamation was read calling out the Militia L J Polk appointed Brigadeer Genl to organize the Militia from this

-45-

[right margin of entry: “1862 Feby 21”] division, Government Stores Coffee, Shoes Candles run off with, From Nashville & selling out to purchasers any where they can get to sell. Greate excitement continues. Forests Cavalry passed through Columbia from Fort Donalson on there way to Murphreesborough Several hundred Floyds Cavalry also Some of them passed on the Gun boats have not yet arrived at Nashville at midnight on the 21st.

Feby Sat 22 Mat got to Town last night

[Feby] 25 I wrote a letter to Martha Jane telling her all I know letter from Martha Jane dated 24th Feby 1862 recd after I had written to her

The distances to the Battle field faught the 13 14 & 15th Feby 1862 Never to be forgotten

[map, places listed clockwise]

Ft. Donalson Dover

[from Ft Donalson to Clarkesville:] 26M, 30W

Clarkesville Montgomery

Stuart

Springfield Robinson

[from Clarkesville to Davidson:] 39 ½ Miles, N 50W

Davidson Nashville

Wilkinson Franklin

[from Nashville to Columbia:] N 50 E to Nashville, 41M

Columbia Maury

[from Columbia to Dickson] North 51 45M

Charlott Dickson

Centerville Hickman

Humphrey Reynoldsburg

Ferryville Perry

[from Dickson to Ft. Donalson:] N59W 28M

[from Columbia to Ft Donalson:] North 30W 70M

-46-

Columbia to Nashville N 30 E 41 miles Nashville to Clarkesville N 50W 31 miles Clarkesville to Dover N 80W 26 miles Columbia to Dover N 30[]W 70 miles Columis to Charlott N 51W 45 miles Charlott to Dover N 57W 28 miles

March 3.. Walker & Thompson got home from prisoners

1862 March 1st. Burnt Rail Rode bridge across Ducke River March 4th Burned the 1st bridge below Town [March 4th] & the 1st one above Town across Ducke [March 4th] & the bridge across [illegible] branch in the edge of town 4 March 1862

March 4th Jo Walker & Black Thompson left Willliam & Thomas at St Louis Would leave for Columbus Ohio in Company with all the officers on Tuesday 4th March the day he left for home. They had all there Cloathes bed cloathes &c Wore there Cloth Clothes & looked in fine health. The privates all left for Chicago & All appeared Much depressed in having to leave. These officers William heard & told them to hold up there heads & not be cast down The ladies cheared & Greeted them & was removed from there presence

March Monday 10th Jesse Harres went to Nashville had a letter from Fanna to Thomas (Ben Harlen with him) Maryann sent a letter