New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-19


wing turned their left, and the Rebels fell back into
the Notifications, and flag was planted upon the
position occupied by their left wing and for the time
the slaughter ceased. Dressers and Schwsrz's Bat
teres were captured during the action but the 18th
Illinois, with dubbed muskets, receveredDressers rs,
while the 3lst recovered Schwsrtz's.
ST. LOUIS, Tuesday, FEB. ls 1852
TIL, Pepublican's Fort Donelson correspondent
gives the following account Of the lighting on oatuf'
day: Yesterday morning just at day light heavy
sortie was made on the garrison from the left portion
Of their works. This attack was made upon the eX-
treme right wing Of the Union army, where 1t was
the weakest. Part of Gen. Netherlands division,
under Col Oglesby consisting of his brigade, which
was stationed there also Schwarzs and slcAlisters
batteries.
The point was upon a ridge leading into the right
redoubt, and was situated just above the main tort.
During the night the enemy could be heard busily
at work. but what at it IL impossible TO tell, a.
thicket and woods encompassed the Union troops on
every side rendering the view in almost any drec-
ton almost impossible. At daylight large body Of
the enemy suddenly appeared on the extreme right
wing Of Col Ogesby's command, and opened ter
rible fro FROM from their redoubts, playing at
the same time on our forces from guns placed
in position on the night previous. The camp Of the
18th and 3lst was most exposed, and the whole
brigade was at formed into line ar follows: 18th
Isnois held the extreme right sth Illinois next, 18th
Illinois next, then the 18th Illinois supporting the
right Of Capt Schwartz Battery, and the Dist de-
Tending the artillery on tie left. From the firing Of
the st gun till O'Clock the battle ragged unremit'
ting and with fearful loss on both sides. Again aud
again our troops drove the enemy back, bui they
were re enforced wbilo troops had owing to the
extended limos Of the army, and also their position
on the extreme right, to fight unassisted
More gallant fighting never took place than tha,
Of tn. Union troops. l. .osed to the terrible firing
of triple Of their numbers, they stood their ground
until in some regiments every officer WIS killed Or
wounded AT last and reluctantly, regiment by regi-
ment they slowly fell back, leaving Schwarn's
batteries and three of McAilisters guns i'll
Rebel hands Retiring few hundred yards, they
all made stand, and Gen. Smith arrived with re-
endorsements and at once drove tho enemy into their
works.
In the frs, of the battle was also Colonel W. II.
l.. Wallace Brigade, the lth, Doth, l7th and 18th,
troops suffered severely. Opposed to them were
$4,000 Rebels, supported by guns placed carefully in
position. General Grant, having command OF the
division, drove the enemy back with REINFORCE
ments, and gaining the lost ground at once ordered
an advance by Gen. Smith on the eit
Charging under hot fire up the steep hill on
which was the outer redout, our troops gained the
high breastworks, and with hardly pause went
over them planting the Stars and Stripes over the
WALL. Under a most calling fire, they formed,
charged aud drove the Rebels back until they fell into
A new position behind some batteries. When even
ing came the Union troops had been victorious at
every point having gained back the ground lost IN
the morning and got within one OF the enemy's
works Our troops held their position during the
night. repelling the repeated assaults.
The scene within the captured fort after the sur
render, showed how terribly the Rebel garrison had
suffered. Everywhere were lying fragments OF
shells and round shot, half buried in the earh tents
were torn TO pieces, gun-earrages broken, and blood
scattered around. In the left redoub, where the
assau had taken place, the dead bodies lay thickly,
aud abundant evidence Of stern resistance and gallant
attack was visible. On the extreme right, half a
mile distant, where the desperate sonie wac made by
the earrisons similar scenes were visible.
Tie gallantry Of the Union troops has been well
and severely tested and they have proved more than
equal to the task before them. As the fleet ap-
preached the forl this morning salute wac fred,
and three cheers went up where American flags
were visible
Nool'cels in tie army lad an idea Il Fort Dom
el,ous defenses until they had been gained and
examined.
Several regiments, when out Of ammunition,
rushed forward and although exposed to The full fire
OF the rebel artillery calamity drove their ioes back
with the bsyonet and captured their guns The fol-
lowing are the names OF some OF the officers caV'urod
Col CAN'T. Col Vorhies, Col. Forrest, Col. Brown,
and Col. Abernethy.
TIE Dcmocrafs Fort Donelson correspOn dent,
under date Of the 18th, says;
IL is impossible to state the precise exten. Of our
captures. everything being in confusion. The DIST
and 9th Virginia, and several Arkansas, Alabama,
and Texa. regiments, were among the force which
left with Pillow and Floyd. The Rebel and Union
officers frateInze with the beet feeling.
Yesterday Dispatch respecting the Union renti-
meut prevai rg among the prisoners here is much
strengthened BY subsequent intercourse with them.
The remark holds especially true Of the Tennessee
regiments.
The best officers among them are those who
yie ed to popular madness at the eleventh hour.
They cay they are sick Of this unnatural WAL fare.
,lisead by politicians at first, and betrayed by gen
erals since they have become most thoroughly dis
gusted with the bogus Confedoracy, and desire 20
withdraw from il at once.
Gen. Grant has energefically issued orders for
speety forward movement 10 still greater victories.
The Rebel officers assert that Gen. Johnston will
concentrate every available soldier of his command
a Nashville, aud make n desperate attempt TO re-
treve the mistortunes OF the past.