Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-02-27
BATTLE OF FORT DONELSOy.

BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON.
Further Accounts.
Gen. Grants Report--List of the Reb-
81 Reginents--The Horrors of the
Battle Field.
Gen. Grants Omciaf Report.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN TUE FIELD,
FoRT D%oNyIsoN, Feb. 16, 1862.
Gen. G.. W.. CnNom, Chief of Stuff De
pIrtment of Missouri:
GENERAL--I am pleased to nnounco to
you the unconditional surrender, this morn
ing, of Fort. Douelson, with twelve to fifteen
thousand prisoners, at least forty pieces of
artillery, and = large amount of stores,
horses, mules, and other public property.
l left Fort Henry on the 18th inst, with
a force of about 1900 men, divided into
two divisions under tho command of Gener-
ais McClernand and Smith. Six regiments
were sent around by water, the day before,
conveyed by a gunboat, or rather started one
day later than ono of the ~gunboats, with in
structions not to pass it.
The troops made the march in good order,
the head Of the column arriving within two
miles of the Fort at IL o'clock NJ. At this
point the enemy's pickets were met and
driven in.
The Notifications Of the enemy we're from
this point gradually approached and sur
rounded, with occasional skirmishing on the
line. The following day, owing to the ION
arrival of the gunboats and re-enforeoments
sent by water. no attack, was made; but
the investment was extended on the TANKS
of the enemy, and drawn closer 10 his works,
With skirmishing all day. The evening of
the 18th, the gunboats and re-inforcemcnts
arrived. On the l4th a gallant attack was
made by Flag. Officer Foote upon the enemy
works with his feet. The engagement last
ed probably one hour and a half, and bid
fair to result favorably to the cause of the
Union, when two unlucky shots disabled two
of the armored gunboats, so that they were
carried back by the current. The remaining
two were very much disabled also, having
received a number of heavy shots about the
p%ilot-house and other parts of the vessels.
After these mishaps, l concluded to make
the investment OF Fort Donelson as perfect
as possible, and partially fortify and await
repairs to the gunboats. This plan was
frustrated, however, by the enemy making
a most vigorous attack upon our right wing,
commanded by Gen. j. A. McClernand,
with a portion of the force under Gen. L..
Wallace. The enemy were repealed after a
closely contested battle of several hours, in
which ourioss was heavy. The officers, and
particularly field officers, suffered out of
proportion. / have not the means yet of
determining of loss even approximately, but
il cannot fall short of ] 200 killed, wounded
and missing. OF the latter | understand
through Gen. Buckner about $50 were taken
prisoners. l shall retain enough of the
enemy to exchange for them, as they were
Immediately shipped off and not lett for re.
capture.
About the close of this action the ammu
milton in the cartridge boxes gave out, which,
with the loss of many Of the field officers
produced great confusion in the ranks
Seeing that the enemy did not take advan
tage of this fact, ! ordered a charge upor
! the left-enemy's right-with the division
| under Gen. c. +. Smith, which was mos
brilliantly executed, and gave to our arm.
| full assurance of victory. The battle LASTED
until dark, giving US possession of part Of
| their intrenchments. An attack was order
| ed upon their otherfank, after the charg,
by Gen. Smith was commenced, by the di
Visions UNDER eAs. McCleruand and w allace
| which, notwithstanding the hours of OK DO
sure to a heavy fire in the fore part ofthe day
was calamity made and the enemy further
repulsed. At the points thus gained, night
having come on, all the troops encamped fol
the night, feeling that a complete victor,
would crown the labors at an early hour il
the morning. This morning, at a very early
hour, Gen. S. b. Buckner sent a message tc
our camp under a flag of truce, proposing ar
armistice, &c. A copy of the correspondence
which ensued is herewith accompanied.
I cannot mention individuals who spe,
cialy distinguished themselves, but leave
that to division and brigade officers, whose
reports will be forwarded as soon US received.
TO division commanders, however, Generals
McClernand, Smith and Wallace, | must dc
the justice to say that each of them were
with their commands in the midst of danger,
and were always ready to execute all orders,
no matter what the exposure to themselves.
AT the hour the attack was made on Gen.
eral Netherlands command, | was absent,
having received a note from Flag Officer
Foote, requesting me to 60 and see him, he
being unable to call.
Ny personal staf-Col. j. D. Webster,
Chief Of Staff; Col. j. Rigein, Jr., volun.
teer Aid; Can't. j. A. Rawlins, A. A. Gen.
eral; Capts. G. B. Logow and W. S. Hillyer,
Aids, and Lieut., Col. V. B. Mcpherson,
Chief Engineer--al are deserving ofperson.
al mention for their gallantry and services.
For full detailsand reports and particulars,
reference is made to the reports of the En-.
gineer, Medical Director and commanders of
Brigades and Divisions, to follow.
l am, General. very respectfully,
Your cbedient servant,
u, s. GRANT, Brig. Gen.