The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-02-21
Great Federal Vic
tory
Fort DOneisOu COptured, nutl
$4,000 Prisoners TakeuI

sklrmlshln8 continued uuflnS thc uay
Only one OF the gunboa,s, the Can ondo !
let, was engaged, and she was compelled
10 withdraw. The Rebels claim TO have
been successful in repulsing our troops on
Thursday. 1t does not app, ar however,
that the attack upon their position that
day was in force. The operations were
simply those OF feeling the enemy, draw
Ing their Gre, and ascertaining their posi-.
ton and strength. The loss was not very
heavy on either side. '1. ia.I.t
A., A special TO The Missouri Demoerot, da-
ted Cairo, Sunday p. NJ, says Commo-
dore Foote reached here at l2 O'Clock
last night on the Conestoga. He stormed
Fort DoncIson on Friday p. NJ. with gun
boats ST. Louis, Louisville, Carondolet,
Pittsburgh, Tyler and Conestoga, aud af-
ter fighting little over an hour, he with
drew. So men were killed and wounded
on the gunboats, Pilots Riley and Hin
ton Of the St. Louis being among the lat
ter. Com. Foo'e, while standing on the
pilot house OF the ST. Louis, his flag ship,
was slightly wounded. The ST Louis
was hit 6l times. Two gunboals were
disabled. The Tyler and Conestoga re.
NAMED out Of range Of the enemy's guns.
The line Of battle was as follows: The ST.
Louis on the right, next the Louisville, the
Piusburgh, and the Carondolet on the
left. The enemy's firing was very accu.
rate. They had three batteries, one near
the water, one forty feet above this, and
a third Glly feet above the second. The
upper one mounted four 8 pounders.-
This one was held in reserve until our
boats got within 400 yards Of the fort
Our FIRE was directed principally at tho
water battery. One OF the enemy's guns
burst and number were dismounted.-
The enemy could be seen carrying their
dead out OF the trenches. All the gun
boats were left up the Cumberland ex-
oept the Conestoga, and she leiA there yes
terday morning. A riled gun upon the
Carobdolet burst, killing 6 men. The
rudder OF the Pittsburgh was shot away.
The mortar boats left here yesterday in
the morning, "a sla.s. al wr 4u5 ta,,
h Com. Foote reports that he could bring
but twelve guns TO bear against twenty
Of the enemy, but, il he could have kept
up the fire fifteen minutes longer, The fort
would have been taken, as the enemy
were flinching from their guns. Com. f.
was twice slightly wounded. He is not,
however, reported as disabled so as to be
incapaci;ated Tor further service at this
lime. ....s.s .... fa.r.ft q, ..srt
CHrcAao, Feb. l7.-Special 10 the
Chicago Times: The forces were about
equal in numbers, but the rebels had all
the advantage Of position. being well for
tilted on two immense hills, with their fort
near the river On the lower piece OF
ground from the tort, their rentrenchments,
rifle-pits and aba.tis extended up the river,
behind the town of Dover. Their for,i-
fcations on land, the side back from the
river. we're at least four miles in length.
Their water battery in The centre OF the
Notifications. where it came down to the
river, mounted nine heavy guns. ,a .-.
The rebels were sure of success. In
any other cause, and against less brave
troops, they could easily have held po-
sition against 100 200. 'r3 7a,g '1n'E
The business Of getting different brig
ades in position, and attaching new arri.
walls to different commands, took up the
greater portion Of Friday night. AT day
light on Saturday the enemy opened on
the 18th Illinois, when all Of Oglesby's
brigade were soon engaged, which was
soon followed by Wallace's and McArthur's
brigades, the latter acting under Nc
Clernand.
AS the position Of the troops had been
changed during the night, and as Gen.
Grant had been called away during the
night TO the gunbosts, the movements oil
all The troops, except those attached TO
McClernand's division, acted without any
thing except general orders. At sug-
gestion from McClerhand, Gen. Wallace
sent four regiments to support his dvis.
ion. who were near out OF ammunition.
From the commencement until ten
o'clock the lighting was terrific. r,.s.e
The troops on the right were disposed
as follows McArthur's brigade, OH, l eth,
dist, I7,h and l9.h Illinois next OgIes-
bu's brigade. oh, 18Th, go h, 30.h and
3lst IiEnois, and Schwartz and Dresser's s
batteries next Wallace's brigade, l1th,
l2,h, 45th and 48,b. These three brig
ades composing McCiernand's division
bore the brunt Of the battle. II twas found
the enemy were concentrating their main
force 10 turn our right, which was done
by our men getting cut Of ammunition,
and in the confusion Of getting up. re-
Inducements. re;realing about hall mile.
As soon as The division, which had stood
ground man!ully for three hours. retired,
the enemy occupied the field. when Cen
eral Grant ordered General Smith TO
move forward his division, aud storm the
enemy's works on our left. This order
was obeyed with great alacriiy. Soon
the cheers OF our daring soldiers were
heard. and our flag was displayed from
within the enemy's entertainments. Gen.
Grant then sent word 10 McClernand and
Wallace that Smith was within the en-
emy's enirencbments. and ordering their
forces TO move forward and renew tho at.
tack on the right. l a .H~if ollt
One Of the outside brigades. the llth
Indiana, 8lh Missouri, and some Ohio
regiments, were rapidly thrown in po.
sition, and Company A. Chicago Light
Artillery, planted in the road. AS the
rebels, supposing we were reireating came
yoII;no ont of thnir WORKS into iha road