contest from two causes:  It is hard to overestimate the advantage they find in a knowledge of the ground, the roads, the ravines, the hiding-places, the marshes, the fords, the forests, &c.  But even more important than this is the sympathy they have from the inhabitants, almost universally, who give them information by every method, of the approach, strength, and plans of their enemies.  Even the negroes will be found often, either from fear or other motives, to give all the information they can obtain to the Southerners.  And the Southerners know far better than we do how to obtain, and sift, and estimate, the value of what the slaves tell them.

From these causes, we should look for and expect no little trouble from the mounted men, who will continue to constitute a pretty large element in the Rebel forces.

After commencing my service in the cavalry, we spent some three weeks in scouting and foraging, having Nashville for our center.  During this time I rode as courier several times, on one occasion riding sixty miles, from Nashville to Shelbyville, in seven hours.  Upon another occasion, my blooded horse made fourteen miles in a little less than fifty minutes; but this was harder service than we generally exacted from our horses.  Upon reporting myself to General Breckenridge, for whom this arduous service had been performed, he merely said “Tres bien”—­from which I saw that he expected prompt work from those who served him.

On Saturday the 15th of February, the report came that General Johnson would evacuate Bowling Green, and Sunday morning we learned, to the amazement of citizens and soldiers, that Fort Donelson was taken.  Never was there greater commotion than Nashville exhibited that Sabbath morning.  Churches were closed, Sabbath schools failed to assemble, citizens gathered in groups, consulted hastily, and then rushed to their homes to carry out their plans.  Bank directors were speedily in council, and Confederate officials were everywhere engrossed in the plan of evacuation.  A general stampede commenced.  Specie was sent off to Columbia and Chattanooga, plate was removed, and valuables huddled promiscuously into all kinds of vehicles.  Hack-hire rose to twenty-five dollars an hour, and personal service to fabulous prices.  Government property was removed as fast as transportation could be furnished.  Vast amounts of provisions and ammunition had been accumulated at Nashville, for the armies at Donelson and Bowling Green; and so confident were they of holding those points, that no provision had been made for retreat.

On Sunday the advance of the Bowling Green army began to come in, and those who escaped from Donelson on Tuesday.  The appearance of these retreating forces increased the panic among the people, and as the troops came in the non-combatants went out.  By the 20th, all who could get away were gone, and none but the military were prominent in the streets, and the sick and wounded were sent southward.  The main body of the army camped on the Nashville side of the river.  Work was suspended on two fine gunboats in process of construction, and orders given to be ready for their destruction at a moment’s notice.  The railroad bridge was also prepared for the same fate.