Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-19
Another Grand Victory.
SURRENDER OF FORT DoNELSoN.
15THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN.
Capture of Gems. Johnson, Buckner and Pillow
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, TAKEN.
Received by Tuesday Evenings Mail.

On Wednesday the 18th day of February
the Union forces under command of Gen.
Grant and staff, numbering about 40 900, left
Fort Henry on the Tennessee river for FortDon-
elson on the Cumberland river. On Thurs
day Gen. Grant invested the Fort by establish
ing his lines in such manner as to complete
ly surround it, and cut off all reinforcement
from the enemy Cannonadng and skIrmish-
ing continued quite briskly all day. The 25th
Indiana, which rushed boldly up to the ene-
my's works, had 10 men slightly wounded
during the day. The 9TH Iowa and eth Illi-
nois who pressed the enemy close, also lost
some men. The gunboat Carondolet also
came into action and diSmounted several of
the rebel guns Brge's sharp shooters done
good service also, having kept several of the
enemy's guns idle by picking off the cannon
eers as fast as they made their appearance at
the guns. Gems. Pillow, Floyd, Johnson and
Buckner are said to be in command of the
rebels, who number about Is 900.
Fort Donelson is surrounded by high, steep
hills, which are heavily wooded, and protect
ed by two redoubts, trench and rifle pits. The
rebels have three batteries, on near the wat
er's edge, one fifty feet above this, and third
fifty feet above the second. Five gunbOats
with 5000 troops arrived on Thursday night.
The gunbeatS ST. Louis, Louisville, PittSburg,
Carondolet, Tyler and Conestoga, opened fire
on the Fort on Friday, but withdrew after
fighting little over an hour. The St. Louis
was hit by 81 shots. Two of the gunboats
were disabled. The boats directed their fire
principally at the water battery. One of the
enemy'S guns burst and several were dis
abled. A rifled gun also burst on the the Car
ondolet and killed six men. Our troops took
two OF the rebel batteries, having engaged the
enemy gallanty during the day. The loss
was considerable on both sides.
The fight was renewed on Saturday and rag
ed desperately during the day. The Illinois
18th suffered severely, and the Iowa 9TH sus-
tanned considerable loss. Two Coloneis were
wounded, and two killed. The upper redoubt
was taken at 4 o'clock by our forces. This
redoubt Commands Fort Doneson. Swartz'S
battery was taken by the enemy, but re-
captured by our men. Our troops behaved
with great galantry throughout the day. The
gunboats were pretty etfectualy disabled, one
having her rudder shot away. Com. Foote
twice wounded during the engagement
but not fatally. Gen. Grant telegraphed that
he would be able to capture the Fort on Sun
day. The Minehaha, on Saturday, brought
100 wounded to Paducah, and reports having
met the mortar feet on its way up the river.
On Sunday morning the 10th, the fight was
again resumed, and at about O'Clock the
rebels surrendered. The enemy are known TO
have had thirty thousand troops-fifteen thou
sand of whom are our prisoners, five thousand
escaped and the balance are reported killed, |
wounded or otherwise disabled, including GEN
erals Johnson, Buckner and Pillow. Floyd
skulked away in the night previous to the sur
render, and the rebels in the Fort denounced
him black hearted traitor and coward |
An immense amount of war material was
among the trophies of the victory. The gun
boats were present at the time. The troops |
en- route for the Fort had mostly come up and
were located on the left. The St. Louis had
three killed, two wounded, among them Lieu |
tenant kimball. The Louisville had five |
sailors killed, four slightly wounded two |
severely, each having both arms shot away. |
The Carondelet had four killed, six badly |
wounded, including VIM. Hinton, pilot and |
two severely. The Pittsburgh had two woun- |
ded. Our loss is not stated, but is said to be
heavy.
ST. Louis, Feb. 17.-This city is wild with
excitement and joy. The news was read
at the Union Merchants Exchange, creating
most intense excitement. The ssStar Span
gied Banner, "s.Fag of our Union' and s.Red,
White and Blue, was sung by all present |
after which they adjourned and marched 10
headquarters, 200 or 800 strong, where
three rousng cheers were given for Halleck
and FoOte. Gen. Halleck appeared at the
window and thanked the people for their
hearty demonstration, and said ssI promis- |
ed when came here, with your aid, to drive
the enemies of our flag from your State. |
This has been done, and they now virtual
ly out of Kentucky, and soon will be out of
Tennessee" (More cheers for the Union
Gu.
and the crowd dispersed. Judge Holt wept
for joy when he heard the news. Many stores
are closed, and the city is being decorated
with flags and evidence of great Joy is mani |
tested everywhere. A requisition has been
made for all the steamboats, in this vicinity to
be held in readiness for transporting troops
and government stores.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 17.-News of the Capture |
of Fort Donaldson reached here at IL O'Clock
is wi iph
and joy. Enthusiasm on change was unbound |
ed. The steamer Allen Collier leaves to- night |
with twelve surgeons, and over one hundred |
boxes of supplies for Fort Donaldson. Three |
thousand dollars was subscribed in short time |
for the relief of the wounded. The u. S. San |
itaay Commission telegraphed to Gen Hat |
leck to send to Cincinnati as many wounded |
soldiers as he saw proper saying the citizens |
of Cincinnati would most gidly provide for
them. Tonight general illumination with
bon-fires and fireworks will take place. A
national salute will be fired from the heavy
guns on the Notifications around the CITY to-
morrow. Troops have been passed through |
the city all day, cnroute for Cumberland river
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-On the opening of
the House, Mr.. Colfax Of indiana, by leave. |
announced the capture of Fort Donelson, hay-
ing been requested by Gen. Mcclellan to
make the announcement. The news was re-
ceived with great applause. The announce
ment of Floyd's cowardice was RECEIVED with
laughter. The announcement of our victory,
was received in the Senate chamber with one
tremendous cheer.
On learning that the rebels were eyacuatinp
Bowling Green, Gen. Buell. ordered Gen.
Mitchell to advance by forced marches, and
save If possible, the bridges on the Big Barren
river, but the rebels had destroyed them be-
fore his arrival. 1t is said thet Crittenden is