m the horses of Porter's battery and
about two hundred men of various commands. There was not a steamboat at
the landing; General Floyd had sent all up the river with wounded and
prisoners. Not a skiff or yawl could be found. A little flatboat or scow
was got by some means from the other side of the river, and on this
General Pillow crossed the river with his staff and Colonel Gilmer. Two
steamboats returned at daybreak, one of them bringing "about four
hundred raw troops." The four hundred raw troops were dumped on shore,
and Floyd took possession of the boats. Floyd's brigade, consisting of
four Virginia regiments and the Twentieth Mississippi, had been divided
during the siege. The four Virginia regiments were organized into two
brigades, and the Twentieth Mississippi attached to another command. Two
Virginia regiments were ferried across the river, and the Twentieth
Mississippi, understanding that they were to be taken on board with
Floyd, stood on guard and kept off the growing crowd of clamorous
soldiers while the other two Virginia regiments embarked. The rope was
cut and Floyd steamed up the river, leaving the Twentieth Mississippi
and his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Breckenridge Drake, behind. It was said
afterward that word was received from General Buckner that the boat must
leave at once, or it would not be allowed to leave.

Soon after daybreak, Sunday the 16th, the men of Lauman's brigade heard
the notes of a bugle advancing from the fort. It announced an officer,
who bore to General Grant a letter from General Buckner, proposing the
appointment of commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation, and
also proposing an armistice until noon. General Grant replied,
acknowledging the receipt of the letter, and adding: "No terms except an
unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move
immediately upon your works." Buckner replied: "The distribution of the
forces under my command, incident to an unexpected change of commanders,
and the overwhelming force under your command, compel me,
notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday,
to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose."
White flags were displayed along the works; the National troops marched
in, and General Grant at once made the following order: "All prisoners
taken at the surrender of Fort Donelson will be collected as rapidly as
practicable near the village of Dover, under their resp