Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-02-26
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THE SIEGE OF roar DoNnLsoN. .

psoAnshhs ARMY IN THE FIELD,
FoRr DosELsoN, Feb. I6, 1862
Gen. "s q. e Vac Y. &calism, Caief Of stat, Department
cEEERAL:--l am pleased to announce 10 you
the unconditional surrender this morninu of
Fort Donclson, With twelve to fifteen thousapd
prisoners, at least forty pieces Of artillery, and
large amount OF stores, horses, mules and
osaer public property. / left Fort Henry on the
aSn instant, with force Of fftesn thousand
mands of Generals McClernand and Smith
Six regiments were sent around bv water ,ha
oay before, conveyed by gunboat. or rather
started one day later than one Of the eunboala.
ana with Instructions not to pass Il.
Inc troops made the march In good order
tne head OF the column arriving within two
miles OF the Fort at ~ O'Clock M. Atthis point
tne enemy's pickets were met and driven In,
Inc fortihcations Of the enemy were from
'nls point gradually approached and urrounded
with occasional skirmishing on the line The
IolioWing day, owing to the non arrival Of the
gunboats and reinfofeements sent by water. no
attack was made, but the Investment was ex
tended on the fanks of the enemy and drawn
closer to bis works, with sklrmishinR all day.
Inc evening OF the 18th the gunboats and rein
iorcements arrived. On the 18th q gallant st.
tack was made by Flag Officer Foote upon the
enemys works with his feet. The engagement
lasted probably one hour and half, and bid fair
TO result favorably to the cause Of the Union
when two unlucky shots disabled two of the
armed boats so that they we're carried back BY
tne current. The remaining two we're very
mucn disabled also, having received number
OF heavy shots about the pllot-houses and other
parts Of the vessels. 7 - -
After these mishaps concluded to make the
Investment Of Fort Donelson as perfect as pos.
sloic, and partially fortify and await repairs to
the gunboats. This plan was frustrated, how
ever by the enemy making most vigorous at.
LACK upon our right wing, commanded by Gen.
y A. McOlernand, with portion OF the force
under Gen L. Wallace. The enemy were re.
pelled after closely contested battle of sever.
al hours, in which our loss was heavy. The
ofhcers, and particularly field officers, suffered
out OF proportion. have not the means of vet
determining our loss even approximately, but IL
cannot fall short of twelve hundred killed.
wounded and missing.
VI the latter, understand through General
buckner, about two hundred and fiity were tax.
en- prisoners. shall retain enough Of the en-.
emy to exchange lor them, as they were imme-
diaiely shipped of and not left for recapture.-
About the close Of this action the ammunition
IN cartridge boxes gave out, which, with the
loss OF many OF the field officers, produced great
CONFUSION IN the ranks. Seeing that the enc
my did not take advantage of it, convinced me
that equal confusion, and possibly great demor.
alization, existed with him. Taking advantage
OF this fact, ordered charge upon the left.
enemy's right, with the division under General
Y. +: smith, which was most brilliantly exc.
cuted, and gave to our arms full assurance of
victory. The battle lasted until dark, giving
US possession OF part Of their enirenchmeDts.-
AN attack was ordered from The other flank,
alter the charge Of Gen. Smith was. commenc.
90, by the divisions under Generals McClernand
and wallace, which, Notwithstanding the hours
OF exposure to heavy fre In the fore part of
tne day, was gallantly made, and the enemy
further repulsed. At the points thus gained,
night having come on, all the troops encamped
ior the night, feeling that complete victory
would crown their labors at an early hour in
the morning. tat ~
This morning at very early hour note was
received from Gen s. B. Buckner, under a flag
OF truce, proposing an armistiee, etc. A COPY
OF the correspondence which ensued Ia herewith
accompanying.
cannot mention individuals who especially
distinguished themselves, but leave that to d.
vision ana brigade commanders, whose reports
WILL DC forwarded as soon as received.
40 division commanders, however, Generals
McClernand, Smith and Wallace, I must do tbe
justice TO cay that each Of them were with their
commands in the midSt Of danger, and were al.
ways ready to execute all orders, 40 matter what
the exposure TO themselves.
AT the hour the attack was made on General
McClernand's command was absent, having
received note from Flag. Officer Foote, re-
questiDg me to 20 and gee him. he being unahle