Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-21
THE FORT DONELsON VICTORY.
Details of the Battle.

ShoAAo VA bAAS oobhAot
The special correspondent of the Chicago 7ri.
5une, gives some interesting details Of the great
battle oil the Cnmbei bud, lie says:
The position Of the ground occupied by our
troops in the attack upon Fort DOnel.on WIS such
that not more than one regiment could operate
ut the same time, while the rebels could bring
nearly their whole force to bear against US. The
first regiment to receive the rebels was the 18Th
Illinois, which fought with desperate courage
until their ammunition was exhausted, when they
were forced to retire. They were replaced by
the 9th Illinois. whU were also driven bick after
firing their last round. Meanwhile the other
regiments were leading such feeble assistance as
their positions would admit Geu Lew Wallace
WIS then ordered 10 reinforce Gen. McUlctnand,
and he seut Two brigades to the centre. The 3lst
Illinois, Col Logan, fought like veterans, delen-
ding Swarlz's battery, under the most Calling
fire, until every horse ut the battery was killed
together with all the officers who had charge of
the guns, AS well as the Lieut.. Colonel, the ac-
ting Major, seven captaius and a number of
lieutenanls wounded. Tue regiment being nearly
surrounded, Captain Cooke, who was left in
command, drew oil whnt there was left, not,
however, until their last round was expended,
aud they had commenced driving the rebels Le-
fore them.
The Second Brigade then came up and took
the place Of the retired Que, and fought despe-
'rntely, losing great number OF killed; but with
the assistance Of II portion of Wnaces division,
the 49lh und 59th Ohio, drove the rebels back to
their entertainments, gaining portion of the
ground lost. The object of the rebels was
evidently to cut their way through our troops
The rebels from their advantageous positions
showered upon our ranks most murderous vol
leys Of musketry, grape, and cannister, killing
and woundiug our men almost by companies At
every round Yet every man stood his ground
brhyely. These four regiments hel their ground,
dealing death. and dying aud fighting against
appalling odds, aud in the face OF every disad
vantage. The 18th illinois regiment seems to
have resisted the severest storm. Against their
ranks the rebels directed their heaviest fire but
Instead of falling back they advanced TO the face
of the enemy, and there stood in the very jaws
OF denth with scarcely prospect that u sin
gle one would escape. For three hours these
regiments, numbering scarcely 1000 men,
held their ground against the whole rebel garr
son.
At one time the 18th, being partially thanked,
was exposed to a cross fire Of both muskery and
artillery, but our right wing soon relieved them.
At this critical moment Col Lawler fell. Capt
Bush, acting Lient Colonel, then assumed the
command but was soon wounded. Capt Cruise
WAS shot dead. Capt. Lawler was mortally
wounded Lieuis Munsiord and Thompson were
killed, Capls. Dillan and Wilson, aud Lieuts.
Kelley nnd Seaman wounded, so that the daring
"Egyptian Regiment" stood before almost over
wheming force without officers. They fell in
heaps, dead and wounded Companies were
bereft of captains and lieuteaants, and captains
were almost bereit of companies.
The other three regiments did their duty
nObly. Colonies Ogesby, Marsh and Logan
dashed along the ranks waving their hats aud
cheering their men on to the conf ct. Suffer
death" cried Logan, "bnt disgrace never stand
firm and well they needed him. Many fell dead
aud wounded,
Among the latter were Col. Logan and Lieut..
Col White
Coils Ogelsby and Marshs regiments fought
desperately, losing like the other regiments an
undue proportion of officers.
Col. ugleshy displayed GOODNESS and courage
that has elected the highest praise, and served
we'll in stimulating his men.
Never, perhaps. GU the American continent
has more bloody battle been fought.
From the firing of the first gun until Q O'Clock,
the battle ragged unremittingly and with fearful
loss on both sidea Again and again our troops
drove the enemy back, but they were often re-
inforced, while our troops had, owing to the
extended lines of the army, and also their posi-
ton on the extreme right, to fight unassis-
ted.
More gallant fighting never occurred than that
of the Union troops. Exposed to the terrible
firing of triple their number, they stood their
ground until in some regiments, every officer was
killed or wounded.
At last, AMI reluctantly regiment by regiment,
they slowly fell hack leaving Schwartz s battery
and three Of McAllsters guns in the rebels
hands Retiring n few hundred yards they all
then made stand, and General Smith arrived
with reinforcements and at once drove the enemy
gain into their works.
General Grant having, in command Of the
division, driven the enemy back with relu-
f0fcements and gained the lost ground, al
once ordered an advanced by General Smith OF
the left
Charging under n hot fire up the steep hill, OF
which WAS located the outer redOubt, our troops
gained the high breastworks, and with hardly {
pause went over them, planting the stars ant
stripes over the walls under most calling fire
They then formed, charged and drove the enemy
back unlil he fell into a new position behind som'
batteries.
When evening came, the Union troops hat
been victorious Mt every point having gaine'
back the ground lost in the morning an go
within one part Of the enemy's works.
Our troops held their position during th'
night, iOpelling the repeated assaults of th
enemy
The scene within the captured fort after b
surrender showed how terribly the rebel gar
, rison had suffered. Everywhere lying frag
ments of shells and round shot half burie
, in the earth, tents were torn to pieces, gu
. carriages broken and blood scattered around.
In the left redoubt, where the assault ha
1 taken place, the dead bodies lay thickly, an
i abundant evidence of II stern resistance an
, gallant attack was visible On the extrem
q right where the desperate sortie was mad
the garrison, similar scenes were visible.
The gallantry of the Union troops has bee
A well aud severely tested, and they have prove
more than equal to the task before them.
As the fleet approached the fort, this morning
a salute was fired, and three cheers wentup whe
tue American flag was displayed.
! ! No officer in the army had an idea of the ez
Z tent of thu defences of Fort Donelsln until the
70 had been gained and examined.
Several of our men, when out Of ammunition
70 rushed forward, and although exposed TO Il
full fire of the rebel artillery gallanty drove the
J. foes back with the bayonct and captured the
ii. guns.