The New York herald., 1862-02-24
General Grants OficiaI Report or the
Capture OF Fort DOnelsOn.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN TIE FIELD,
FoRr DoSElsoS, Feb. 16, 1862.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN TIE FIELD
Foar DoSElsos, Feb. 16. 1862.
Cen G. W. cot,os chief OF STAFF, Department of Mis-
souri,
GEsEHAI--I pleased 10 announce 70 you the un-
conditional surrender, this morning, Of Fort Donelson
with twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners at least forty
pieces OF artillery and large amount Of stores, horses
mules, and other public property.
iert Fort Henry the 18th Inst, with force OF
about 10 900 men, divided into divisions, under the
command OF Generals McClernand and Smith. Six regi
euts sent around by water the dag BEFORE con-
yoyed by gdnbost ,or rather, started one day later
than Of the gnboats and with instructions not to
pass II.
Tho troops msde the march in good order the head OF
the column arriving within two miles OF the fort at
twelve O'Clock n. Al this point the snemy's pickets
were met and driven in.
The for6cat ions Of the enemy wero from this point
gradually approached and surrounded, with occasional
skirmjshing on the ine The following day, owing TO
the non-arriva Of tho gunboa and renorcemsnts sent
by water no attack was made but the investment was
extended on the fanks Of the enemy and drawn closer
TO his works with skrmsbing all day. The evening OF
the 18th the eunbosts aud reinfocements arrived On
the l4th gallant attack was by Flag Officer Foote
upon the enemy works with his feet The engagement
lasted probably hour and half and bid fair 10 result
fsvorably to the OF the Union when two unuciy
shot. disabled o the amored gunboats so that they
were carried back by the current. The remaining two
were very much disabled also having received number
heavy shots about the pilot house and other parts OF
the vessels After these mishsps concluded to make
the investment of Fort Doneson ss perfect as possible
and fortify and await repairs gunboats This
plan was frustrated, however, by the enemy making n
most vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded
by General j. A. McCernaud, with portion OF the force
under General l.. Wallace The enemy were repealed
after csey esed battle OF several hours in which
our loss heavy The officers and particularly field
officers suffered out OF prooor.en % nays no. means ANS
| IL cannot fall short Of 1 200 killed wounded and
missing. OF the latter; J nsdersssnd, through o
prisoners ! shall retain enough Of the enemy to cx-
change for them they were immedistely shipped OF
xbon, The close OF tho action the ammunition ia the
cartridge boxes gave ont which, with the loss OF many
Of the sd oces produced great confusion in the ranks
Seeing that the enemy did not take advantage OF this
fact ordered charge upon the lest--enemy's right
with the division under Cen Z. r. smith, which was
s1e'Ts . s
G possession OF part Of their ntrenchnens An attack
was ordered tn tbsr other flank after the charge by
CEN smtb was cofnypsucsd by the divisions under Cen
erals M,tlernsnd and Wallace which, nctw outstanding
o hours OF exposure to heavy IRE In the fore parnx
The day Was calamity made suu the enemy further re-
pnlssd AZ the points thrsgajned, nigh vngome
all the troops encsmped for the night feeling that com
plee victory would crown their ladorsu at an early hour
| In The mSfnipg This morning, st very early hour,
Gen. g. B Bucknsr sept message to our camp under
asg Of truce proposing armis,cs, Ss copy Of the
oorrsepondence which ensued herewith accompanied.
connot mention individuals who specially distinguish
cd themselves but leave that TO division and brigade
otcsrs whose reports win be forwarded a. soon as
| ceived 70 division commspders, however, Generals
ucClarnsnd smith and Wallace, must do the justice TO
saw that each Of them were with their commands in the
midst Of danger a always ready to execute all
orders no matter what the exposure TO themselves.
Al the hour the attack made on General heCer-
nspd's oonlusnd was absent having received noio
from Flag Ocer Fooe, requesting ne TO 90 and see him,
| he being unable TO call
Colonel T. Riggin, Jr, Volunteer Aid Captain s. A. Raw
ling Acting Adntant General Captains q. Iagow and
Il Ulyer Aids aud Lied ensnt Colonel " b. McPher.
SON ChIsf Engnesr-all deserving OF personal men.
| ton for their galantry and services
For full details and reports and particulars reference
"a ass N The rsports OF the engineer medical director
ana commanders OF brigsdes and divisions, 10 follsw.
Lam General, very respectfully, your obedisnt ser.
want, us GRANT, bfissuisi "s1e'Ah