Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-26
THE wAR-1Nc1DENrs ANDNEws.
THE BATTLE AT FORT DoNELsoE.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS
On Saturday morning the battle was Fesum-
Ell with unusual vigor and determination
The Eighth, Eighteenth, Twentieth and Thirty
first Illinois occupied position above the fort
they were about preparing little food when
the rebels opened on tn m fire of musketry
The line of battle was at once formed and the
storm of Ieaden bail returned, preceptibly
thinning the rebel ranks. The rebels from
their advantageous position, showered upon
ourranks most N urder0us volleys Of musketry
grape and canister, killing and woundng our
men almost by companies at every round yet
every man stood his ground bravely, deter
minedy and without linching.
These four regiments Leld their ground
dealing death, dying and fighting against APP
palling odds, and in the face of every disad-
vantage. The Eighteenth regiment seems to
nave resisted the severest storm. Against
their ranks the rebels directed their heaviest
fire, but instead of falling back they advanced
to the face of the enemy, and there stood in
the very jaws OF DEATH with scarcely pros
pect that a single one would escape. For
three hours these regiments, numbering
scarcely two thousand men, held their ground
against the whole rebel garrison.
AT one time the Eighteenth, being partially
fanked, was exposed to a cross fire of both
muskery and artillery but our rights wing,
securing the rebels left, at once relieved them.
Bush, Acting Liept. Colonel, assumed com
mand, but vas soon wounded. Capt. Crane
was shot dead, Capt. Lawer was morta,ly
wounded, Lieuts. Mansford and THOMPSON
killed, Captains Dillon and Wilson and Lieuts.
Kelly and Scanlon wounded, so that tue da-
ring Egytian regiment stood before an over
whelming fire almost without officers. They
fell in heaps, dead and wounded. Companies
were bereft of captains and lieutenants cap
tainS almost bereft of companies.
The other three regiments did their duty
nobly. Colonels Oglesby, Marsh and Logan
dashed along the ranks, waving their hats and
cheering their mef TO the conflict. ''Suffer
death, men," cried Logan, ssbut disgrace new
er. Stand firm" And we'll they needed him.
Many fell dead and wounded. Among the
latter were Colonel Logan and Lieutenant Col
onel White.
Oglesby's and Marsh's regiments fought
desperately, losing, like other regiments, an
undue proportion OF officers. Colonel Ogles-
by displayed GOODNESS and courage that have
elected the highest praise, and served we'll in
stimulating his men.
Never, perhaps, on the American continent
has more bloody battle been fought. An
officer who participated and was wounded in
the fight says the scene beggars description.
SO thickly was the battle field strewn with
dead and wounded that he could have travers-
ed acres of it, stepping at most every step up
on PROSTATE body.
The rebels fought with desperation, their
using their pieces with most fearful
effect.
On either side could be heard the voices of
those in command cheering on their men,
The four Illinois regiments held their ground
full three hours. Nearly one third had been
killed or wounded, yet the balance stood firm
Finally reinfOrcements arrived, and for an
hour the slaughter continued.
About four O'Clock our right wing turned
their lett, and the rebels fell back into the
and our flag was planted upon
the position occupied by their left wing, and
Tor the time the slaughter ceased.
Dresser's and Schwartzs batteries were cap
tured during the action, but the Eighteenth
with clubbed muskets recovered
Dresser's while the Thirty-irst recovered
Schwartz'S.
Gen. Grant, having command of the div-
sion, drove the enemy back with the reinforce
ments, and gained the lost ground at once or
Iced an advance by Gen. Smith on the left
Charging under a hot fire up a steep hill on
which was the outer redoubt our troops gained
the high breaStworks, and with hardly pause
went over them, planting the Stars and Stripes
over the walls. Under a most CALLING fire,
they formed, charged and drove the rebels
back until they fell into new position behind
some batteries. When evening 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 enc
y's works. Our troops held their position
during the night, repelling the repeated as
sauls.
The scene within the captured fort after the |
surrender, showed how terribly the rebel gar
rison had suffered Everywhere were lying |
fragments of she'll and round shot, half buried |
IN the earth ; tents were torn to pieces, gun
carriages broken, and blood scattered around.
I,.af fa4tr
ken place, the dead bodies lay thickly, and |
abundant evidence of stern resistance and gall |
liant attack was visible. On the extreme right |
half mile distant, where the desperate sertie |
was made by the garrison, similar scenes were |
visible.
The gallantry of the Union troops has been
we'll and severely tested, and they have prov
ed more than equal to the task before them.
As the fleet approached the fort this morning
salute was fired. and three cheers went up
v here American flags were visible
CAIRO, FEB. ia large number of rebel |
prisoners were brought down yesterday. They
belonged on the Cumberland river, and as they
passed their homes, they looked wishfully for
ome face of recognition. Many were under
he impression that they would be paroled, but
When they found they were to be sent North,
hey were ready to take any oath. Two-thirds
a desire to return to allegiance.
Some acknowledged they had been humbugged
nto their present unfortunate position. Six
thousand prisoners have already arrived here,
md others will be brought down soon
win be procured.
Two more regiments were captured TO the
EAST of the intrenchments, and a number of
roops have come in and delivered them selves
Up. About y 600 stand OF arms were cap
ured. Many of the rebel troops destroyed
heir arms, and large numbers were thrown in
he river. There are two water batteries the
upper one with heavy rifled guns 32-pound
bore, and two 80 FOUNDER caronades. The