New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-17
Our Position Commands the Forts
MORTAR BOATS ON TIE WaY 10 THE SCENE.
SHORT WORK NOW EXPECTED.
The Rebels have HOiStcd tie Black Flag,

Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.
WAsHISGTos. Feb l6, 1874
The following dispatch was this morning 70
ceiyed at the Navy Department from Flag
Officer Foote:
U. 8 FLAGSHIP ST. Lows. near For Dox,isos.
Via PADrCAH. FEB. Is 1907.
To 0e Hon GIDEON WRLLZs sec,sicyyo Of I've NGrys
made an attack on Fort Donelson yesterday o, )
o'clock p. ~, with four iron-clad gunooss aud two
wooden ones and after one hour and quarer severe
lighting tie latter part of the day within less than
four hundred yards Of the fort, the wheel Of The
vetse! and tie ter of the Louisville Were Shot
away, rendering the two boats unmanageabie. They
4 en- jrifted down the river. The two remaining
boats alfo greatly damaged between wind and
water. This vessel alone received 50 ebots an1
the others about bali that number each. There
were 81 killed and wounded in this attack,
which we have reason to suppose would. In
fifteen minutes more, could tie scIion have been
c. ntinu.d, have resulted ia the capture Of the
for, hearing upon u.s. as the enemy was running
frou, biz batteries wSen the two gunbosis helpessty
Grifled dow The river from disabled steering apparx-
tus the relic wing tackles could not steer the vessels
in a strong current. The aeeug enemy returned
10 tie river battery guns from which they bad been
diveD, and again holly ured fire upon U.s. Tbs
euemy mutt have brought over twenty guns 70 bear
upon our guDtoats from the water baitery and The
main fort on tie hill white could Only return The
fire with twelve boat guns from The four boats One
rfed gun aboard tie Carcndelet burst during tos
action.
The officers and men in this hotly contested bus
me quail tight behaved with the greatest gsiantry
and de eroinson. all deploring the accident which
rendered two of our gunboas beip ess in the narrow
river and swift current. On consultation with Gen
G rant and my own o;hces-as my services here,
until we can repair damages by bringing upa :omps-
tent force FROM Cairo attack the fort, are much
less required than they at Carol shall proceed
to that place.
have sent the Tyler to the Tsnnesee River "
render the railroad bridge impossible.
Flag Cfkosr Commanding Naval Force Western Disbiss
Tie dispatch announcing victory at For' Donei'
son has occsonei intense joy; but up " 10 O'Clock
t, nigh, 10 official dispatches had been received in
confirmation of the report further than The. the up
per fort had been captured by the land forces.
CHioAao. Saturday. FEB. Is, isc4
The following is special Dispatch 10 The Ch.cags
Journal;
Two MILF. Ysox Foar DoszLsos.l
Iridsy, b cd IA, is6l !
The attack on For, Donelson commenced nj II
O'Clock yesterday morning BY the land forces under
Gems. Grant Smith, and Mcclernand.
The tort 10 surrounded by high steep hills, heavily
wooded, and protected By two rsdoob,s, treroheh
and rifle pits.
The rebels gave battle rom their intrenct nents
outside the forls but they were driven in siler
severe battle. and consie rable Ices on both SIDES
Our Troops hold two f. the Rebel batteries oatsids
Of the tort.
Our hoes is probably About 45 killed and rom $50
to 900 wounded.
Eight thousand troops and four gunboata arrived
last night.
The battle will be resumed to-day.
CaicAGo, Feb. IS, 1862.
A special TO The Tribune, dated Cemberh nd
River, near Fort Do lelson, l5,b, says,
The firing mmerced again at day break, and con-
,inued at intervals al day loag. w to O'Clock, no
movement or assault by the land fosses had boon
made. Night befcse lasl. an attemp: was mstk BY
tho Rebels 10 taxa Taylors battery Q. light artillery.
but they were nepuIs.d by two regimentS md
driven back beyond thsir intrencsmsns Cur loss
in wounded il considerable. but ns more than tire
or four aIv dangerously woanoed..
Six guubosa arrived yeslerday and comme'ced
an att .ek IN the fog. ~ in The aftenoon' Inc
firing was very rpii and severe aud lasted ons hour
and sweu,y rlinrtes, when oas gunoo i fell back.
Tn. anr iron-cal beats w,nt within 300 ysIds q
the fart AN the Rebel river guns except SIX were
.nbo, discounted or slerosd. The hrst she's fired
from III. punboat Iouisviiis dismeantsd the Rebel
l2S pounder.
The Louisville received 81 stss, tho Of which
took effect. Que striking .he siasboard sids Vi bel
deck Mad passing through the eu,IIe lengss Of The
lba,. killing three and breaking her nlier rope
n sLor, distance from The piot-house. TIE rope W.,
ltien managed by scme OF tho hands, when she,
from the Tyler, which liy some distance as'er,
burst over the Louisville, &C iiering the ueu VI "a
al er rope and 20 much disabled her steering tAssl
tlut tae boat W is compelled 10 orop astern. a sl(
st,uc, the Pittsburgh in tie bows and slove an il
m.noe hole In Yer, which caused her 70 drvp out ,
lie nc ion.
Tie leak, however, has been stopped. A sh,
,tu ck he pilot house Of the g.. Louis, rasir
through il between the p,os legs. witnout injurir
ese Et2bih Payc.