The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21
cling and taking possession of the ground
lost and little bill besides.

were then thrown forward.
Just as the shades of night drew on, we
we're In strong position ready to partici
on Sunday morning.
Ogelsby's, Wallace's, and Macarthur 3
brigades did the hardest fighting and have
suffered terribly. They would undoubtedly
have held their first position. but for failure
of ammunition until ordered to storm.
The ammunition wagons were some dis
lance from the hills, preventing their being
moved rapidly.
Some Of our best officers and men have
gone to their long home.
Hardly man who went over the field
after the battle, did not discover some CON-
rades who had fallen.
We lost three Lieutenant Colonies, and
at least one quarter of all the other officers
were wounded or killed.
During Saturday night contraction Of
all our lines was made for a simultaneous
assault from every point, and orders were
given by Gen. Grant to take the enemy at
|. the point of the bayonet.
Every man was at his post. The 25th
Illinois was on the extreme right.
WHAT WAS SEEN SUNDAY MORNING
At daylight an advance was made, and
when the full light OF day broke forth white
flags were seen hung in many places on the
enemys works.
An officer at convenient point was in.
formed that they had stacked their arms
and surrendered early in the morning.
PROPOSAL FROM BUCKNER FOR AN
ARMISTICE.
The following pithy correspondence pass
ed between the Commanders:
HEAD QuARrERs Fort DoNELsoN,1
February IT, 1867. :
SIR--In consideration of the circums
stances 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 capitulatiOn of the forces at
this post under my command, and in that
view suggest an armistice until II o'clock
today.
am very respectfully,
(Signed) S. B. BUCKNER,
Brigadier General.
REPLY OF GEN. GRANT.
A.
February Is, 1862 )
SIR--Yours of this date, proposing an
armistice, and the appointment Of commits.
sioners to settle terms of capitulation, is
just received.
No terms except an unconditional and
immediate surrender can be accepted. 1
propose to move Immediately upon your
works.
lam, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
Brigadier General Commanding.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
CHICAGO, Feb. l8-The Iribuaae's spe.
cial says that the position occupied by our
troops at Fort Donelson was sach that not
more than one regiment could operate at
the same time, While the rebels could bring
nearly their whole force to bear against
them.
The first regiment to receive the rebels
was the 18th Illinois, which fought with
desperate courage until their ammunition
was exhausted, when they were forced to
retire, and were replaced by the 9th. They,
too, were driven back after firing their last
round.
Meanwhile other regiments were lending
such feeble aid as their position would ad.
NIT.
General Wallace was then ordered to re-
inforce McClernand and sent two brigades
from the centre.
The 3lst Illinois Colonel Logan, fought
like veterans, defending Schwartz battery,
under most galiug fire, until every hors-
in the battery was killed, together with all
the officers who had charge OF the guns, as
we'll as the Lieutenant Colonel, the acting
Major, seven Captains and number OF
Leutenants of the 31st had been killed and
the Colonel wounded.
Being nearly surrounded Capt. McCook
who was left 10 command drew off what
was left OF the Regiment, not however un-
til the last round of ammunition was ex.
hausted and they had commenced to drive
the rebels before them.
The second brigade then came up and
took the place of the retired one and fought
desperately losing grrat number of killed,
but with the assistance of portion of
Wallace's division, 49th and goth Ohio,
drove the rebels back to their entrench
ments gaining portions OF ground lost
luC VI tuC lCoCtS was W
cut their way through our troops.
The General johnson taken is Bushrod
johnson, Brigadier from Tennessee.
MORE PA RTICULARS-FR0 ANOTHER
CORRESPONDENT.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. l8.--The Republican, s
Fort Donelson correspondent gives the fol
lowing account of the fighting on Satur-
day
Yesterday morning, just at daylight,
heavy sortie was made by the garrison
from the left portion of their works.
This attack was made upon the extreme
right wing of the Union army, where it
was the weakest point of General McCler-
nands division under Colonel Oglesby, con-
ssting OF bis brigade which was stationed
there, also Schwartz and McAllister's bat
teries.
The point of attack was upon ridge
leading into the right redoubt and was Sit
uated just above the man fort.
During the night the enemy could be heard
at work, but what at it was impossible to
tell, as thickets and woods encompassed the
Union troops on every side rendering the
view 10 any direction almost impossible.
Al