The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-02-20
ANOTHER DISPATCH.

ANOTHER DISPATCH.
The gunboats did not do the service
they did at Fort Henry, as the enemy,
lodged on high hills had the advantage of
them, as we mad no mortars. Three boats
were disabled soon after the opening of
the battle.
AS it would take some days to repair.
Gen. Grant decided not to wait, but to
attack the enemy with his land forces
alone.
At daylight on Saturday morning the
enemy opened on the 18th Illinois, Col.
Lawler. when all of Oglesby's brigade was
soon engaged. This was soon followed
by Wallace's and Ne Ar,hur's brigades ia
king part, the latter under Nc Clernands
command.
At the suggestion of Gen. McClernand
Gen. Lew Wallace from Indiana, sent up
fonr regiments TO support his division. who
were nearly out OF ammunition.
From the commencement OF the battle
in the morning until one o'clock the fight
ing was terrific .a.,5...
AS soon AS Netherlands division, who
had stood their ground SO manfully for
three hours, retired to procure ammunition
the enemy occupied the field.
At this time Gen. Grant ordered Gen.
Smith to move forward his division. and
storm the enemy's works on our left.
This order was obeyed with great alacrity.
aud soon the cheers of our daring soldlery
were heard. and the old flag displayed
from within the enemy's intrenchments.
Gen. Grant then sent word to Generals
Nc Clernand and Wallace that Gen. Smith
was within the enemy's intrenchments,
and ordering their forces to move forward
and renew the attack on the right.
AS the rebels, surprising we were on
the retreat, came yelling on: of their
works into the road, the Chicago boys
poured hailstorm of grape and canister
into them, sIaughtering dozens Of them.
simultaneously with this, the infantry
commenced firing at will, and the rebels
went rel NELL back into their works. our
men advancing and taking possession of
the ground lost, and hill in the advance
besides.
The fresh troops who had not been in
action during the battle. were thrown for.
ward As the shades of night drew on,
they were in strong position, and ready to
participate in the attack TO be made on
Sunday morning.
The three baigades on the right
Oglesby's, Wallace's and McArthur's,--
did the hardest fighting. They stood for
three hours under CALLING fire, and have
suffered terribly. as their decimated ranks
show.
Some Of our best officers and men have
gone to their long homes. Hardly man
went over the field after the battle. and
come away with dry eyes. Almost every
one would discover some comrade who had
fallen.
Our officers have suffered the heaviest
loss.
We lost three Lieutenant Colonies, and
at least one quarter of all other officers are
wounded or killed.
During Saturday night. contraction Of
all our lines was made for Simultaneous
assault from every point, and orde given
by Gen. Grant to take the enem, the
point Of the bayonet. sf
The next morning every man was at his
post. At daylight the advance was made.
and when the fall light of day broke forth
white flags were hung in many places on
the enemy's works.
A Federal officer approached convent
ent point. and was Informed that they (the
rebels) had stacked their arms aud surren-
dered.
Early in the morning the following cor
respondence passed between the respective
commanders: We omit the dates and IT,
ties. los
BUCKNER TO GRANT.
SIR--In consideration of all the cir
cumstances governing the present situation
of affairs at this station, propose to the
commanding officer of the Federal forces
the appointment Of commissioners to agree
upon terms of oapitulation Of the forces
at the post under my command. and in
that view suggest an armistice until IL
o'clock to-day.
f. ID