Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-02-19
TAXING OF FORT DONRLsON.
Particulafs Of tbe Fight.


oaIcAao, Feb. ia special from Fort
Doneison % the 4fnses saysEthe forces were
about equal 10 numbeF, bat the rebels had
all the advantage Of position, being well
fortified on Two immense hills, with their
fort near the river on a lower niece Of
ground. From the fort their entreneh-
meats, rifle pits and abbattis extended up
the river behind the town OF Dover. Their
tortihcattOns on the land side back from
the river were at least four miles in length.
Their water battery Ia the centre of their
tortihcations, where 1t came down to the
river, mounted heavy guns. The rebels
were sure of success. la any other cause,
against less brave troops, they could ea-
silly have held the position against bun.
dred Thousand.
The business ;of getting the different
brigades In position and attaching new ar
rivals to different commands took up the
greater portion of Friday night.
AT daylight en- Saturday the enemy
opened on the 18th Illirois, when all of.
Ogles0y's brigade soon engaged, which
was soon followed by Wallacc'sland Near.
thurs brigades. the latter acting under
McGlernandi as the position of troops had
been changed during the night and Gen.
Grant had been called away during the
night to the gunboats. The movements of
all the troops, except those attached to
Netherlands division, acted without any
thing except general orders. AT the sug-
gestton otsMcolernand, Gen. Wallace sent
up four regiments 70 support his division
who were near. out of ammunition. From
the commencemant until 10 O'Clock the
fRhtilgig teErifr. 81 s.
Ehs troops on the right we're iitposed.
eatolloWS: McArlhur's brigade, 9Th; 18th.
fist, nth and 18th Illinois; next oRlesby's
brigade, 9Th, 18th, 29th, Goth, 3Ist Iii.
nois, and Schwartz and Dresser's battery.
next HHllacs's brigade, llth, goth, 46th,
and 4sth. These three hrigades COM
posed McClernandlS division, which bore
the brunt OF the battle. 1t Was found.
that the enemy were concentrating their
main force to turn our right, which was
done by our men getting out of nmmpui-
ton and thecontusion of getting up rein-
torcements. retreating about half q mile.
As soon as the division which had stood
their ground manfully for three hours re-
tired the enemy occupied the field, when
Ger. Grant ordered Gen. Smith to move
forward his division aud stormthe euemy's
works on our left, This order was obeved
With great alacrity. Soon the CHEERS of
our daring soldiers were heard and the old
dag displayed from within the enemy's en-
treuchments.
Gen. Grant then sent word to Generals
AcOleruaud aud Wallace that Gen. Smith
was within'the enemy's entertainments. and
ordering their forces to move forward 10
renew the attack on the right. One of
Gen. WAllace's brigades the lltl Indiana.
9th Missouri and some Ohio regiments
were rapidly thrown in position, and a
company Of Chicago Light Artillery was
planted in the road. As the rebels sun
posing we were on retreat came yelling OUT
OF tue works into the road, the Chicago
ooys poured hailstorm of grape and can
mister into their ranks, slaughtering dozens
OF them. Simultaneously with this the
infantry commenced firing at VIII. ami The
rebels went pell NELL hack into the works.
our men advancing and taking possession
OF the ground lost aud hill besides
Fresh troops who hadinot been In the nc,
ton were thrown forward and as the shades
OF night drew on, were in strong posi-
ton read 20 participate in simultaneous
attack to be made on Sunday morning. =
gisby vPAllace'S and McArthuris bri,
BRaes'3td hhs hardest fighting, and In "a
sSltiefe 4stet sad 5W6GltI undoubtedly
have ilIeii BIZ first position, but for fail
nre of sum milton until ordered to storm.
Tue 9mm1pttion wagons were q distance
on, the bills preventing their being moved
rapidly.
Some of our best officers and men have
gone to Their long home. Hardly man
Weneover tie held after the battle but did
not dtscoVer7some comrade who had fallen.
We lost Ihfee Itentsnant Colonies. at least
one quarter allsOther officers killed OF
Wouhdeds
Daring Saturday night concentration
OF all our lines was made TO a simultane.
Gus assault 1t6m every point, and orders
were given by Gen. Giant TO take the ens-
my tat thesnoint of the hayonet. Every
man 1TAssat mis- post, the 9th Illinois on
tue extrep1 gilt. AT day light an nd.
YNnse Wasimade. When;IuIl light of day
broke forth, white flags wsre hung in MANY
places on thC epemyis works. An officer al
aiConYeutitt,lp point was Informed thai Nhey
bad stacked their arms and ,surrendefti a
early In tho morning, the following, pitiiy
corfesp 6uqea eo having passed between
their comuiapders:
HEApQuARfERs, FT. DoRELsoS.
Feb. 18th, 1862
Str:-tnl CONFEDERATION of all the cir.
eumstances governing the present situa-
ton OF affairs at this station, Ilpro pose 10
the. commanding officer Of the Federal
FORCES, the appointment of commissioners
to Agree upon terms of capitalization of the
forces at the post under my command. In
taat view I'suggest an armisttce until IL
O'Clock to-dey.
4 mi very respectfully,
TouF 0bedient servant,
lStgned S. D. BuCENER,
Brig. Gen'l c. s. A.
To Brig Ger. o. S. GRAxT,
Oomd'g % S.3FoTces near Ft. DoneIson.
80 s f7-ta so 2 Z