The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-02-27
THE RArrLE OF FORT DONELsoN
General GRANTS Oaicial Report.

HiN @S~A DSNSbSSAt 49, - -
Gsasrol g. ". Callap, Chief Of SteT
DspGrtmsnt of Hissouyi:
GEEfRAL-I am pleased 10 anncnnosl to
you ths unconditional surrender. this
morning. otFort Douelsou. with-tweive
10 fifteen thousand prisoners, at least Az
pieces Of artillery, aud large amount OF
stores. horses. mules aud othsr, public
I left F ort Henry on the 1a,h inst,
with forceof about $4,000 men, divl-
ded into two divisions under the com
mand Of Generals Nc Clsrnapd and Smith,
Six regiments were sent around by water,
the day before, conveyed by gunboat.
or rather starred one day later than ore OF
the gunboats, with instructions not to pass
it. $50 a'l beg '.'+"
Thetroops made the march in good or:
der; the head Of the column arriving
within two miles of tho fort at IL o'clock
NJ. Atthis point the enemy's pickets
were driven in. " |
The Notifications Of the enemy we're
from this point gradually approached and
surrounded, with occasional skitmislling
on the line. The following day, owing to
the non arrival Of the gunboa's andre
enforcem ents sent by water, no attack
was made, but the investment was extern
ded on the 6Snks OF the enemy, and
drawn closer 10 his works, with skirmish-
Jog all the day. The evening OF the 18Th.
the gunboats and re endorsements arrived
On the 18th gallant attack was made by
Flag Officer Foote upon the enemy s
works with his feet. The eugagemen
lasted probably one hour and half, and
bid fair to result lavoiably to the cause
Of the Union, when Two unlueky shots
disabled Two of the armored gunboats, &c
that they were carried back by the cur
rent. Tho remaining two were very
much disabled also, having received 8
number of heavy shots about the pilot
house and other parts oi the vessels. AT
ter these mishaps, concluded to make
? the investment Of Fort Donelson as per
feet as possible, and partially fortify ant
await repairs TO the gunboats. This plat
was frustrated, however, by the enemy
p,aking a most vigorous attack upon ou
right wing, commanded by General j. A
cClernand, with portion of the forc'
under Gen. L. Wallace. The enemy wer'
reprlled after closely CONTESTED battle o
several hours, in which our loss wa
heavy. The officers, and PARTICULAR.
field officers, suffered out Of proportion
have not the means yet Of determining
Of loss even approximately, but it canno
fall far short Of 200 killed, wounded
and missing. Of the latter l understand
f through Gen. Buckner about 2A0 wer
taken prisoners. shall retain enough G
the enemy to exchange for them. as the,
were Immediately shipped of aud not lei
for Iecapture. .. ... .st.. ..s
About tho close of this action the am
muuilion in 'he cartridge boxes gave out
} which, with the loss Of many of the fell
officers, produced great confusion in tn
ranks. Seeing that the enemy did no
take advantage OF this fact, | ordered
charge upon the left -enemy's right
with the division under Gen. Smith, whicl
was most brilliantly executed, and CAV
! to our arms full assurance Of victory. -
The battle lasted until dark. giving u
: possession of part Of their intrenchment'
o An attack was ordered upon their o,he
! flank, after the charge by Gen. Smith wa
!. commenced, by the dvions under McClel
nand and Wallace. which, notwithsiant
9 ing the hours Of exposure to a heavy fir
: in the fore part of the day. was gallant
4. made and the enemy further repulsed.- :
At the points thus gained, night havin
= coma on, all the troops encamped for tn
b night, feeling that a complete victor
}. would crown their labors at an early hou
: in the morning This morning, at a YER
Q early hour. Gen. s. B. Buckuer sent
o message to our camp under flag Of true
proposing an srmistios. &c. A copy
' the correspondence which snsued is here
o with accompanied.
d | cannot mention individuals who spt
cialy distinguished themselves, but leay
d that to division and brigade officers who's
& reports will be forwarded as soon as recel
ed. To division commanders, howeve
s Generals McClernand. Smith and Wa
Q lace, must do the justice to say th'
d each of them were with their command
d in the midst OF danger, aud were alway
ready to execute all orders, no matte
N what the exposure to themselves.
3 At the hour the attack was made
/. McClernands command. l was AbseI
having received a note from Flag Offic
Foote. requesting me to 50 aud see hin
he being unable TO call.
= My personal staff-Col. j. D. Webst
Re Chief Of fSsaG; Col. j. Riggin, JrD vo'u
! teer i id; Capt. j. A. RAwlias. A.
General; Capls. G, B. Lagaw and W.
H,lyer, AIDS, and Lieut., Col. V. B. NJ
20 Pherson, Chief Engneer-all are deser
10 ing of personal mention for their ,gallau
~ ry and services, . ,...
For full details and reports and parti
~ ulars, reference is made to the reports
70 the Engineer. Medical Director and col
manders of Brigades and Divisions,
follow. ....r
u l am, General. very respectfully,
:. Your obedisnt Oervant.
y, ~ S. GRANT, Brig. &c