Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-27
The Eort ponelson A1rA,r.,-Federa1 Renor,

80 ioN"ibS
Tin, Fort Donelson fight &c.
Ar1 tuai of Prisoners from Fort Donelson-l foremot
of Of tie Rebels at CarksUae- The General Jobneos
eaptu ed hot Il. Sidney Johnston, but Grigader Gen.
Btshrod Johnson
CAIRO, February +
The steamer Memphis arrived from Fort DoDpiso,
this evening, bringing Mississippi regiment Of nrs
oners, and some fifty or sixty wounded soldiers Who
were left at Mound city. Eight nine boats are On
their way up with prisoners. The rebels who esoa
ped from Fort DonelsoD went to Nashville or Clarkg
VILE where it is supposed the rebels will make anothn
stand
Last evening great light was seen in the direction
of GAINESVILLE and it is supposed the rebels there have
eithr burned the town their Steamboats, to prevent
their falling into our bands
The rebel officers captured admit that if Nashvl4is
taken, the rebellion in Tennessee is broken up.
The prisoners from Fort Doneson will probably b.
sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago.
It appears that the General Johnston captured at
Fort Donei8on is Bushr0d Johnson, Of Tennessee,
Brgader General, and not as was first stated, Genqai
A. 5. Johnston.
Anoiher Account Of the Battle Desperate AuemD, c
the Rebels 10 cut their sCay through our lines
CHICAGO, Feb 49,
The Tribupe's special despatch from Fort Dones,n
gives additional points Of interest The writer
says:
The position Of the ground &c .upied by our tro,n
lin the attack on Fort Donelson was such that not marc
than regiment could operate at the same time while
the Rebels could bring nearly their whole force Ia one
rate against The first regiment to receive tie Re
bes the Eighteenth Illinois, which fought with
desperate courage until their ammunition was exhaust
ed, when they were forced 10 retire.
They were relieved by the Eighth Illinois, who were
driven back after firing their last round. Mean.
WHILE the other regiments lending suca Gebea as
ssance as their positions would admit. General Lew
Wallace then ordered to reinforce General McCl4r.
uand, and sent two brigadts from the centre. The Tu
y-irst Illinois Regiment Col Logan, fough like yete.
rams, defending SchwartzS Battery uDdgr the most
calling f:e until every horse at the battery kiel
together with all the officers who had charge of the
guns, we'll the Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Major
and seven Captains 4 number OF the Leuenans Of
the fhirt y-tirst Illinois Regiment were WOu1ded beng
nearly surrounded Capt Cook who was lett in com.
: mard, drew IF what left Of the regiment; not
however, uHtil their last round OF ammunition was tx
pended and they bad commenced driving the Rebels be-
lore them. The Second Brigade then up and took
i the place OF the retired one and. fought desperately
losing great number killed but, with the assistance
$ of portion of WalIace's Divison--the Forty-niub
: and Fity-ninth Ohio Regiments--drove the Rebls
back to their entertainments gaining the portion
ground lost
The object Of the Rebels in this struggle was eyi Mt
d " to cut their way through troops.
= Further Particulars Of the Taking Of Fort Dopesm
ST. LOUIS, Feb H.
The Democrats latest advicas from Fort Donelson
up to Monday, say 1t is impossible to state the precise
extent Of the captures, everything being in such cmu
u sion within the fortress. The Fifty-fgst ana Fifty
q seventh Virginia Regiments, and several Arkansas
Alabama and Texls Regiments were among ha
forces which left with Pillow and Floyd 10 the night
+ Gen. Grant has theoretically ordered speedy forward
l. movement to still greater victories.
h The tebeI officers assert that General Johnston will
If concentrate lvery available soldier at Nashville and
If make desperate attempt to retrieve the isfCruned
- the fort.
The Rebel Surgeons place their loss in killed and
wounded at tween three ard four hundred killed and
o double the number wounded.
10 4noiher account Of the last days fight
c CINCINNATI, Feb. IS
y, The following is an account Of the lighting Saue.
day at Fort Doneson
N On Saturday mornng the battle was rasu ned with
unusual vgor and determination
The First Eighteenth Twentieth and Thirt7irst
u Illinois Regiments occupied positions above tie fort
re They were about preparing little food for tie dag
he sustenance when the Rebels opened on them fir, Of
RS musketry
e. line Of battle was at once formed, and the mm
of eaden hail returned, peciptiby thinning the R.bl
9 ranks.
II The Rebels from their advantageous positions show
&c erld upon ranks most murerous volIeys OF mu5
III ry, grape and canister, killing and woundiug our men,
almost By companies, every round Yet every man
stood his ground bravely. These four regiments hid
tie their ground, dealing death, and dying and fighting
ay against appalling odds and in the face Ct every d.sd
vantage, The Eighteenth Illinois Regiment seems to
70 have resisted the seveest storm. Against their ranks
the Rebels directed the heaviest fire, but instead Of .
there stood III the very jaws of death, with g.acy
prospect that single one would escape.
For three hours these regiments numbering scarcely
three thousand men, held their ground against the wo
~, Rebel garrison
s. AT time, the Eighteenth, being partially luGe
us exposed to cross fire of both mQsketry and ar
e3 ery, but our right wing relieved them At this
wi critical moment, Colonel Lawyer fell. Captain Bush
,ty acting leuen mt Colonel then assumed the command
we but was soon wounded Captain Cruise was slo. dead
70 Captain LAWYER was mOrtaly wounded LeuteDIHt
al Munsord and Thompson were killed; Captains Dillon
Ter and Wilson and Lieutenants Kelly aud Scanan wound
ep ed so that the daring Egyptian Regiment s;cO
ed before the almost overwhelming force without differs
i 10 They Tell in heaps, dead and wounded. Companie
ed were bereft Of captains and enenants and captain
almost bereit OF companies the other three
r., ments did their duty noby. Colonies Ogesby Mar,b
ne and Logan, dashed along the ranks, waving their hats
i'm and cheering their men on TO the conflict. Sufa
US DEATH" cried Logan, /" but disgrace never STAN
Ter firm p and well taty needed HIM Many lel dead an
coy wounded Among The latter Col. Logan and Lieu
ny tenant Colonel While.
the Colonies Ogesby and Marsha Regiments fought des
OF peratey, losing like The other regiments an undue o
MY portion Of officers
9d Coooel Oglcsby displayed coone8s and courag
that has elected the highest praise and served well
ed stimulating his men
lay Never, perhaps, on the American continent, las
more bloody battle been fought.
An officer who particp ated, and was wounded in Ii
light says the scene beggars description. So thick!
was the battle field strewn with the dead and wounds
J. that could have taversed acres of it by taking a.
most every step upcn PROSTATE body.
ter The Rebels fought with desperation, their artie5
It using their pieces with the most fearful effect
ded On either side could be heard scores of those COM
of mand cheering on their The four Illinois re-.
the mens held their ground full three hours. Nearly or
hat third had been killed or wounded and vet the bac
firm Nv pipfCrc M