Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-02-18

anu huNlsVu MS nearerb 10 make the Dest terms
possible for themselves with the United
States
The House Military COMMITTEES are consid-
ering bill to enlarge the Michigan and
Chicago Canal 10 the capacity for ships. It
heard to day delegation from Illinois, and
examined their plans for the improvement,
including the deepening of the Illinois River
to the Mississippi, through which the canal
and river pass. They have agreed 10 surren-
Ger their property and jurisdiction to the
Government for while, and 10 receive the
tolls in payment of interest on the invest.
ment
Mr.. Blair, Chairman, has been authorized
to report the bill for the week.
Six hundred and sixty sailors (voluuteers
from The Massachusetts, and Maine reaimentsO
have started for Cairo TO. day, to man the
eight iron clad gunboats which have been
waiting for them more than two weeks.
Every seafaring mau in the regiments from
whom those were detailed was anxious to be
one of them.
NEW YoRK, February lS The Board of
Aldermen authorized the Committee on
Military Affairs TO take steps for extending
formal reception TO Colonel Oorcoran and his
fellow-prisoners on their arrival in this CITY
CHICAGO, February lS.--The Tribuqes
special says the position of ground occupi.
pied by our troops to attack Fort Doneson
was such that not more than one regiment
could operate at the same time, while the
rebels could bring nearly their whole force
to bear against us. The first regiment to
receive the rebels was the Eighteenth, which
fought with desperate courage until their
ammunition was exhausted, when they were
forced to retire. II was replaced by the
Eighth. They, too. were driven back after
firing the last round. Meanwhile the other
regiments lending such feeble aid as their
positions would admit.
Lew. Wallace was then ordered TO reinforce
MtClernand, and sent two brigades from the
center. The Thirtvfrst Illinois, Colonel
Logan, fought like veterans, defending
Schwarzs battery under the most CALLING
hIe, until every horse at the battery was
killed, together with all officers who had
charge OF the guns, as we'll as Lieutenant.
Colonel, the acting Major, and seven Gao
tains and number of Lieutenauts of
the Thirty-frst had been killed, and
the Colonel wounded. Being nearly sur.
rounded, Captain McCook, who was left in
command, drew OFF " hat was left of the regi.
ment-not, however, until the last round
was expended and they had commenced to
drive the rebels before them.
The Indiana brigade then came I'D, and
took the place of the retired one, and fought
desperately, losing a great number killed,
but with the assistance of portion of Wal.
lace's division, the 49th and 9th Ohio, drove
the Rebels back to their entrenchments.
gaining portion of the ground lest. The
object of the Rebels was evidently to cut
their way through our troops.
The General Johnson taken is Bushrod
johnson, a Brigadier from Tennessee.
CAIRO, February 1.-THE steamer Men,
pins arrived from Fort Donelson this even-
ing, bringing a Mississippi regiment prison.
ers, ana nifty or sixty wounded soldiers, who
were left at Mound City. Eight or nine
other boats are on the way with rebel
prisoners.
The rebels who escaped are supposed to
bsve gone to Nashville or CarksvilIe where
il is suppO ed the Confederate5 will attemnt
to make another stand.
This evening a great light was seen for
several hours in the direction of Clarksville,
and it is supposed that the rebels have eithsr
burned the town or their steamboats, in the
river to prevent them from falling into our
hands.
Rebel officers admit that if we take Nash
vile, the rebellion in Tennessee is gone up
The prisoners will probably be sent to
Camp Douglas, at Chicago.
ST. LOUIS, February ls.-The Republicans
Fort Donelson correspondent gives the fol-
lowing account of the fighting on Saturday:
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 wrecked
Part of General Netherlands Division,
under Colonel Oglesby, consisting of his
brigade, which was stationed there; also
Schwartz and McAllister's batteries The
point was upon a ridge leading into the
right redoubt, and was sisuated Just above
the main fort
During the night the enemy could be
heard bnsily at work, but what at it was i'm.
possible to tell, as thCkets and woods en-
compassed the Union troops on the enemy's
side, rendering the view in any direction
almost impossible
At daylight a large body of the enemy
suddenly appeared on the extreme righ. wing
of Colonel Oglesby's command, and opened
terrible fire with cannon from their re-
doubts, playing at the same time upon our
forces from guns placed in position on the
night previous
The camp of Twenty. ninth and Thirty
first Illinois was most exposed, and the
whole brigade was at once formed into line
as follows: Eighteenth Illinois held the
extreme right, the Eighth Illinois next, the
Thirtieth Illinois next, then the Twenty
ninth Illinois. supporting the right of Cap
tain Schwari1's battery, the Thirty.fi first Illi-
nois defending the artillery on the left.
From the firing of the first gun until nine
o'clock the battle raged uuremittingly, and
with fearful loss on both sides.
Again and again our troops drove the
enemy back, bur they were often reinforced,
while our troops had, owing to the extended
lines OF the army, and also their position on
the extreme right, to fight uu assisted.
More gallant fighting never took place
than that of the Union troops exposed to
the terrible firing of triple their number
They stood their ground until in some regi-
ments every officer was killed or wounded.
AT last, and reluctantly, regiment by reg-
ment, they slowly fell back, leaving
Schwartzs Battery and three Of McAllister's
guns in the rebels hands.
Retiring few hundred yards, they again
made a stand, and General Smith arrived
with reinforcements, and at once drove the
enemy again into their works.
10 first OF the battle was also General Wal.
laces brigade, the Eleventh, Twelfth, Seven.
teenth aud Forty eighth. Also, Colonel
McArtbur's brigade, all of which troops suf-
feTed severely.
Opposed 10 them were twelve thousand
rebels, supported by guns placed carefully in
position.
General Grant having command of a divis.
ion, drove the enemy back with reinforce
ments, and gained the lost ground, and at
once ordered an advance by General Smith
on the left. Charging under hot FIRE up
the steep hill, on which was the outer re-
doubt, our troops gained the high breast.
works, and with hardly pause, went over
them, planting the Stars and Stripes over
the walls under most CALLING fire.
They formed and charged, and drove the