The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-02-20
Ft.DOneEsOrA Victory
Latest and Most Complete Particulars
Special TO The Chicago Tribune.
BArrLE-FrELD NEAR FoRT DoSELsos,
Eabr {

February 16, 1852.
most bloody battle was fought yesterday
on the right wing of our force, in the rear OF the
enemy's works, in which the first and second
briosdes of Gen. McClernand's Division were
engaged. The fight commenced at dayiighhDy
the enemy firing some grape into the 'lSt anu
29th Illinois regiments, which we're ehcaDPeu
near the extreme right. .5
The LIST brigade Col r. j. Og!esDy cont'lanu-
ing, was Immediately drawn up IN llu9 utter 'no
following orders the 18TH Illinois, Coi. LAWYER
on fine e1tremo rioht 9Th Illinois, Lieut.. Col.
Rhodes Commanding, next; Both Illinois, Lieut.
Col Dennis commanding, followed by the 29th,
Col Reardon which supported the right oil
Stewsrt's battery light artillery, with the 3lst,
Col. James A. Logan, on the extreme left, and
supporting the left ofStewarts battery; all Hi
d nos regiments.
The second brigade, Col. w. H. L. Wallace
commanding, consisted of the l1th Lieut.. Col.
Ransom commanding; goth Col. e. Carroll
Marsh 45th, Col. Smith, and 48th, Col Hainy,
all Illinois regiments, with McAllister's and
TaylOr's batteries, and four siege guns.
The attacking force of the enemy was about
$4,000.
The position of the ground was such that not
more than one OF our regiments could operate at
the same time, while the rebels could bring near
ly their whole force To bear against US.
The first regiment to receive the rebels was
the 18th, which fought with desperate cour-
age until their ammunition became exhausted,
when they were forced to retire, with loss OF
officers and men, and were replaced by the 9Th
regiment, which fought with like bravery, but
they too were driven back after disbursing their
ammunition, and in turn was replaced by the
18th, which also fell back in turn. Meanwhile
the other regiments were lending such feeble
aid as their positions would admit.
Gen. Wallace was then ordered to reinforce
McClernand, aud he sent two brgades of his
division from the center.
The 3Ist regiment, Col. Logan, fought like
veterans who had never had any other occupa-
ton, and struggled defending Swartz's battery
under the most calling fire Of the enemy until
every horse at the battery was killed. with the
officers who had charge of the guns, as well as
Lieut. Col White, Capt Rigby (acting MAORI
and seven Captains and a number OF Lleuten-
ants of the 3lst had been killed, with Col. Lo-
gan wounded; and being nearly surI ounded oy
the rebels, Capt Edwin S. McCook, who was
left in command drew the regiment Tor what
remained OF III off the field, but not until their
last round was expended and they had COM
menced to drive the rebels before them.
The I'd brigade now came up and took ;he
place of the retired one, and fought desperately,
losing great number in killed and wounded,
when with the assistance OF a portion OF wal
lace division 1.-THE 49th and 59th Oho) with
Taylor's battery, which was stationed on a hill
near BY as the rebels came up they opened ire
upou them and drove portion of them back in
to their entertainments, while large portion
still &C cupied the ground they had gained.
The object Of the rebels was evidently to cut
their way through our troops.
In the afternoon Gen. Grant saw that some
thing should be done to restore the spirits of our
disheattened troops, and ordered Gen. Smith TO
make an assault on the west wing OF the enc
my's works. Cen Smith as quick as horse flesh
could bear him, rode along his lines and ordered
his men to prepare for charge which caused
shouts of JOY o ring along its lines. Without
a moments unnecessary delay Col. Lauman 8
brigade, the I'd and 9TH Iowa. and the 1lth aud
18th Indiana, charged up to the enemy's re-
doubt driving the rebels before them at the point
of the bayonet like frightened sheep, and gaining
possession of their outer works.
Gen. Smith behaved like one inspired for
nothing less than continual victories. He could
be seen riding along the lines with his hat swing
ing on the top of his ord, amid the thickest of
the fight, encouraging his men and cheering
them on to victory, regardless OF the deadly mis-
siles flying around him.
The Colonel of the I'd Iowa was The first to
mount the enemy's works with his men Close
in his wake. The storming was complete. Our
troops gained position inside OF their works,
where they lay on their aims all night prepared
to follow up their success in the morning.
The 9TH Illinois, Col. Cook, followed up as a
reserve, and part Of his regiment got into the
action while the balance acted skirmishers
with the sharpshooters
After Gen. Smith had gained his position in
side the enemys entertainments, Gen. Grant
sent word of his success to the right wing, and
ordered General McCleInand and Wallace to re-
turn their attack, when the first and second
brigades, which had been in the bloody affair in
the morning, with McCenand's division and
two brigades OF Walace's division made a fresh
assault upon the enemy, regaining the ground
they had lost and pushing forward close to the
left of their iOrtifcation, and then lay on their
arms, prepared to act III concert with General
Smiths column, this Sunday morning, when
Il most desperate attempt will be made to carry
the whole Of the rebels batteries and tortihca-
tions We will either be in possession OF the
foot this noon or suffer the most bloody defeat
that ever befel an army.
tits now six o'clock, yet have heard no tir-
ing of account this morning. There appears 10
be a ull that is not understood.
The following are among the killed and
wounded:
KILLED-Lieut. Col. Smith, 48th Illinois :
Lieut. Col. Cowan, 2Oth Illinois Lieut.. Col.
White, 3lst Illinois.
WoUNDED.-Col. John a. Logan, 3lst Hi
nois, slightly Col c. Carroll Marsh, Doth Ill ,
slightly; Col. w. Il Morrison, 49th Illinois,
slightly; Lieut., Col. Ransom, II Illinois, slight
ly.
SECOND DISPATCH.
FoRT DoNELsoN, February 16, 1862.
Fort Donelson is ours. The garrison consist
II