Litchfield enquirer., 1862-03-06
GEN. GRANTS oFr1o11L REPORT.


 HEADouARrEns ARMY IN THE FIELD,
 FoRT DoNEIsoN, Sunday, Feb. 16, 1862. ! Gen. c. ". Csasom. Gsief ef S0W, Depa's"en'
 Of Missouri: N
 GENERAL :-I am pleased to announce to you the unconditional surrender, this morning, ol Fort Donelson, with 12 ,OOO to 15,0OO prisoners at least forty pieces of artillery, and large amount of stores, houses, mules, and other pup lie property. ..
 I left Fort Henry on the 1zth inst. with force of about 15,O00 men, divided intotwo dlvi- sons, under the command Of Generals McCier. naud and Smith, Six regiments were, sent around by water the day before, conveyed by a guuboat, or rather started one day later than one -of the eunboats, and with instructions 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 I2 o'clock M. At this point the ene- mys pickets were met and driven in.
 The notifications of the enemy were from this poiut gradually approached and surrounded, with occasional skirmishing on the line. The fol lowing day, owing to the non-arrival of the gun boat and achievements sent by water, no attack was made, but the investment was extended on the Hanks of the enemy, and drawn closer to his works, with skirmishing all day. The evening of the 18th the gunboats and reinforcements ar rived. On the 14th gallant attack was made by Flag-ofHcer Foote upon the enemys works with his fleet, 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 armored gunboats, so that they were carried back by the current. The remaining two were very much disabled also, having received number of heavy shots about the pilot-house and other parts of the vessels After these mishaps concluded to make the in. vesumeut of Fort Donelson as perfect as possi ble and partially fortify and await repairs to the gnuboats. This plan was frustrated, however by the enemy making most vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded by Gen. J. A McClernand, with portion of the force under Gen. l.. Wallace. The enemy were repelled af ter closely contested battle of several hours, in which our loss was heavy. The officers, and par ticulary field officers, suffered out of proportion. Ihave not the means of ofdetermining our loss even approximately, but it cannot fall far short of l.. 200 killed, wounded, and missing Of the latter understand through Gen. Buckner, about 250 were taken prisoners. shall retain enough of the enemy to exchange for them. as they were immediately shipped of and not left for recap ture.
 About the close of this action the ammunition in the cartridge boxes gave out, which, with the loss of many of the feld-oficers, produced grea confusion in the ranks. Seeing that the enemy did not take advantage of this fact, 1 ordered { charge upon the left-enemy's right-with tho division under Gen. c. F. Smith, which was most brilliantly executed and gave to our arms full assurance of victory. The battle lasted un til dark, giving us possession of part of their in trenchments. An attack was ordered upon their other flank. after the charge by Gen. Smith was commenced by the divisions under Generals Nc xuh;oh fu; hcfo pdino the hours of exposure to heavy fire in the fore part of the day, was gallantly made, and the ene- my further repulsed. At the points thus gained, night having come on, all the troops encamped for the night, feeling that complete victory would crown their labors at an early hour in the morning. This.morning, at very early hour, Gen. s. B. Buckner sent message to our camp under flag of truce, proposing an armistice, &c. A copy of the correspondence which ensued is herewith accompanied.
 I cannot mention individuals who specially distinguished themselves, but leave that to divi- sion and brigade officers, whose reports will be forwarded as soon as received. To division com manders, however Generals McClernand, Smith and Wallace, must do the justice to say that each ofthem were with their commands in the midst of danger, and were always ready to exc cute all orders, no matter what the exposure to themselves. s At the hour the attack was made on Gen. Mo Clernand's division, I was absent, having receiv' ed note from Flag-oficer Foote requesting me to go and see him, he being unable to call.
 My personal staff, Col. J. D. Webster, chief oi staff; Col. J. Riggin Jr., volunteer aid Capt. J A. Rawlins, assistant adjutant-general i; Captains c. B. Lagow and w. s Hlyer, aids, and Lieut.. Col. V. B. Pherson, chief engineer, all are de serving of personal mention for their gallantry and services. ss .-..
 For full details and reports and particulars re- ference is made to the reports of the engineer medical director, and commanders of brigades and divisions to follow.
 I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient SCI want, U. s. GRANT,
 sBrigader- General.