The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21

their arms night and day, half OF the time
without provisions and all the time without
tents, and portion of the time in heavy
rain and snow.
BUCKNERS' LETTER TO GEN. GRANT.
HEAD QUARTERS, Dover, Tenn. Feb. l6,
l862.-To Brigadier General Grant U.
s. A. SIR The disposition of forces
under my command incident to an unexpec-
ted change of commanders and the OVER
whelming force under your command,
cOmpels me, Notwithstanding the brilliant
success of the Confederate arms yesterday,
to accept the ungenerous, unchivalous
terms which you propose.
am Sir, your Obedient Servant.
(Signed) s. B. BUCKNER,
Brig. Gen. G. S. A.
PARTICULARS OF THE SURRENDER.
Our whole force was soon in the en- emy's
works and the rebel officers gave up their
swords.
The bulk of the rebels were much cha
grinned though they had known of the
surrender long before our men were ap-
priced of it, as Pillow and Floyd had
planned and executed their escape during
the night, taking with them Floyd.s Brig.
ade and few favorites, occupying what
few steamers they had.
At first many of the prisoners were
loud in their denunciations Of the runa
ways and many acknowledged the hopeless.
ness of their cause and intimated willing.
ness to take oath of allegiance,
THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS TAKEN.
To question to an officer, as to how
many prisoners we have, he replied, you
have all out of $4,000 who were not killed
or did not escape.
THE NUMBER KILLED AND WOUNDED.
1t is impossible to get list of the killed
and wounded, as the killed have not all been
brought in, and they are mixed up with the
rebels killed.
A private message this evening to the
Sanitary Commissioners from Cairo, says
there are 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 100
missing.
THE WOUNDED ON BOTH SIDES TO GO
TO ST. LOUIS.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. l7.-All the wounded,
on both sides, will be brought to this city,
and placed in hospitals.
A dozen or more surgeons, with a corps
of nurses, left this afternoon for the battle
field.
National salutes were fired at Benton
Barracks, the Arsenal, Jefferson Barracks,
and all the forts surrounding the city, to-
day, in honor of our victory.
STRENGH OF THE REBEL POSITION
PARTICULARS OF THE BATTLE.
CHICAGO, Feb. 1.-THE Times Fort
Donelson special,says the forces were about
equal IN numbers, but the rebels had all the
advantages of position, being we'll fortified
on two immense bills, with their fort near
the river on lower piece Of ground.
From their entertainments, rifle pits and
abattis extended up the river behind the
town of Dover.
Their Notifications on the land side, back
from the river were at least four miles in
length.
The water battery, in the centre of their
forti6cations,w where it commanded the river
mounted nine heavy guns.
The rebels were sure of success, and in
any other cause and against less brave
troops, they could have held their position
against hundred thousand
The business of getting different brigades
in position and attaching new arrivals to
different commands, took up the greater
part of Friday night.
THE ACTION ON SATURDAY.
At daylight on Saturday the enemy
opened on the 18th Illinois, when all of
Oglesby's brigade was soon engaged, which
was followed by Wallace's and McArthur's
brigades, the latter acting nnder Nc
Clernand.
AS the position of the troops had been
changed during the night, and General
Grant had been called away to the gun
boats, the movements OF all the troops,
except those under McClernand, and with
out any other than general orders.
At a suggestion from McClernand, Gen,
Wallace sent up four regiments to support
bis division, who were nearly out of ammu.
ton,
From the commencement until ten O'Clock
the fight was terrific.
The troops on the right were disposed as
follows McArthur's brigade, with the
10Th, 4lst, 18th and 10Th Illinois.
Next, Oglesoy's brigade, the 9th, 18th,
29th, Both and 3lst Illinois, and Schwartz
& Dresser's batteries
Next. Wallace's brigade, with 18th,
Goth, 45th, and 49th
Those three brigades composed McCler-
nand's division, and bore the brunt of the
battle. 1t Was found that the enemy was
concentrating his main force to turn our
right, which was done, by our men getting
out OF ammunition, and confusion in get
ting up reintOrcemeHts, and retreating
about half mile.
AS soon as the division, which had stood
its ground mantully for three hours, retired,
the enemy occupied the field, when General
Grant ordered Gen. Smith to move forward
his division and storm the enemy's works on
our left.
This order was obeyed with alacrity and
cheers from our daring soldiery, and soon
the old flag was displayed from within the
enemy's intrenchments.
Gen Grant then sent word to McCler-
nand and Wallace that General Smith was
within the enemy's intrenchmeuts, and or
derlng their forces to move forward and re-
new the attack on the right.
Gen. Wallace's brigade, the 18th and
18th Indiana, with some Ohio regiments.