Don Carlos Buell to Henry W. Halleck, February 21, 1862

I am now in possession of Clarksville, but will move no force there except General Smith’s division until I hear from General Halleck. / There is a considerable amount of army stores at Clarksville, partieularly flour and bacon, which it will be necessary to move if the army is to fall back this way. I would suggest, however, that points above. Forts Henry and Donelson would be more advantageous’ for us to oecupy than where we are now—I would say about the railroad crossing on the two rivers. It is my impression that by following up our success Nashville would be an easy conquest; but I only throw this out as a suggestion, based simply upon information from people who have no sympathy with us. White flags are flying from here to Clarksville, and rumor says the same thing extends to Nashville. At Nashville I understand one party put the white flag on the State-house, but it was torn down by another party. I wrote you some days ago to have forwarded blankets and overcoats to issue to troops who lost theirs on the field of battle. The men are . suffering for them. Shoes and other clothing are beginning to be wanting to some extent. I am ready for any move the general commanding may order. U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General. Brig. Gen. G. W. CULLUM, Chief of Staff, Department Missouri. FEBRUARY 23-25, 1869.— Evacuation cf Nashville, Tenn., by the Confederate forces and its occupation by the Union troops. No. 1.—Hon. Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War. No. 2.—Brig. Gen. D. C. Buell, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Ohio. No. 3.—Col. James Barnett, U. S. Army, of ordnance captured. No. 4.—General A. Sidney Johnston, C. S. Army, commanding Western Department. No. 5.—Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd, C. S. Army. No. 6.—Col. Nathan B. Forrest/s responses to interrogatories of Committee of Confederate House of Representatives. No. 7.—Col. Leon Trousdale’s responses to interrogatories of Committee of Confederate House of Representatives. No. 8.—Memoraadum of Col. W. W. Mackall, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 1. Report of Hon. Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War. NASHVILLE, TENN., February 25, 1862. Nashville was taken possession of to-day. The mayor, accompanied by eommittee of citizens, met General Buell this morning on the north bank of the Cumberland. Interview entirely satisfactory to all parties. One gunboat and twelve steamers at the wharf. Troops passing the river in good order. Hon. E. M. STANTON. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. D. C. Buell, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Ohio. NASHVILLE, TENN., February 26, 1862. I arrived opposite the city with Mitchel’s division, about 9,000 effective, on the night of the 24th. The enemy’s cavalry were still in the city in small force. I did not intend to cross until I could do so in suffcient force to run no great hazard, but during the night General Nelson arrived with about 7,000 men, and landed before I was aware of it. I deemed it unadvisable to withdraw them, lest it should embolden the enemy and have à bad effect on the people, and so determined to cross with all the force at hand, and we are now crossing and taking a position some 4 or 5 miles out in the direction of Murfreesborough. The difficulty of crossing the river is very great. Notwithstanding we have steamers, the want of fuel for them is a most embarrassing matter. Our force is too small, and offers a strong inducement to the enemy, only 30 miles distant, with some 30,000 men, 10 àssume the offensive; but I have deemed it necessary to run the risk. Ihave dispatched steamers to bring up the force at Clarksville, and our troops are moving on from Bowling Green as rapidly as possible, but it must be two or three days before we will be able to show much force. General Thomas’ division ought to be here by water by the 13th of March. The troops from Clarksville may be here to-night. MeCook’s division will, I hope, be up to the river to-inorrow, and will then have to cross. If the enemy advances, as is said to be his intention, we will probably meet him tomorrow. It is said here that the enemy has either evacuated Columbus or is doing so. There are no violent demonstrations of hostility, though the mass ‘of the people appear to look upon us as invaders, but I have seen several strong indications of loyalty in individuals.

D. C. BUELL,