ville as paroled prisoners. I applied to Buell for re-enforcements in vain. With the support of artillery we were attacked on Monday by a force of cavalry and infantry, 800 strong, with a battery of 6 and 12 pounders, under command of Cols. (A. R.) Johnson and Woodward. They were immediately joined by large numbers of armed citizens. My little force was reduced by details on telegraph and river to 150 effective men in camp. It was thought best to surrender. I refused to give my parole, but otherwise would do it. I then gave it for thirty days, when I am to surrender myself at Hopkinsville, Ky. Where shall I take my men? Other forces are organizing to attack Donelson and Henry. Donelson is very weak, and will, I think, be overwhelmed unless immediate relief is given. The enemy will be able to overrun this country again. They can any day bring over 2,000 armed men to Donelson.

R. MASON,

Colonel Seventy-first Ohio.

Major-General GRANT.

CAMP CHASE, Columbus, Ohio, August 27, 1862.

GENERAL: Pursuant to your orders I reported with paroled prisoners at Benton Barracks, and then, by order of Major-General Halleck, proceeded with them to this camp.

Before receiving your command, through Colonel Lowe, to leave Clarksville I had repeatedly asked re-enforcements from General Buell, whose stores were accumulating at that point to a considerable amount. After receiving that order I went to Nashville, and explained fully to Major Sidell, Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, acting assistant adjutant-general to General Buell, the situation of affairs. I told him that forces had been collected; that Lieutenant-Colonel Bristow, of the Kentucky cavalry, had sent me notice they were going to attack me; that I should be attacked in overwhelming numbers, and would not hold myself responsible for the stores, but would hold my camp against infantry. He still insisted on my remaining until you were heard from, and I consented. I received your orders to remain on the day I had fixed for departure.

On Monday, August 18, I had, according to the morning reports, for duty: Commissioned officers, 18; enlisted men, 225; on extra duty, 36; sick, 34; in arrest, 7; total, 320. The extra-duty men were at the stables and post commissary and quartermaster's offices in the city.

A little before 9 a. m. I was informed that the enemy were in force near town. I immediately started for camp (I was at my headquarters in the city), and arrived there just as the enemy came into the city, a party of about 150 dashing at a gallop for my headquarters, where they had hoped to capture me. The men in camp had been formed (according to instructions previously given by me) by their officers, the immediate command of the camp having been devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews.

The enemy halted, deployed a considerable portion of their forces, and held the remainder in mass out of range and under cover of houses, placing a battery in position in a corn field southeast of the college, about which we were encamped. They then sent in a flag of truce, demanding a surrender. I laid the matter before the commissioned officers. While they were considering the matter I returned to the flag and asked whether I would be permitted to verify the statement of their