, 1862-02-28
IMPREsslMa hEGR0ES--TnE SUI
ERtNG$ OF LOYAL MEN.
OCCUPATION of ClarksyiIIe and
Nashville.
From Cur OWL correspondent ]


removed might be brought home, but those
that cannot must remain where they are.
No amount Of means can alleviate their case,
so far as removal is concerned 4 person to
look after the wounded andsee to having those
removed who can be, might be appointed
But he must act, so far as removal is con-
ccrned, under United States authority.
col. ). D. WEBsTER's REPORT.
The Official report Of Col j. D. Webster,
Chief of Col Grants staff, dated at Fort Donel-
son, Feb. ed, has been received. Some por-
ttons Of it We arc obliged necessarily to omit,
as they refer to q diagram accompanying the
report, which it is impossible to obtain in
time for this paper. Apart from this the report
is a copy as appended:
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL WEBSTER TO
GENERAL GRANT.
The preparations made BY the enemy for the
defense Of this position were very extensive.
A complete end accurate surrey of the works |
and vicinity would require more means and |
time than can NOW he commanded.
The water batteries, upper and loWcr,) |
which were intended to eubserve the primary |
object Of the position, the control OF the river
navigation, were well located for the purpose. |
At the lower and principal one were mount |
ed nine picces-cight 32pounders and 4 ten |
inch columbiad. At the upper, one gun OF |
the extensive form and dimensions Of ten |
inch columbiad, but bored as 32-po1nder |
and 1ifed, and two S2pound caIronades. Both |
these batteries are Eunken or eXcayatcd in the /
hillside. In the lower, strong traTerses are
left between the guns to secure them against
water, sag thirty feet at the time Of the gun
boat attack, gave them fine command OF the
river, and made the task Of attacking them IN
font az arduous one, The range Of the guns
in arc was, however, quite limited.
The main fort was in the rear Of these bat
teries, occupying high range c1oycn by a
deep gorge opening towards the south. The
outworEs consisted in the main Of what have
come to be called rifle pits-shallow ditches,
the earth from which is thrown to the point,
affording them shelter from the tre OF the
attack.
Along the front Of this extensive line, the
trees had been fellej, and the brush cut aud
| bent over breast high, making !: wide G5Gtis
| very difficult to pass through. The line run
! along ridge cut through by several raSlnes
| running towards the river. Tie bill side rise
| By abrupt ascents to Height OF perhaps scY-
| enty-fiye CT eighty feet.
| Cur army approached the place with very lit
| lie knowledge Of its topography. Our first
| line Of battle was formed on the 18th inst, in
sor1e open fields opposite the enemy's centre:
heights in general paEa1lelism with the cue-
1ny'6 outworks, and extending distance Of
over three miles.
Various elevations and spurs of the hills af-
| fnrded position for our artillery, from which
nc aInoyed the enemy, but which were not
Of such Commanding character as to enable us
to achieve decided results. The ranges were
long and tie thick woods prevented clear sight.
During tie next two days our lines were
gradually extended to the right and left, our
ekirnishers thrown out III front, keeping mp
au active, and as We since learn, IN effective
ire upon The enemy's outworks- On the 18th,
q gallant charge was made against the enemy,
and was probably only prevented from being
successful by the fall Of the Colonel leading
it, who was seriously wounded.
4 Up 10 the 18th our operations had been
chiefly those of investment but we had mol
gained q position from which our artillery
| could be adyantageous1y used against the main
; fo1t On the 18th, the enemy, seeming to grosi
, uncomfortable under the constructing process
came out Of his entertainments and attacked
i ucr right with great force and determination
achieving considerable success in the forenoon
This active movement neceseitated active Ta
taliatiop. On the left wing an attack was or
dcrcd on the tutwurks, and the right WAS Tc
enforced aud ordered to rcta]1c the ground los
| in the morning.
+ How well both orders were executed meet
: rot be stated. On the right our former po
/ eItion pas regsincd and passed, and On the lcf
r successful assault gave us possession OF
position ,cittin TIC enenvs lines and opened tf1
- way to still better one which nighttall alon
d prevented US from occupying with our rltte
= artillery, which would rea1ily have commando
tie enemY's main works.
4 THIS rcpulEe from the ground SO hardly wo
g in the forenoon and probably still more, ou
n possession Of vantage gained within thc
e lines, iEduccd the enemy TO capitu1atc on tt
j morning Of The 10Th. -
:. lsigned] D. u. WEBSTER,
;, Chief Of Staff.
nj INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.
y All agree that tnc sbaSpshooters render5
G. ycry efficient aid They each one fight {
y their oxn hook, crawling around until TIL
zee scccsh, and their unerring rifle nev
i, fails It was impossible for the rebels to bril-
.e their artillery to bear upon our men, for Il
q slarpslooters would pick off every man I'll
-. -. attempted oload gun.
e. It is eaid that F1oyd sworc that If lie took
III ela:pkhocter, be should be immediately sht
rs rs One OF the boys of lie 18th Illinois stood
r. hind tree, and fred forty rounds, each til
at 1&kirg bite f bard-brcad and 3 sip Of cosi
1t. between Ering. Ono msn in tho I'd iowa Il
~ ~ two bulls through one leg, sPlinteEing t
de bone in each place, yet begged Of a comra
&C. 10 place lin against tree, saying he Was so
ue fer jesty 7ca::;Gs 5ac7r, and did sit and Ere
ns fr whole ams,suni,ion at The rebels.
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