Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-19
STILL ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 1a.-The Fort Donelson cor
respondent of the Republican gives the following
account Of the fighting on Saturday:
g. Yesterday Saturday morning, Just at day
light, heavy soriie was made by the garrison
from the left portion Of their works. The attack
was made upon the extreme right wing of the
Union army, where IL was strongest. part OF
Gen. MCClernand's division, under Col Oglesb
consisting of his brigade, was stationed there
also, Schwartz's and mcAhsters batteries The
point was upon a ridge leading into the right re.
doubt, and situated Just above the main fort Dur
ing the previous night the enemy could be heard
busily at work, but IL was impossible to tell at
what, as the thicket and woods encompassed the
Union troops IN every side, obstructing the view
in every direction.
At daylight large body Of the enemy suddenly
appeared on the extreme right wing Of Colonel
OglesbY's command, aud opened a terrific fire
with cannon from their redOubt, playing at the
same time upon our forces from the guns which
had hePn placed in position on the mig previous.
The camps Of the 29th and 3lst Illinois were
NEST exposed. The whole brigade was at once
formed into line as follows The 18th Illinois
regiment held the extreme RICH the Sth Illinois
came next then the Both Illinois; then the Doth
Illinois, supporting the right Of Capt. SChwartzs
artillery, and the 3lst Illinois defending the ar
tillery on the left
From the firing of the first gun until O'Clock
the battle ragged unremittinglv and with fearful
loss on both sides. Again and again our troops
drove the enemy back, but they were often rein
forced, while our troops had, owing to the ex-
tended lines of the army. and also their position
u
More gallant fig tiDg never took place than that
Of the Union troops. Exposed TO the terrible fire
of triple their number, they stood their ground
until, in some regiments every officer was xii led
or wounded. AT last, and reluctantly, regiment
by regiment they slowly fell back, leaving
Schwartz battery and three of McAllister's
guns in rebel hands. Retiring few hundred
yards they all made stand, and General Smith
arrived with reinforcements, and at once drove
the enemy again into their works
In the first Of the battle also, Col. w. H. l..
18th and iSth Regiments, participated; also Col.
'siBrigade-ali Of which troops suffer
ed severely. Opposed to these were twelve
thousand Rebels, supported by guns that had
been carefully placed In proper positions.
Gen Grant having, in command Of the division,
driven the enemy back with reinforcements and
gained the lost ground, at once ordered an ad-
vance by Gen. Smith on the left
Charging under hot fire up the steep hill on
which was located the outer redoubt, our troops
gained the high breastworks, and with hardly
pause went over them, planting the stars and
stripes over the walls under a most CALLING fire
They then formed, charged and drove the enc.
my back until he fell into new position behind
some batteries.
When evening came the Union troops had been
victorious at every point, having gained back the
ground lost in the morning, and got within one
part Of the enemy,s works. .-
Our troops held their position during the nj ght,
repelling the repeated assaults Of the enemy.
The scene within the captured fort after the
surrender showed how terribly the Rebel garrison
nad suffered. Everywhere were fragments of
shells and round shot, half buried In the earth;
tents Were torn to pieces, gun carriages broken
and blood scattered around.
In the left redoubt, where the assault had taken
place, the dead bodies lay thickly, and abundant
evidence OF a stern resistance and gallant attack
was visible. On the extreme right, where the
desperate sorte was made by the garrison, simi-
lar scenes were visible.
The gallantry Of the Union troops has been well
and severely tested, and they have proved more
than equal TO the task before them. ~~s
AS the feet approached the fort this morning,
a salute was fired, and thres cheers went up
when the American flag was displayed
No officer in the army had an idea of the extent
OF the deferces Of Fort Donelson, until they had
been gained and examined = -
Several Of our men, when out of ammunition.
rushed forward, and although exp sed to the fuIi
IRE Of the Rebel artillery, calamity drove their
foes back with the bayOnet and captured their
guns - -. .. = ..---.-- : 49,
The following are the names of some Of the
Rebel officers captured:-
Col. CAN'T, Col. Voorhees,, Col Forrest Col
Brown, and Col. Abernethy.