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casualties) and the bitter sight of betrayal by an inept leader (Floyd would relinquish his command, flee up the Cumberland with his Virginia regiments, and leave the 20th Mississippi to its fate with the Federals).
The sortie went well from its bgeginning at daybreak Saturday. Eight thousand Confederate troops (the 20th Mississippi was third in the column) poured in against McClernand?s forces near the Forge road. The fighting was fierce and the casualties were heavy, but by noon the Federal wing had been broken, and the Confederates were rolling up the enemy line toward Brig. Gen. Lew Wallace?s Division in the center. An escape route had been opened to Nashville. Here was a chance to save most of the Southern forces even though it meant abandoning Fort Donelson.
But it did not come off. Even though the generals had agreed the night before to attempt this breakout,-now that the Federal lines had been pierced, they vacillated and finally withdrew into the fort. Pillow apparently insisted that the troops must return for their gear. So the bloodshed went for nothing. No advantage had been gained, and Floyd?s right wing had been so weakened by the maneuver that the Federals seized the opportunity and moved against the downriver flank of Fort Donelson. This move by Brig. Gen. D. F. Smith?s Division was successful far beyond initial hopes, and the high ground they took north-west of the fort that wintry afternoon dojnmed the Confederate position. It was all over except for the bickering at the generals? headquarters.
By now it was obvious that Fort Donelson could not be held. Floyd had missed his chance to save his forces. At the moment it seemed that his primary concern was to save his own hide. He remained the senior officer, and it was his obligation, if surrender were done, to stay on with his troops. He decided not to stay and turned over the command to Gen. Pillow. He, in turn, refused to stay. The next senior general officer was Brig. Gen. Simon? B.? Buckner, a man of dtmeosimi and integrity. He scorned the runaway of Floyd and Pillow; but he did not stand to block their escape./	/	,	,
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