Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1862-02-28
correspondence of the Cincinnati Gaz-tte.l
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF THE
Battle At Fl. DONELSON.
Fort DONELsoN. Tenn. Feb. lS.

.
lrief and disjointed a manner that a
general resume of the operations of the
hnd forces will probably give your read
.rs better idea Of the whole affair than
they have yet received.
On Wednesday, the 18th day Of Feb
.uary, that portion Of the troops at Fort
Henry designed for this expedition,
having previously moved ont and en-
icamped along the road, in readiness for
the movement, took up their line of
march toward Fort Donelson. They
moved in two divisions, under the com
mands, respectively, Of Gems McCler-
nand and Smith.
The distance between the two Forts
is estimated at about twelve miles,
moving nearly due east after leaving
Fort Henry, we crossed range of high,
heavily wooded hills, which separates
Athe valley of the Tennessee from that
Iof the Cumberland, and descending the
Ieastern slope, the head of the column,
,about the middle of the afternoon had
arrived within mile of the rebel forti-
'feations, though concealed by inter
'venlng hills and thick woods.
r. General McClernand,s S division here
Edeployed to the right. occupying the
SUBMITS of series of hills on tho
south and east Of the enemy works,
while General Smith troops took sim
sar positions on the west. So near
were we that several regiments were di-
rected to extinguish their camp fires SO
soon as supper had been prepared, lest
the enemy should discover their posi-
tien aad she'll them during the night
The weather, however, Was so unusu-
ally warm and mild that fires were
hardly requisite for comfort, even when
sleeping upon the ground.
Early next morning the frequent
sharp crack of rifles, and the occasional
heavier report of musket, told US that
our skirmlshers were at work. Soon
after several batteries of our artillery
got into position and opened fire upon
some Of the rebel batteries, most of
which we're masked. A general attack,
however, which had been intended for
this day, was delayed on account of the
non arrival Of the gunboats, which had
been requested to cooperate with the
troops, but which, for some reason, had
not arrived. Later in the day the sound
of heavy guns in the direction Of the river
inspired US with the hope that the feet
had arrived. Subsequently it was aseer-
tanned that the reports proceeded from
the guns of the Csrondolet, which had
been making reconnaissance with a
view to ascertain the position and force
of the river batteries. During this day
also, brigade, consisting Of the Seven
teenth Illinois, and the Forty eig nth
and Forty ninth Indiana Regiments,
under command of Colonel Morrison of
the Forty eighth Indiana, attempted to
storm a battery of the enemy, situated
near the center OF their outer line, and
defended by strong force of Infantry,
concealed in rife pits. Advancing eau
| tiously through the woods until within
fair sight of the works, they rushed for
ward to carry them, if possible, at the
point of the bayenet, and although met
by fierce fire of grape and nlusketry
they pressed gallintly forward, and had
nearly reached the works when Colonel
Morrison was struck in the shoulder
with a Mimic ball and fell At sight of
their leaders fall, our troops became
confused, halted, and finally retreated
with considerable loss. Our artillerists
also suffered considerable loss, the rebel
gunners having apparently aseertained
the distance Of every surrounding point
on which artillery would probably be
placed; and as soon as our guns opened
from any new position, they immedi-
stely replied with accuracy and effect
Thus the frst day closed with very little
4 apparent gain to our side, and some Sc
we're losses. In addition to the depress-
ing effect of these, as the day drew to a
/ close, q cold rain had commenced fall
ing, which soon turned to snow, accom-
| panied by piercing wind; the sudden
change from the mild weather Of the
pastfew days was very distressing to
/ the troops, as, by order of the General
no tents had been brought, and the men
were obliged to lie on the snow in their
wet clothing, without shelter of any
kind. Many of the regiments neares,
the enemy's lines were unable even to
build fires, lest the light should expose
them to the danger of being shot by the
rebels. It was terrible night. Many
of the men suffered severely, and it was
feared that much sickness would result
from it. On Friday, although consid,
erahle skirnishing was done along the
lines, no particular events occurred
among the land forces The gunboats
came up and bon1barded the rebel bat
teries along the river, but with what
effect we could not then ascertain.
Early on Saturday morning, the brig
ade under command of Col. Richard j
Oglesby consisting of the Eighth
Eighteenth, Twenty ninth, Thirtieth
and Thirty first Illinois Regiments
which formed the extreme right Of oul
line, near the river. was attacked by a
large ferce of rebels, who marched ou1
of their intrenchments and pressed
fercely upon them, evidently with s
design Of forcing their way through, i
possible. Our men resisted the attack
bravely and, although pressed upon by
greatly superior numbers, they helc
their ground nobly. Their gallan
commander rode up and down the line
encouraging the men, and his efforts
were greatly seconded by the Colonel:
of the different regiments engaged
Not until ,eir ammunition began tt
fail, did these gallant regiments beglr
to give back, and even then many OF the
men, whose stock was entirely exhausted
took out the remaining cartridges from
the boxes of their wounded and dying
comrades, to enable them to continue
the fight. At last, when many of the