Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-24
General Grants Official Report OF the
Battle OF Fort DonelsOn-His Con-

represented to have been not less than $500.
General Grants official Report OF tn q
Battle OF Fort Donelson-His Con.
gratuIatory Order 10 Ifis soldiers.
~ HEADQUARTERS, ARMY IN THE FIELD.l
Fort Dohelson, Tenn, Feb 10, 1862
General G. w CaiIum. Chief Of Staff, Depart
rneHt of Missouri: 'fs
Sin: am pleased to announce to you the IN
conditional surrender this morning of Fort Don
eison with twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners, al
least forty pieces OF artillery and large amount
OF stores, horses. mules and other public prop
erty.
iien Fort Henry on the 10Th inst, with a
/ large force of about fifteen thousand men. III
vided into two divisions, under command of Gen.
McCernand and Gen. Smith. Six regiments
were sent around by water the day before. con-
YeYed by gunbOat, or rather started one day la
ter than one of the gunbOats, and with instruc
tons not to pass it,
The troops made the march in good order, the
lead of the column arriving within two miles OF
the fort at IL O'Clock NJ. AT this point the enc.
my pickets were met and driven in.
The Notifications of the enemy were from this
point gradually approached and surrounded with
occasional skirmishing on the line.
The following day, owing to the on-arrival of
the gunbOsts and renf0rcements sent by water,
no ATTACK was made, but the Investment was ex-
tended on the TANKS of the enemy, and drawn
closer to his works with skirmishing all day
The evening Of the 18th, the gunboats and re-
Inducements arrived.
On the 18th gallant attack was made by flag
officer FOote upon the enemy's works with his
feet. The engagement lasted probably one hour
and half, and bid fair to result favorably to the
cause of the Union, when two unlucky shots dis.
af,lpfl W. IF rrnnboafs so that they war oar
ried back by the current.
The remaining two were very much disabled
also, having received number of heavy shots
about the pilot houses and other parts of the
vessels. After these mishaps, / concluded TO
make the investment of Fort Donelson as per
feet possible and partially fortify and make
repairs to the gunbOats. This plan was frus
trated. however, by the enemy making most
vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded
by Gen j. A. McClernand, with portion of the
force under Gen. L. Wallace. The enemy were
eral hours, in which our loss was heavy The
officers, and particularly field officers, suffered
out of proportion. have not the means yet Of
determining our loss even approximately, but it
cannot fall far short of 900 killed, wounded.
and missing. OF the latter, understand through
Gen. Bucker about 300 were taken prisoners.
shall retain enough of the enemy TO exchange
for them, as they were Immediately shipped off
and not left for recapture. About the close of
this action the ammunition i'm the cartridge boxes
gave out, which, with the loss OF many of the
field officers, produced great confusion in the
ranks. Seeing the enemy did not take advantage
of this fact. | ordered charge upon the left
enemys rieht-with the division of Gen. G. f..
Smith, which was most brilliantly executed and
gave to our arms full assurance of victory.
The battle lasted until dark, giving US posses
sion of part of their intrenchments. An attack
was ordered from the other tanks after the
charge by Gen. Smith. which was made by the
divisions under Gems MeClernand and Wallace,
which, notwithstanding the hours of exposure to
heavy fire in the fore part of the day. was gal
lantly made, and the enemy further repulsed.
AT the points thus gained, night having come on,
all the troops encamped for the night, feeling
that a complete victory would crown their labOrS
at an early hour in the morning. -1
This morning at an early hour Gen S. B.
Buckner, under flag of truce, proposed an ar
mistice, &c. A copy of the correspondence which
ensued is herewith accompanying. ] can not
mention individuals who especially distinguished
themselves, but will leave that to division and
brigade officers, whose report will be forwarded
as soon as received To division commanders,
however-Generals McClernand, Smith and Wal
lace-I must do the justice to say that each of
them we're with their commands in the midst of
danger, and were always ready to execute all
orders. no matter what the exposure to them
selves.
At the time the attack was made on Gen. Nc
Clernand's command ! was absent, having re-
ceived note from Flag Officer Foote request
ing me to go and see him, he being unable to
call
My personal staff, Col j. d. Webster, Chief OF
Staff, Col j. Reggin, Jr., volunteer, and Capt
j. A Rawlins A. A. General Capts. G. b. Lo-
gan and w S. Hillyer. Aids and Lieut. Col V
B. Mcpherson, Chief Engineer, all are deserving
vice
For full details and reports of Engineers, Med
ical Directors and Commanders Of Brigades and
Divisions to fallow. .----..
L am General, very respectfully, your obedi
ent servant. fNgGw faNff
u S GRANT Brigader General.