Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-02-20

round shot half buried 10 the earth. Tents
we're torn TO pieces. gun carriages broken.
and blood scattered around. In the latter
redoubt, where the assault had taken place,
dead bodies lay thickly and abundant evil
dence Of stern resistance and gallant attack
was visible. On the extreme right. half n
mile distant. where the desperate sortie was
made by the garrison similar scenes we're
visible. The Rallantry of the Union troops
has been well and severely tested, and they
have proved more than equal to the task
before them.
As the fleet approached the Fort this
morning a salute was fired and loud cheers
went up when tho American flags were Wis
ible.
No officer in the army had an idea Of Fort
Donelson's defence, until they had been
gained and examined.
Several regiments when out of ammunition
rushed forward, and although exposed to
the full fire of the rebel artillery, CALAMITY
drove their foes back with the bayonet, aud
captured their guns.
The following are the names of some of.
the rebel officers captured Col. Cant; Col.
VOORHEES,, Col. Poorest, Col. Brown and
Col. Alternately.
CHICAGO, Feb. lS,-The Tribune's spe.
cial says the position Of the ground occu-
pied by our troops to attack Fort Donelson
was such that not more than one regiment
could operate at the same time, while the
rebels could bring nearly the whole force to
bear against us.
The first regiment to receive the rebels
was the 18th, which fought with desperate
courage until their ammunition was ex-
hausted, when they were forced to retire.
II was replaced by the Sth. They, too, were
driven back after firing the last round
meanwhile the other regiments lending such
feeble aid as their positions would admit
Gen. Wallace was ordered to reinforce Nc
Clernand, and sent two brigades from the
centre. The 3lst Illinois, Col. Logan,
fought like veterans, defending Schwartz's
battery under the most calling fire, until
every horse at the battery was killed, to-
gether with all the officers who had charge
of the guns, as well as the Lieut.. Colonel,
Major, seven Captains and a number of
Lieutenants of the 3lsthad been killed, and
the Colonel wounded. Being nearly sur
rounded, Capt. McCook, who was left in
command, drew off what was left of the
regiment, not, however, until the last round
was exhausted and they had commenced to
drive the enemy before them.
The Second brigade then came up and
took the place of the retired one, and fought
desperately, losing a g great number in killed,
but with the assistance of a portion of
Wallace's division, drove the rebels back to
their entertainments, gaining u portion Of
the lost ground.
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, Feb. lS.-The steamer Memphis
arrived from Fort Douelson this evening,
bringing "a Mississippi regiment of prisoners
and fifty orsixty 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 tc
have gone to Nashville, where, or at Clarks
vile, it is supposed the Confederates will
attempt to make a stand.
This evening a great light was seen fol
several hours in the direction of GAINESVILLE,
and it is supposed the rebels have eitheI
burned the town or their steamboats, on tn,
river, to prevent them falling into our hands
Rebel officers adult that if we take Nash
vile, the rebellion in Tennessee is gone up
The prisoners will probably be sent t
Camp Douglas at Chicago.
=. CORRESPONDENCE.