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How the News was Received.
The news of the surrender of Fort Donelson, which took place on Sunday evening, was received here about 10 o'clock yesterday morning. The first dispatch was from Col. N. B. Buford, at Cairo, to Gov. Yates, announcing that "Fort Donelson is ours. I am now firing a salute." The next was from Gen. Paine to the Governor, as follows: "Fort Donelson has surrendered with 15,000 prisoners, including Generals Pillow, Buchner and Johnson." The two dispatches came in quick succession, and they had hardly reached the State House, before the cry was taken up by the crowd outside, and such hurrahing and cheering as swept along the streets were never before heard in this city. Immediately flags were raised from all prominent building and many private residences; the bells of churches, engine houses, etc., began to ring and gong, pistols and cannon were fired in quick succession from different point. There was a universal expression of joy in every countenance, and hand met hand in congratulation. The Convention adjourned at once, and nothing else was discussed by the thousands who crowded upon the streets and around the bulletin boards but the news from Fort Donelson. In the afternoon, as the official report came in, almost the same scenes were enacted but upon a more extended scale. All the bells rang in concert, and Capt. Cheney's company of Artillery, with a battery of six guns located in different parts of the town, commenced a most rapid cannonading, and fired the grandest salute ever witnessed in the State. In the evening, bonfires burned around the square, and an impromptu mass meeting of the people was held in the Hall of the House of Representatives, which was densely packed with ladies and gentlemen. Speeches of the most enthusiastic character were made by Mr. Hacker, President of the Convention, Mr. Anthony, Mr. Harr, Mr. Orme, Mr. Thornton and others. The resolutions reported were of the patriotic Fourth of July order, and were adopted with a hearty good will. Altogether, the joy over the glorious victory, sobered though it was by the fact that so many of our gallant soldiers are known to be killed and wounded, was universal and unmistakable.