The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-26
Letter from Lieut.. Col. Parrot,.
Fort DoNELsoN, Tenn

Letter from Lieut.. Col. Parrot.
Fort DoNELsoN, Tenn
Feb. Is, 1863.
My DEAR WIFE: | am happy to inform
you that james and myself escaped with
outa scratch. COL Lauman, Maj. Rice,
and in fact all our commanding officers
with few exceptions, are all safe. AL
though We had strong force and an al
most impregnable fort to contend with vet
they had to yield, and We all look upon it
as one OF the most signal victories that
has yet been gained, in which our gallant
little 7th and The Iowa ed bore con-
spicuous part. We fought almost side by
side, and when our official report shall be
published it viii show to the world tina.
Iowa stands figh on the scroll Of military
fame.
Iwill now allude to the plan of attack.
On Wednesday night last we arrived in
front of the Fort. On the top of an
eminence was planted a battery of the LIST
Missouri of two pieces OF PARROT riHed
20 Founders, which battery / was ordered
to support with the gallant It'll The bows
moved up the hill with steady and firm
step, knowing that it was a post of great
honor. We were compelled to lay on our
arms all night without fire and not even a
blanket, but taking 1t all through we
spent the night very comfortably. The
night passed quietly, and in the morning
was ordered TO join my brigade, which
constituted part Of the left wing. Col.
Lauman comma nded the fourth brigade Of
the second dsvision, leaving me in CON-
mand OF our regiment. We joined our
brigade and the command was given to
storm the enemy's breast works at charge.
and away we went, and nothing but fallen
timber, deep ravines and other impedi-
ments prevented US from mounting their
entertainments. We gained secure DO.
sitlon within IS to 100 yards of their
works. and kept up our iring until dark
doing considerable execution. AT nigh,
We Withdrew our forces and bivouacked
on the ground We occupied the night pre-.
vious.
was suffering severely from sichshead.
ache. aud knowing that they would no,
attack US out Of their entertainments, ]
retired to the rear for the night, where
Col. Lauman and myself had tent, and
spent the night as comfortably as the cir
cumstances OF the case would admit. for
1t was one of the most inclement nights |
almost ever witnessed. 1t commenced
raining about p. m. and poured down
Tor about two hours; then it commenced
sleeting, and, to wind up, it showed about
three inches, and in the morning We had a
pretty good Iowa winter.
On Friday morning the I'd Iowa arrived
and | had the pleasure Of meeting NV
son and many warm friends, who were de.
lighted to think they had prospect for q
hight. On Friday We kept up our Skin.
mlshing and at night laid upon the
ground again. Col. Lauman and myselI
Dunked together by the side Of log with
no covering but one blanket aud the cano.
Ply OF heaven. About p. m. it again
commenced showing and fell about two
inches. We passed the night with YER,
little comfort, but as good soldiers We die
our duty and scarcely heard murmu
from our men
On Saturday morning the fght opened
IN earnest on the right wing, and we wer,
for some hours held in suspense on GU,
wing, but shortly after noon We found TIM
the time had come for us TO make the de
cisive blow, and at it we went, Col. Lau
man giving the post of honor and danger
70 the more than gallant Iowa2d, The,
made most magnificent charge and tn,
no less gallant eth followed close to thei
heels, and drove the enemy like chat be.
fore the whirlwind to their second breas
work, where they again made stand ant
gave Us all some warm work. Night ap
preaching W fell back to the rear of thei
fnt sutzsnchmsnt and bivouacksd for ii,