Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-19
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
THE CAPTURE OF FORT DONELSON.
DETAILS OF THE BATTLE.
The Strength of the Confederate Works.

CHICAGO, Feb. 1s.-A special dispatch from
Fort Donelson says: The contending forces were
about equal In number, but the rebels cad the ad-
vantage In position, being well fort: fed on two
immense hills, with their fort near the river on
lower piece Of ground. From the foot Of their
entertainments, rife pits and abatis extended up
the river behind Dover. Their Notifications along
the side back OF the river were at least four miles
In length. Their wafer battery was in the center
Of their Notifications where they came down to
the river, and mounted nine heavy guns.
The rebels were sure of success, and In any
other cause, and against less brave troops, they
could easily have held their position against one
hundred thousand men.
The business of getting the different brigades
in position for attacking the works and the- -a6sv
arrivals OF additional troops to the different bri-
gades took up the greater part Of Friday night.
At daylight on Saturday, the enemy opened on
he 18th Illinois regiment, when Colonel Ogles-
followed by Gems. w alace and McArthur's bri-
gades, the latter acting under Gen. McClernand.
As the position Of the trOODs had been changed
during the night, and Gen Grant had been called
away during the night to the gunboats, and the
movements Of our troops except those attached to
Gen. McClernand's divisions were made without
anything except general orders, at a suggestion
from Gen. McC.ernand, Gen. Wallace sent up
four regiments to support his division, who were
then nearly out Of ammunition.
From the commencement until near 10 O'Clock
the hg hting was terrific. The troops to the right
were disposed as follows
d,
18th, 4lsi, 18th, and 10Th Illinois regiments.
Next, Gen Oglesby's brigade, consisting Of the
6th 18th, 29th, 30th and 3lst Illinois regiments,
with SchuatZ and De Cesser's batteries.
Next, Gen. Wallaee's brigade Of the 11th, Goth,
45th and 4Sth Illinois regiments
These three brigades composed Gen. McCler-
nand 8 division and bore the brunt of the battle.
1t was found that the enemy was concentrating
by eur men getting out Of ammunition, aud in
the confusion Of getting up reinforcemeets, re-
treating about half a mile.
As soon as the division, which had stood its
ground manfully for three hours, retired stated
Gen. Grant ordered Gen Smith to move forward
his division and storm the enemy's works on our
left. This orderw Obeyed with great alacrity,
and soon the cheers of our daring soldiers Were
heard, and the old flag was displayed from
within the enemy's entrenc hments
Gen. Grant then sent word to Gen. McClernand
that General Smith was within the enemv's en-
trenchments, and ordering their forces 10 move
forward and renew the attack on the right One
OF General Wallace's brigades-the 1lth Indiana,
sth Missouri and some Ohio regiments-was
rapidly thrown into position, and company A, of
the Chicago Light Artillery, was planted on the
road and as the rebels, supposing we were in
retreat, came yelling out Of their works into the
road, the Chicago boys poured hailstorm of
grape and canister into their ranks, slaughtering
dozens OF them. Simultaneously with this the
infantry commenced firing at will and the rebels
turned and fed pell NELL back into their works,
our men advancing and taking possession Of the
ground they had lost and hill besides Fresh
troops VINO had not been in action were then
thrown forward, and the shades of night
drew on were in a strong position to partici pate
simultaneously in the attack on Sunday morning
Gems. Oglesbie's, Wallace's and McArthuT's
brigades did the hardest fighting, and hove suf-
fered terribly. They would undoubtedly have
held their first position but for the fact that the
ammunition wagons were some distance off, the
nils preventing their moving nearer.
Some of our best officers and men have gone to
tneir long homes. Hardly man that went over
the Held after the battle but discovered some
comrade who had fallen. We lost three Lieut.
ColonelS, and at least quarter Of all the other
officers were wounded or Killed.
During saturday night contraction Of all our
lines was made for simultaneous assault from
every point, and orders were given by Gen Grant
to take the enemy at the point of the bayonet
Every man was at his post at daylight and an ad-
vance was made, and when the full light of day
broke forth, white flags were hung in many places
on the enemy's works
An officer at convenient point was Informed
that they had stacked their arms and surrendered
During The morning the following cores pond
ence passed between the commanders;
ReddqudTteTS, Fort DoasIson, Feb. l6, 1862
Sir: In consideration Of all the circumstances
governing the present situation OF affairs at this
stauon, propose to the commanding officer OF
tne Feoeral forces the appointment Of commits
sloners TO agree upon the terms Of the capituaton
OF the forces In this post under my command In
tnat view suggest an armistce until I2 o clock
To-Day; b. BUckNRR, Brig. Gen. &. 8. A.
~ ofIS ucu u .. Ordnt.
RsddQuartsrs IN The Field.
Fort DoaeIson, Feb is
To Gen. S. B. Bnckasy Sir: Yours Of tbi,
date, proposing an armistice and appointment ot
commissioners to settle on terms Of capitulation
is just received. No terms except An uncon,
ditional and immediate surrender can be 40.
copied. "' "o
propose to move immediately on your works
am very respectfully your ob't serv,t,
u. s. GRANT, Brig. Gen.
Hua now
Brig. Gen. Z: g. Grant, U. s. A.-Sir: The
distribution OF forces under my command Incl
dent 10 an unexpected change of commanders
ana the overwhelming force under your command
OF the Confederate arms, to accept the ungenerou,
ana unchlvalrOus terms which you propose
am sir, your servant,
5 b. BucKNER, Brig. Gen. C. s. A.
Our forces were soon In the enemy's works
"hefe the rebel officers gave up their swords
The bulk OF the rebels were chagrined as the,
Knew OF the surrender long before our men were
apprised oft.
Pillow and Floyd had planned and executed
,nelr r escape during the night, taking with then
Fioyd.s brigade and few favorites, occupying
what few small steamers they had
Many OF the prisoners acknowledge the hone
iessness OF their case, and intimated willingness
70 take an oath OF allegiance and return to thei
homes. :
Toa question put TO an officer as to how man,
prisoners we had, he replied you have all out O.
q, 600 who were not killed or did not escape.
tits impossible TO get list Of the killed and
wounded, as all the killed have not vet beer
brought In and are mixed with the rebels, Killed
The composition of the rebel forces was as fol
lows Tennessee IL regiments; Mississippi g
Texas 1; Kentucky 2; Arkansas 1; Virginia q, and
one battalion Of cavalry each from Alabama
Tennessee and Mississippi.
Iotal rebel force "a regiments of infantry and
artillery, and three battalions Of cavalry. =
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
DeSPe1ais Attempt Of the Rebels to Cat 1hsi,
Way Through the FEDERAL Lines = =
CHIcAso, Feb. 1S.-The Tribune,s special dis.
patch nom Fort Donelson gives some additional
points OF interest. The writer SAYS
The position of the ground occupied nv nm,
troops In tho attack on Fort Donelson was snch
tnat not more than one regiment could operate at
the same time, while the rebels could bring nearly
the whole force to operate against u.s. The irst
regiment to receive the rebels was the 18Th iii.
nois, which fought with desperate courage until
tneir ammunition was exhausted, when tb ev were
forced to retire. They Were relieved by the sth
Illinois, who also were driven back after drino
their last round. Meanwhile the other reoiments
were lending such feeble assistance az their posi-
tions would admit -NA P''a-
zen Lew. Wallace was then ordered IN ,ein-
forcs Gen. Mcclernand, and sent the brigades
from the center. The 31st Illineis regiment Coi
Logan, foug htlike veterans defending scbwa
pattefy under the most CALLING fire, until every
morse al the battery was killed together with All