The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-01
WHOLE No. f.074


army and declared his in ention to live
no longer than the first battle. He
redeemed his fatal promise, and closed
his wild career a needless martyr to an
unholy cause.
y third Seeessionist, privs'e in
Mississippi company: left his companions
in arms, and, with horrid imprecation,
rushed into the midst of one of cur regi-
ments, his hand grasping his musket
barrel and armed blow at an Indiana
captain, but was sho. dead with rovol-
yer by bis opponent.
TIE MANNER OF FLoYD's ESCAPE.
Surprise has often been expressed in
my hearing that Pillow and Floyd should
have been able to escape with ave
thousand men, a num5er of peices CT
cannon, and supply of the best arms
This will Seem an easy task when it is
remembered that we had no force above
the Fort on the opposite side of the
river, and that steamers were lying near
Dover, and had been conveying pro-
visions to the Rebels for several days
without fear of molestation.
All that Pillow and Floyd had to do,
therefore, was to 60 down to the boats,
cross the Cumberland, and 20 up on
the opposite side as far as Nashville
1t was generally supposed we had troops
and batteries to defeat such move
ment, but we had not, and this is great
mis- AXE, for which some oEe-I know not
who's responsible.
SPIES IN THE UNION REGfMESTs.
A lieutenant in Nashville company
informs me that there are number of
spies in every Union regimen, and have
been since the commencement of hostii-
ties. He says private in our army, a
native of Tennessee, deserted from, Fort
Henry afser learning the exact number
of our force, with the names of regi-
ments and commanders, and the nature
of our plans, and unfolded them to Com
mander- in-chief Pillow at Donelson.
Onicial Report of Gen. Grant.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD,
FoRT DoNrLsoN, Feb. l6, 1852.
Gen. G. W. Cullom, Chief Of Staff Department
Of Missouri:
GENERAL 1 am pleased to announce TO
you the unconditional surrender, this morn
ing, of Fort Donelson, with twelve to hfteen
thousand prisoners ut least forty pieces of
artillery, and large amount of stores, horses,
mules, and Other public property.
l left Fort Henry on the l2ih instant with Q
force of about Is, 900 men, divided into two
divisions, under the command of Generals
NJ Lawn md and tyh
sent around by water, the day before. con-
voycd by a gunboat, or rather started one
day later than one of the gnnboats, with iu-
structons not to pass il.
The troops made the march in good order,
the head ofthe column arriving within two
miles of the fort at IL O'Clock N. At this
point the encmy's pickets were met and
driven in.
The Notifications of the enemy were frsm
this point gradually approached and sur.
rounded, with occasional skirnishing on thc
line The following day, owing TO tbs hon
arrival Of the gnnboats and endorsements
sent by water, no attack was made but the
investment was extended on the tanks OF ths
enemy, and drawn closer to his works, with
skirmishing all day. The evening ofthe 18th
the gunboats and rcnforccments arrived
On the lith gallant attack was made by
Flag Officer Foote upon the cncmy's works
with his fleet. The engagement lasted proba-
bly, one hour and half, and bid fait to result
favorably to the cause of the Union, when
two unlucky shots disabled two of the
armored gnnboats, so that they were carried
back by the current. The remaining two
were very much dis blcd also, having received
number of heavy shots abont the pilot house
and other parts of the vessel. After these
mishaps. | concluded to make the Investment
of Fort DOnelSon as perfect as possible, and
partially fortity and await repairs to the gun
boats. This plan was frustrated, however, b.
the enemy making most vigorous attack
upon our right wing, commanded by Gen. ].
A. McClcrnand, with portion Of the force
under Gen. l.. Wallace. The enemy were
repealed after a closely contested battle Of
several hours, in which our loss was heavy
The officers, and particularly field officers,
suffered out of proportion. l have not tho
means yet of determining of loss e1cn approx
imately, but it cannot fall far short OF 200
killed, wounded, and missing. OF the latter
l understand through Gen. Buckner abou.
$50 were taken prisoners. l shall retain
enough of the enemy to eNchange for thou,
as they were Immediately shipped of and not
left Tor rceapture.
About the close of the action, the ammu-
milton in cartridge-boXes gave ont, which,
with the loss Of many of the field officers,
produced great confusion in the ranks. See
ing that the enemy did not take advantage of
this fact, ordered charge upon tho left
encmy's right-with the division under Gen.
q. +. Smith, which was most brilliantly cx-
ecutcd, and gave to our arms full assurance
OF victory. The battle lasted until dark Civ
ing us possession Of part Of their entrcncl-
ments. An attack was ordered upon their
other flank, after the charge Of Gen. Smith
was commenced, by the division under Gems.
McCIernand and Wallace, which, notwith-
standing the hours Of exposure to heavy
fire in the forepart of the day, was CALAMITY
made and the enemy further repulscd. At
the points thus gained, night having came on,
all the troops cncamped for the right, feeling
that complete victory would crown their
labors at an early hour in the morning
This morning. at very early hour, General
S. b. Buckner sent a message to onr camp
under flag of truce, proposing an arm stce,
&c.
l cannot mention individuals who specially
distinguished themselves, but leave that TO
division and brigade officers, whose reports
will he torwnflcd as snoD as received T"
division conf anders, however, Generals
McClernand, Smith, anil Wallace, must do
the justice to say that they were with COM
mands in the midst Of danger, and were
always ready to execute all orders, ~ mat
ter what the exposure to themselves.
At tie hour the attack was made on Gen.
cdtntnand, was absent, having
received note from Flag Officer Fooie.
requesting mo to 60 and see him, he being
unable to call.
Ny personal statf-Col. j. D. Wcbtser,
chief OF staff; Col. J. Rigsin, Jr., volunteer