The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-03-06
SiNty.Eighth Regiment.
FORr DoNELsoS, +,

FORT DONELSoH, tcD. SiSti iobZ.
Mr.. EDIroR - We arrived at this place Friday
morning, l4th, and landed about three miles below
the Fort and with four other regiments marched out
to take position in the line of battle, which was
already partly formed. Our brigade, commanded
by Col. Thayr, was intended TO have occupied the
center Of the main army, but owing to some change,
after marching about mile, we were ordered TO re-
turn to the landing get our knapsacks, eat our din
ners and get ready to return by 10 O'Clock. When
We returned, Wallace's brigade marched out and
occupied the position formerly intended for us, and
we, after resting few minutes, again returned to
the battle field, and took our position on the left
flank, completing the line around the enemy, cut
ting them off thought, from every possibil-
ity Of escape. Our force was then estimated at
As 900, and that of the enemy at from $4,000 to
10000. There had been skirmishng all day Thurs
day the 18th, and pretty sharp engagement, in
which we had 40 or so killed and wounded. Fire
ing commenced between the enemys and our pick
ct at o'clock Friday morning, l4th, and by seven
O'Clock the battle commenced in earnest and lasted
until late at night without any decided result and
then only ceased, to be renewed at daylight Satur-
day the l5th with greater zeal and determination by
both parties. The enemy commenced the attack
early in the morning, and with such determination
as to drive our from one of their batteries but
they rallied, and in a few minutes retook it, and
drove the enemy back TO their entertainments, and
then the engagement became terrible. The whole
rebel force attacked the right wing of our army,
with the evident determination to break through
our lines and escape, but our brave men met them
with that courage and resistance which knows no
defeat, and they were faally compelled to retreat
back to the Fort. At the close of the engagement,
the 18th Illinois had but about 800 left out of 600
40 being killed, the rest wounded.
The enemy were determined 10 make another des-
perate effort, as Saturday afternoon too plainly
told. At O'Clock they brought out their whole
force and engaged the center of our line command
ed by Gen. Wallace, but as usual, they found more
than their match. Although they fought with
zeal worthy of better cause, they soon found il
foregone conclusion, that the fates were sgainst
them, that nothing but victory perched upon our
banners.
They stood behind their breast works until our
men came within is feet, when, they broke and run
in every direction, but rallied by tho time our men
reached their second fortfcation and attempted TO
make another stand, but they were attacked with
such undaunted courage, by the brave boys of
Ohio Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, that by dark, they
were forced TO retire within their only remaining
fertilization, and two of our brigades occupied the
position which but three hours before was occupied
by the enemy. Our mon slept on their arms, ready
TO renew the contest in the morning, and the third
srgade-tbe one TO which the sixty eighth was at
tached-was ordered forward, tolead in the storm
ing of their last and strongest ort6cation, which
think would have been bloody task, had its per-
formsnce been necessary.
But as we were marching up 10 participate in
that Of which until then. we had been but anxious
spectators, the news came along the line that they
had hoisted the "white Aag." The news was re-
ceived amid the shouts OF $4,000 men, and with
such enthusiasm that il sent the blood tingling
through my veins. Nothing bat the thought of the
dead and wounded Of our brave men on the battle
field, could detraet from the universal Joy as the
shout Of victory was borne from rank 10 rank, and
from regiment TO regiment, and from brigade 10
brigade.
We were then allowed to go in and view the
fruits Ct th. victory, which viii have TO confess