Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-19
THE FORT DoNELsoN VICTORY.

Another Account Of the Last Days Fight.
CINCINNATI, Febzls-The following 10 an ac-
count Of the fighting on Saturday at Fort Donel-
On Saturday morning the battle was resumed
with unusual yigor and determination. -.
The LIST, 18th, 10th and 2lst Illinois regiments
occupied positions above the fort. They Were
about preparing little food for the days susie
nance, when the rebels opened on them fire Of
musketry. -
A line OF battle was at once formed, and the
storm Of leaden hail returned, perceptibly thin
ming the rebel ranks.
The Rebels, from their advantageous positions,
showered upon our ranks most murderous vollevs
of musketry, grape and canister, killino and
younding- our men, almost by. companies, at
every round. Yet every man stock his ground
bravely.- These four regiments held their ground
dealing death and dying and lighting against
vantage The 18th Illinois regiments sseems- to
have resisted the severest storm. Against their
ranks the Rebels directed their heaviest FIRE; but
of the enemy, aud there stood in the very jaws Of
death, with scarcely prospect that single one
would escape. -. 80 &c - 81.
For three hours these regiments, numbering
scarcely three thousand men, held their ground
against the whole Rebel garrison. a-.d - -.r5
At. one time the 18th, being partially hanked |,
was exposed to a cross Are Of both musketry and
artillery, but our right wing soon relieved them
At this critical moment Colonel LAWYER fell.
Captain Bush, acting Lieutenant Colonel, then
assumed the command, but was soon wounded;
Captain Cruise was shot dead; Captain Lawler
was MORALLY wounded; Lieuts Munsford and
Thompson were killed. Captains Dillon and Will
son, and Lieuts Kelly and Scanlan wounded; 80
that the daring " Egyptian Regiment" stood
before the almost overwhelming force without
officers.
They fell In heaps. dead and wounded. Com
panies were bercft of captains and lieutenants,
and captains were almost bereft Of companies;
the other three regiments did their duty nobly;
Colonies Oglesby, Marsh, and Logan dashed
along the ranks, waving their hats, and cheering
their men OIL to the conflict. "Sufer DEATH
cried Logan, "out disgrace never Stand firm w
and well they needed MIN. Many fell dead and
wounded. Among the latter were Colonel Logan
and Lieut.. Colonel White.
Coils. Oglesby and Marsh's regiments fought
desperately, losing, like the other regiments, an
undue proportion Of officers.
Col. Oglesby displayed a GOODNESS and courage
that has elected the highest praise, and served
well in stimulating his men. .t 4. s-. ....
Never, perhaps, on the American continent,
has more bloody battle been fought. An officer
who particpat d, and was wounded In the fight,
says the scene beggars description. So thickly
was the battle field strewn with dead snd
wounded, that he cold have traversed acres Of 1t
by taking almost every step upon postrate body
The Rebels fought with desperation, their artil-
lerists using their pieces with the most fearful
| effect. -H asses .....
On either side could be heard scores of those
| in command cheering on their men. The -four
| Illinois regiments held their ground full three
| hours. Nearly one-third had been killed OF
wounded, and yet the balance stood Arm. Final
| ly, renforcements arrived, and fer an hour the
| slaug hter was continued.
| About four O'Clock our right " In turned the
enemys left, and the Rebels fell ba * into theil
Notifications, and our flag was an ed upon thu
position occupied by their left .ng for a time
/ the slaughter then ceased.
/ Dresser's and Schwartz's batteries were cap
1 tured during the action, but the ct Illinois
terry, while the 3lst recovered thai O. Captain
i Schwartz.