g. Precaution was taken, however, before
actually preparing for the movement, to send out scouts to see if the
way were still clear. The scouts returned with report that the National
forces had reoccupied the ground. This being doubted, other scouts were
sent out, who brought the same report in more positive terms. Pillow
proposed to cut a way out. Buckner said that was now impossible, and
Floyd acquiesced. Pillow at last assented to this, but proposed to hold
the fort at least one day longer and take the chances of getting out.
Buckner said that was impossible; a lodgement had been made in the key
of his position; assault would certainly follow as soon as it was light,
and he could not withstand it. It was remarked that no alternative was
left but to surrender. General Floyd said he would never surrender--he
would die first. Pillow said substantially the same. Buckner said, if he
were in command, he would surrender and share the fate of the garrison.
Floyd inquired of Buckner, "If the command should devolve on you, would
you permit me to take out my brigade?" To which Buckner replied, "Yes,
if you leave before the terms of capitulation are agreed on." Forrest
asked, "Gentlemen, have I leave to cut my way out?" Pillow answered,
"Yes, sir, cut your way out," and asked, "Is there anything wrong in my
leaving?" Floyd replied, "Every person must judge for himself of that?"
Whereupon General Pillow said, "Then I shall leave this place." General
Floyd turned to General Pillow and told him, "General Pillow, I turn the
command over, sir." General Pillow said, "And I pass it." General
Buckner said, "And I assume it," and countermanded the order for the
destruction of the commissary and quartermaster stores, and ordered
white flags to be prepared and a bugler to report to him.

At eleven o'clock that night Floyd telegraphed to General A.S. Johnston
a glorious victory. Four hours later, at the close of the council or
conference, he telegraphed: "We are completely invested by an army many
times our numbers. I regret to say the unanimous opinion of the officers
seems to be that we cannot maintain ourselves against these forces."

Colonel Forrest reported that upon examination he found that deep mud
and water made an escape by land, between the investing force and the
river, impracticable for infantry. Forrest marched out with all the
cavalry but Gantt's Tennessee battalion and two companies of Helm's
Kentucky cavalry, taking with hi