, 1862-02-25

INCIDENTS AT FORT DOEELSON.
IEztracts from Delayed Correspondence
Capt. Nelson Of Company B, 18th Illinois,
had O remarkable escape from instant death
during the attack on Fort Donelson. BE was |
charging q confederate battery At the head Of |
his company, and seeing muster roll Of one |
OF the rebel companies upon the ground, |
hastily picked 1t up, and rolling it into d wad,
placed it in his vest pocket. He had no
sooner done this than q nlusket ball struck
him in. that part Of the person and was only
prevented from penetrating Ills heart and kill
ing him instantly by tie muster roll aforesaid:
Tie gallant Captain preserves that rebel record
Us nost valuable trophy.
Capt. r. R. Hopkins, or Co. q, 18th Illinois,
formerly Of Dnquoln, IN this State, It Is sald
showed the white feather, and aosented him
sell during the entire light. He left his COM
| ,r1and ut tho beginning Of the engagement,
and took up his quarters at private house in
| The vicinity, trembling with fear and quahing
| with apprehension like a coward as he Is.
Orders were issued for his arrest, but he II1au-
! aged to escape, and vas seen pro~liug about
IN camp, he will be ignoninionsly drulnmed
out I doubt il his presence Will be tolerated
| in the patriotic village OF Duquoin.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. HATNIE.
| TIE PART ACTED At DoSELsoS II TIE 18TH,
18Th AND 17TH ILLINOIS REGIMENTS.
HEADQUARTERS 45rH ILLINOIS vo1s..}
| Fort DoNELsoN, Feb II, 1SGA {
| Brig. Gen. jo1ss L. NcCzenand, Commanding 1t
| Dieisioa, Iainois IozntAtes7s:
S1R:-On the morning Of the 18th Of Fc5ru-
ary, inst, became temporarily dctached from
about the time the brigade was ready to move
from their camp grounds Of the preceding
night, received orders to remain where
the regiment had encamped for the
Purpose Of supporting a a.,ot battery Thiel aiS.
Of the center Of the 48th Illinois volunteers,
under my command. In obedience to this
order, remained with the battery, whilstthe
remainder Of the brigade moved to the east
ward. During the time vas thus detached,
which I was directed to form my regiment
/ upon the left Of the 18th Illinois Volunteers,
II this List regiment being then formed on tue
left Of the 10th regiment, and both being to
. my right about 500 yards at once ordered
the 4sth regiment to be formed at the poinl
: indicated, and as soon as it was done,
} proceeded to the extreme right Of tic whole
line for the purpose Of conferring with Col
: Morrison, before then in command Of ths
18th and 49th regiments.
l there met Col. Morrison with Capt. Stew
art, your aid, and was for the first time thcr*
| informed tEat it was your orders for thcs
: recimentz 9TH, 4Sth and 49th) to storm re
r doubt Of the cnemy'e, to our front and no
far removed from Us. Col. Morrison at one
t expressed his willingness to yield command
: of the columns to me, land with some reluct
t ance, not having any orders from goa on thi
c peintl assumed command Of the same an,
! under the direction and guidance Of Capt
c Stewart, your aid, had them formed into lin
: The rcdoubt distant less than quarter c
c | mile from us. The order Of position OF sal
J. regiments was not changed by me, and thl
placed Col. Morrison and the 49th on the righl
the Eth under Maj. Smith, {Col: and 1t. Co
q being abscnt) III the centre, and the 18Th, I'm
]: III. SGn' It, e0'' o1nen' ~" oes?se' " - :
70 Immediately on tic formation Of the Inc {
o battle, I directed each regimenta1 commando
4 4 to dsp,oy sAirmlshers aloag tue front of tn
to throw thc1n forward from 50 to 100 yast
e in advance Of the main column. This beiu
As done the commaudGnt5 Of regiments wcl
&c further directed to communicate with me
nc or about the centre Of the brigade (centrat
q; | 18th regimert) in case Of necessity, and
Id control their movements upon the right ar
= left wings by the CENTRE. Whcreupon
It's once ordered the whole line forward toWal
e the enemy'5 rcdoubts situated upon the opp
n site hills
st. The entire line advanced in good order al
rs, with alacrity, until the rcdoubts Of the cnen
lis were approached to within short distanc
lc. when from the rifle pits and earthen brea:
az works which greatly protected them, the en-
uG ! INV opened . Df15k IAl St1luB 11c HpUu
Ler At the same time the enemy's batteries, sit
ated Eo MS to be concealed and not befo
r. known to bear upon us, were opened, and
well directed fire Of shell and canister pour
'e upon our ranks; notwithstanding which Q
c9 lines continued to advance until almost up
icd the redoubts Of the enemy. In the meantis
lrd information which I regarded as reliab
reached me that the enemy WIS in fol
ed behind bis works and well protect
-, by six guns planted imnedlat
Ids to their rear, and also by cannon situated
at their west and north. As quickly as posi-
lay | I proceeded to ascertain the truth, and
!. | ca1ne satisfied Of the fact The entire line
then been held. under a brisk, calling fire.
nearly IN hour. Col Morrison, commando
the 49th, had By this time been wounded nj
3;rs leading his men upon the redonbts, and :
Of carried from the field. Other posts Of the l
had suffered considerably, and learning t
the rcdoubt could not be taken without gr
+ destruction and loss Of life, / at length
4 luctantly gave the order to retire down
mi, hill short distance and await your oEdt
IVY This was done by the entire line In good orc
mi, and without confusion, and was greatly to
ats, qualification, and sanctioned by your
yet | when reported by NE to you. .
49, In this action am happy to be able to /
out- testimony to the good conduct OF the otait
5ue- and men under my command. All Of tt
:: under nv Own observation 1aborcd with
, Is. | utmost daring and galiantry, challenging
30 | admirotion 6y their heroisn, and meri
lae from their General the highest confidence.
ring lSignedl IsHAM n. HArNE,
on Col 18th regt. Ill Vol
and IT'D r11r r1rstprpTaNn tn c1.AP