Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-03-12
The Grand Charge at the Taking of
Fl Donelson

/ One who was witness to Gen. Smith'l
gallant charge at the Fort Donelson bat
I tie, furnishes the following graphic de
scription.
i General Grant left his headquarters on
the field to visit Commodore Foote 1.-THE
second time) at half past four o'clock,
Saturday morning, leaving orders with
Captain Rawlings and Hillyer to ride i'm.
mediately to Smiths, Wallace's and Nc.
Clernands brigades and instruct them not
to make any advance upon the rebel works
until he should return from the fleet-to
make no movement of any kind unless
attacked. Rawlings carried the order to
General Smith, who commanded on the
extreme left, and Hillyer started to con-
vey it to Wallace; in the centre, and Nc
Clernand on the right. He delivered it
to Wallace; but when hereached McCler-
nand he found that brigade had been at
tackled by a superior force, and partially
compelled to fall back. Hillyer saw what
was eoing on, and Immediately ordered
Wallace 70 send a part Of his brigade to
reinforce McClernand, which order was
complied with. Four regiments marched
at double quick to the rescue McCler-
nand, with almost superhuman exertion,
rallied his forces, which charged bayonets
and regained their old position on the
right, after seven hours of the most Sc
we're fighting of the day. While this fight
was raging, Captain Hillyer started off to
find Gen. Grant, who had not been on the
field since half past four o'clock in the
morning-it was now near moon Hill
yer met the General coming back from
the transports, and communicated to him
the fact that McClernand had been attack
ed and compelled to fall back, but had
rallied and regained his position. Gener-
al Grant Immediately rode upon the field
it being then half past one O'clock
and there learned the status of the army.
A body of from ten to twelve thousand of
the enemy had cut through our right
flank and escaped. This was the attack
upon McClernand. A CALLING fire was be-
ing kept up upon our left and centre from !
heavy siege and field artillery, and our
forces were being fast decimated. To re-
main in this position would surely prove |
our ruin; to fall back out of range of the |
enemy's guns would demoralize the army, |
and no alternative was left but to hazard |
everything upon united charge upon the |
whole enemy's works. Though officers
and men were impatient to make |
the assault, still, the General hesitated, |
and it was not until half past two that the |
order to assault the works was given
Then Captain Hillyer rode down to Gen
eral Smith to communicate the order, /
when the old Generals visage cleaned |
with new light. Said Captain Hillyer:
Gen. Smith, Gen. Grant orders YOU to
assault and take the enemy's works in
your front, at all hazards"
Better late than never" said Smith:
i'but I'll do it! Tell General Grant Pli
dc it," And, turning to his men, he said:
Soldiers, we are ordered to take those
works by assault. Are you ready"
"Aye, aye, sir, readyl Hurrah 20 And
4 shout came from that phalanx of brave
men such as comes only from patriots up
On great occasions.
Ready Close ranks! Charge bayonetsl
Double quick March p' And
march they did in close order, the advan-
,irg brigade looking more like a blue por-
,u2ine, with its quills turned forward,
han aught else can compare it to, right
up to the rebel works. Though the enc
ny kept up an incessant fire from howit-
.er, field piece and musket, of shells, sol
d shot and lead, still that brigade march
ID on, nothing daunted, to the enemy's
which reached, over it went,
light into the midst of the butternut col
,red devils who had SO sayagely welcomed
hem inside the Entertainments. When
ne blue coats appeared inside the breast
works, the old veteran, Charles F. Smith.
It their head, brandishing his sword, and !
ooking for all the world ike dozen reg
ments of regulars boiled down and quin-
into one man, the rebels took ,
o their heels and left for the next line of
as though the devil or
ONE other justice of the peace was after .
hem with q warrant for treason. Our :
,oys fired one volley after them as they ! .
then planted the Stars and l..
tripes upon the walls, gave three times !
hree cheers when it swelled to the breeze,
nd settled down for further orders. This :
-ss the turning pointof the fight. When :
was discovered that the national ensign
ad been planted within the enemy's in Z
renchments, Captains Hillyer and Raw :
ngs rode along the lines, and, waving !.
heir swords, announced it to the despon- \
ent troops of McClernand's and Wal
lce's divisions, who gained new courage -
nd rallied to the assault upon the right. =
hen charge was made all along the en- !,
my's front. He was forced back to his :
arthworks, leaving the open field to our I
oops, and securing to us an easy victory .
D the morrow.
FAITH IN MAN.-The greater part of /
n