Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-28
The Fort Donelson Surrender.
GEN. GRANTS OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS ABMY IN THE FIELD.
Fonr DoNELsOS, Sunday. Feb, lG. 1862

Fopr DoNELsoS, Sunday, Feb. l6, 1862
GES. G. W. CuLLoM
ChiJe STAFF, Dporiment e( Nssoun: ::
GENERAL: Am plensed 10 announce to yon
the unconditional surrender this morning Of
Fort Doneson, with Il OOl TO 900 prisoners,
at least forty pieces Of artillery, and IL large
amount oi stores horses, mules and other pubic
properly,
lett Fort Henry on the 18th inst, with "A
force of about 10000 men, divided into two
dvsions under the command of Gems McClel-
uand aud Smith. Six regiments were sent
around by water the day before, conveyed by a
guuhout, or rather started one day later than one
of the guuboats aud with instructions not to
pass ii.
The troops made the march in good order,
the head of the column arriving within two
miles Of the fort at II o'clock NJ. AT this
point the eEemy's pickets were met and driven
in.
The fortihcations of the enemy were from this
point gradually approached and surrounded with
occasional skirmisning ON the line The follow
ing DAY, owing to the n-arrival Of the gunboat
and reinforcemeuts sent by water, attack was
made but the investment was extended on the
TANKS Of the enemy, and drawn closer to his
works. with -kirmishing all day, On the even
ing Of tue 18th, the Gunboat and reinfOrcemens
arrived. On the l4th, gallant attack was made
by Flag Officer Foote urou the euemys works
with his fleet. The engagement lasted probably,
one hour anl half and bid fair TO result favor
ably 10 the cause Of the Union, when two uulucky
shots disabled two Of the armoted gunhoats, so
that they were carried back by the current. The
remaining two were very much disabled, also,
having received II number Of heavy shots about
the pilot house and other parts Of the yesses.-
| After these mishaps, concluded to make the
investment OF Fort Donelson as perfect MS posi-
/ BILE, and partially fnrtfy and await repairs to
the gnnbotts. This plan was frustrated, how
ever by the enemy making the most vigorous
attack upon our right wing, commanded by Gen.
j. A McClernaud with portion Of the force
under Gen. Ia. Wallace. The enemy were re-
PEELED after Il closely contested battle Of several
/ hours in which our loss was heavy The oiii-
GERS, and particularly field officers, suffered ont
Of proportion, ] have not the means OF deter
mining our loss even approximately, but it
cannot fall iar short of 200 killed, wounded
and missing. OF the latter understand through
Gen. Bucsner about $50 were taken prisoners.
i shall retain enough of the enemy to exchange
for them, as they were Immediately shipped of,
and not left for recapture.
| About the close OF this action the ammunition
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 advantage Of this fact, ordered A
charge upon the left tho enemy's right with tue
Division under Geu. G. +. Smith, which was
most brilliantly executed, and gave to our arms
full assurance Of victory. The battle lasted
until dark, giving us possession of part Of their
| intrenchments. An attack was ordered upon
their other flank, after the charge by Gen. Smith
was commenced, by the Divisions under Gems.
McC ernand and Wallace, which, notwithstanding
the hours of exposure 10 d heavy fire in the fore
part of the day, was gallanty made, and tue
enemy further repulsed' Al the points thus
gained, night having come on, all the troops en-
camped for the night, feeling that complete
victory would crown their labors at an carly
hour in the morning. This morning 1T very
early hour, Gen. 8. d. Buckner sent message
to our camp under flag Of truce, proposing un
armstice, &c. A copy Of the correspondence
which ensued is herewith transmitted,
cannot mention individuals who specially
distinguished themselves, but leave that 10 diyi-
sion and brigade officers, whose reports will be
forwarded as soon as received. To division
commanders, however, Gems. McClernaud, Smith.
and Wallace, must do the justice to say that
each Of them were with their commands in the
midst OF danger, and were always ready to exc
cute oil orders, no matter what the exposure to
! themselves.
At the hour the attack was made on Gen.
McCleInands command ! was absent, having
received note from Flag Officer Foote, request.
ing me 10 go an / see him, he being unable to
call
My personal staff, Col J. D. Webster, Chief
Of staff Col j. Riggin, jr, Volunteer Aid
Capt ]. A. Rawins, Assistant Adjutant General
Capts. c. Is. LaDgow ard W. S Hillyer, Aids,
and Lieut. Col V. Il. Mcpherson, Chief Engineer,
all are deserving of personal mention for their
gallantry and services.
For full details aud reports and particulars,
reference is made to the reports of the Engineer,
Medical Director, and Commanders Of Brigades
and Divisions to follow. l am General,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
U. s. GRANT, Brigader General.
0Pn. Grant issued the following order immP-
deately after the surrender:
GENERAL OkDER-No 9.
HEADQUARTERS DIsTRIoT WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Donelson, Feb IL, 1862
The general commanding takes great pleasure
in congratulating the troops Of this command
for the triumph over rebellion, gained by their
valor on the 18th, l4th, and 9th instant.
For four successive nights, without shelter
during the most inclement weather known in