The New York herald., 1862-02-24
General Grants Official Report OF the
Capture OF Fort DonelsOn.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY TIE FIELD, |
foRr DoSEfSoS, Feb. 16, 1862.

BEADQU ARfERs ARMY TIE FIELD,
FDRr DoSErSoN, Feb. 16 1862.
Gen. c. W. coiios, chief OF staff, Department of Mis-
souri,
GEsERAI--I am pleased TO announce to you the un-
conditional surrender this morning, Of Fort Donelson,
with twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners at least forty
pieces OF artillery and large amount Of stores horses
mules, and other public property.
I Jeff Fort Henry the 18th inst, with force or
sbout 10 600 men, divided into divisions, under the
command OF Generals Mc(Iensnd and Smith. Six regi-
meuis were sent around by water the day before,
Voyed by gonboat or, rather started one day later
than one OF the gunboats and with instructions not to
pass Il;
Tho troops made tho march good order the head OF
the column arriving within miles Of the fort at
twelve O'Clock N. Al this point the snemy's pickcs
were met aud driven in.
The rortifcatio Of the enemy from this point
gradually approached and surrounded with occasional
skirmshpg the line. The following day, owing 10
the non.arrva Of tho gnboat and reinorcemsnts sent
by water, attack made; but the Investment was
extended the nks OF the enemy, and drawn closer
TO his works, with skirmisbing all day The evening OF
the 18th the gunbosts and renforcements arrived On
the l4th gallant attack made by Flag Officer Foos
upon the enemy's works with his feet The enga. .ement
lasted probably hour and half and bid fair 10 result
fsyorabiy to the the Union, when two unucy
shot. disabled two the arnored gnboas so that they
were carried back by the current. The remaining two
were very much disabled also, having received number
heavy shots about the pilot house and other parts OF
the vessels After these mishaps concluded TO make
the inv of Fort Donelson perfect possible
and partially fortfy and await repairs TO gunboats This
plan WAS frustrated, however, by the enemy making
most vigorous attack upon right wing commanded
by General McCleTnaud, with portion OF the force
under General l.. Wallace the enemy were repe!isd,
after csey ested battle OF several hours in which
our loss was heavy. The officers and particularly field
officers, suffered out OF proporton have not means
vet of determining loss even approximately, but
Il cannot fall short Of 200 killed. wounded aud
missing. OF the latter. understand, through
General Bucner about two hundred and Atty were taken
prisoners shall retain enough of the enemy to cx
change for them, AZ they were immediately shipped Oh
and not sft for rscspture.
About the close Of the action the ammunition in the
cartridge boxes gave ont which, with the loss OF many
6sd officers producsd great confusion in the ranks
Seeing bst the enemy aid not 'sse savsn.sge .. sas
with the division under Gen G. r. Smith, which was
'most brilliantly executed, shd ssve TO our arms full as
I posseeson part Of their inrenchnents An attack
was ordered upn their other flank, after the charge by
Gen Smith WAS cofpspcsd, by the divisions under Gen
srss Mctlernand and Wallace, which, outstanding
the hours exposure 10 heavy nre In the fore parMs
The day Was calamity made su The enemy further re-
ali the roops encsuped for the night feeling ths com
pete victory would crown their laors at an early hour
| In the morning This morning, at very early hour,
Gen g. B pucknsr sept message TO our camp under
asg O. truce, proposns armstice, Ss copy OF the
! corrsepondsnco which ensued IS herewith accompanied.
connot mention ind viduals who specially Distinguish.
I'd themselves but leave that TO division and brigade
o,cers whose reports win be forwarded az soon as
c.Ived 70 division commanders, however, Generals
NcCarnsnd smith and Wallace must do the justice to
ssy that each OF tbl were with their commands IN the
midst Of danger, ann were always ready to execute all
orders no matter wha, The exposure TO themselves.
Al the hour the attack was made on General MeCer-
! nsnds command was absent, having received noto
from Flag Ocer Footc requesting ine 10 60 and see him.
| he being unable to cali.
NV personal s,sn-coloneT D. Webster, Chief OF sta
Colonel J. Rggn, Jr., Volunteer Aid Captain > A. Raw,
l linz Acfin Adiufant Is.
W s. Ullyer, Aids aud Led ensnt Colonel " b. McPher.
SON Chief Fngneer-el deserving OF personal men.
| zion for their gsllantry and services.
For full details and reports and particulars reference
made TO the reports OF the sneneer medical director
ana commanders OF brgades and divisions 10 follow.
Iam General very respectfully, your obedsHt ser.
want, u, =, tfsANls bflkeuisI "s1rib