The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-03-12
AGTaphic Description Of she charge oi
Genaral anifh,s division

AGraphic Description OF the Charge Of
go General Smiths Division
A correspondent of the New York
Herald gives the following graphic
description ofthe charge Of Gen. Smiths
division at the battle of Fort Donel-
son. The correspondent says:
Capt. Hillyer started off to find
Gen. Grant, who had not been on the
field since half past four O'Clock in the
morning-it was now near noon. Hill.
yer met the General on his way back
from the transports, and communicated
the fact to him that McClernand had
been attacked, and compelled to fall
back, but had rallied and regained his
position. Gen. Grant Immediately
rode upon the field--it being then half
past one o'clock-and there learned
The status of the army. A body of
from ten to twelve thousand of the en-
emy had cut through our right flank,
aud escaped. This was the at,
tack upon McClermand. A CALLING
fire was being. kept up upon our left
centre from heavy seige and field artil.
lery, and our forces were being fast
decimated. To remain in this posi-
tion would surely prove our ruin; to
fall back out of the range OF the ene-
my's guns would demoralize the army,
and no alternative was left but to haz.
ard everything upon united charge
upon the whole enemy's works.
Though officers clamored and the men
were impatient to make the assault,
still the General hesitated, and it was
not until half past two that the order
to assault the works was given. Then
Captain Hillyer rode down to General
Smith to communicate the order, when
the old Generals visage cleaned with
new light. Said Captain Hillyer:
General Smith, General Grant orders
you to assault and take the enemy's
works in your front, at all hazards"
"Better late than never" said Smith;
."but I'll do il! Tell General Grant I'll
do it!'' And turning to his men he
said: SOLDIERS we are ordered to take
those works by assault. Are you
ready?"
AYE, aye, sir, ready! Hurahl"
And shout came from that phalanx
of brave men, such as comes from pat
riots only, on great occasions.
"Ready! Close ranks! Charge bay
onets! Forward! Double quick!- =
march," And march they did in close
order, the advancing brigade looking
more like a blue porcupiue, with its
quils turned forward, than aught else
| can compare it to, right up TO the re-
bel works. Though the enemy kept
up an iucessent fire from howitzer,
field piece and musket, Of shells, solid
hot and lead, Still that brigade march
ed on, nothing daunted, to the enemy's
earthworks, which reached, over it
went, right into the, midst of the but.
tcrnut colored devils who had so say.
agely welcomed them inside the en-
trenchment. When the blue coats ap.
peared inside the breastworks, the old
veteran, Charles F. Smith, At their
head, brandishing his sword and look.
ing for all the world like a dozen regi-
ments of regulars boiled down and
quientescenced into one man, the reb-
els took to their heels and left for, the
next line of entertainments as though
the deyei or some other justice of the
peace was after them with warrant
for treason. Our boys fired one volley
after them as they retreated, then
planted the stars and stripes upon the
walls, gave three times three cheers
when it swelled to the breeze and set
tied down for further orders. This
was the turning point of the fight. -
When it was discovered that the ma
tional ensign had been planted within
the enemy's entrenchments, Captains
Hillyer and Rawlings rode along the
lines, and, waving their swords, an
nounced it to the respondent troops Of
iMcCernand's and Wallace's divisions,
vino gained new courage and rallied to
the assault, upon the right. Then a
charge was made all along the ene.
my's front He was forced back to his
earthworks, leaving the open field to
our troops and securing to us an easy
victory on the morrow. zsa@ I'D 7'sis