The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-03-08

cannonade commenced on both side, and con
tinued till about IL o'clock, when the 18th II
linois made charge upon the breastworkS
fighting desperately, but were repulsed b.
the enemy with great loss on both sides Tn
49th Illinois went to their relief, but als'
withdrew after sustaining heavy loss jus
before the 49th withdrew, Gen. Wallace rod'
up to the 10Th, which was drawn up IN line
and ordered us to support the gallant avn
Now was the time for desperate struggle
for the possession Of the enemy's breastworks
The 4jth marched upon the double auckland
when within thirty yards OF where the enc
my stood sheltered and concealed behind
earth works, halted, being partially shielded
by fallen timber cut to impede our progress.
at this point We stood face to face, firing
yolley after yolley, for about an hour, bu,
finding it impossible to scale the walls, with
drew over the hill about one hundred yards
and all firing ceased, At this place the regi
ment lost several killed and about IL wound
ed, among the latter, in company were Isl
Lieut.. James Baliour, buckshot in the right
arm; ID Lieut.. Henry II. Boyce, Minnie ball
in the right hip. Privates--G. W. P)pple
ton, musket ball in the right heel Isaac I,
Bridgeford, rifle ball through the left arm
close to the shoulder, badly Featuring the
bone.
Thursday night we lay on our arms within
so rods Of the enemy's batteries, protected by
the hill which rose between. We were twice
called into line during the night by skirmish'
ers coming out to annoy us This was bad
night for US, rs it rained and showed aItern'
atev, and we had neither OvercOats or blank.
cts, these being left where we camped the
night before.
Friday, continual firing was kept up from
daylight till dark, the gunboats on one side
and our flying artillery on the other, with
incesSant skirmishng by the infantry and
cavalry. Friday night We camped near the
same place We did the night before, and de.
tailed half Of each company to bring the
blankets and knapsacks from where we had
left them two days before. We slept on our
arms, and were formed in line but once.
Saturday at daybreak we were aroused by
heavy firing Of musketry on our right, and
were soon in line; and in an instant after,
musket balls, grape shot and canister were
flying thick hs hail in all directions. The
fact was, the rebels had found the day before
rather hot, and had determined to break our
lines. The fighting continued till about noon,
when, after desperate struggle, we succeed.
ed in driving the enemy back to their en-.
trenchments, with loss on either side Of 500
killed and 1000 wounded. Early in the morn
ing Lieut.. Col. Matby was carried off the
field, wounded in the right leg. As he fell he
gave Us encouraging words His loss is deep
ly felt in the regiment, as he was n brave as
the braycst CoI j. T.. Smith rode up and
down the lines encouraging the boys. Major
Smith was also in the thickest oI the fight
mile from where wc campcd the night before,
and slept well.
Sunday morning everything was as still as
death, not IL gun was fired, and at : o'clock
the news came that the enemy had made an
unconditional surrender.
Thus ended the struggle Of Fort Donclson
where most glorious victory has beer
achieved, and scccsh received Its death blow
Our boys, with but few exceptions, are well
| remain. yours, DC, O. y. Il.