The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-02-20

will attempt to take the fOlt ny storm
ing tomorrow.
The loss in killed and wounded is
considerable.
The enemy have hoisted the black
flag signalling "no quar,er,' which
can be distinctly seen from distance,
Federal rcinforcements are expect
ed to morrow.
Caro-, ILL.,, Feb: 16.
The steamer Minnehaha has arrived
here from from TT. Donelson, having
left the fort at FIVE o'clock last evening
bringing military mail and despatch
es, and 150 Of tho wounded to the hos
pita. at Paducah.
The fight at Fort Donclson,comm en-
ccd on Thursday, and on Friday and
and Saturday jthe.. contest vas dcspcr-
| ate.
The 18th Illinsis suffered severely,
and the 7th Iowa sustained considera-
bic loss.
SchwArtz's battery, which was taken
by the enemy, was recaptured by our
men.
Two Federal Colonies were wounded
and two killed. The loss was heavy
on both sides.
The upper fort was taken at o'clock
and the Union flag now floats over it
Our troops behaved with great gallant
~.
The gunboats St Louis, Louisville,
and Pittsgurgh were disabled.
The Minnehaha met the mortar boats
at Paducah going mp.
In CANT, NEAR FORT noNEIsoN,
/ Feb. 10.
Last night was very severe on our
troops, rain having set in, which turn.
ed to snow. 1t is freezing to-day and
old citizens say ther rarely have seen
such cold weather in thi, latitude.
The more see Of the Fo-t the more
convinced am | it cannot BE- reduced
without \ terrible battle. lis rear seem,
almost imprc.nnhle. The outer works
and bast,ons Of the For, are located or
ridges $50 to $50 feet high. covered
with dense timber and underground
Upon similar range Of hills outside
them our army is drawn up in line o.
battle, completely enci' cling the enem,
from the Cumberland south of the for
Is the backwater Of stream which
Hanks the fort on the north
Gen Oglcshv, who has the extrem,
right, last night, pushed forward hi'
brigade to the Cumberland, and ha.
} planted battery commanding ths
river, which will cffsctnal'y prevent ,ht
arrival Of any more reinforcements.
In fact, we have them completed,
surrounded, and to complete the job a
our leisure. \ formidable attempt VA.
made last night to take Taylor's battery
BY the enemy, who approached under
cover Of darkness, but they were gal
lan,ly repulscd BY the Goth Illinois.
Considerable skirmishing occurred
during the night, both forces endeavor
ing, in the darkness, to crowd in upon
the other. This morning, 1t was dis
covered that the enemy had placed logs
on the top of their brsastworks, leaving
little space for them to shoot through,
and much diminishing their risks from
the urerring aim: Of our: sharpsshooters
The casualties anon. our artillery
thus far were very small. The loss Of
the enemy, As far IS can be ascsrtained
is considerable.
Yesterday afternoon, after the storm
ing party had retired, and when the
rebels were thickly crowded together to
repel the assault, Captain Taylor opened
on them with shell with terrible effect.
His practice was superb, creating the
greatest CONSERVATION in their ranks,
and causing them to take refuge in
their entertainments.
The gunboat assault was terrific, ex.
ceeding even. the Fort Henry lombard
ment. 1t lasted about an hour and a
half.
The enemy has fronting on the river
two batteries, the lower one Of nine and
the upper. four guns, beside teninch
Columbiad.
Tho wooden gunboats Tyler and
Consstoga were engaged in the fight.
1 Commodore Foote pronounccs tho
engagement the hottest he ever wit
messed.
Seven Of tho nine guns in the lower
tier of tho cnemy's battery had been
silcnced, and everything wasapparently
progressing favorably, when the rnder-
chain Of the Carondrlet was severed.
/ ~ Il sve Ia