The New York herald., 1862-02-22

THE FORT DONElS0M VICTORY.
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
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OPERATIONS OF THE LAND FORCES.
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The Brilliant Charge Of Lau-
mans Brigade.
THE CAPTURE OF THE RIFLE PITS.
the FIRE EATERS OF THE WEST,
A &C., &C., &c.
THE CAPTURE OF THE RIFLE PITS

correspondence OF the Chicago Tribune, Feb. 1911
Inc army made no movementon Friday Of consequence,
Iho latter eated with the repuse Of the
ana undoubtedly concluded that they would either re-
pnse the army If not that they would cut their wav
through and escaped to Clarksville.
Prepared TO do either, as circumstances might decide
AZ SIX o'clock on Saturday morning they appeared in
sohd column upon the road which ary parallel
70 she creek, at McCernards right IL was few min.
1tes rast six when our pickes exchanged shots with
Immediately the whole division was astir waiting for
Wnat might turn up. As the rebels neared forces
ney depoyed and formed in line Of battle making the
furious attack upon the right also sending their
sssippi sharp shooters, one OF the captains now
Tns = prisoner informed me, to the left to throw the
SgventR and twentieth regiments into confusion
1t was about o'clock when the firing began on
the right, and in few minutes 1t running like
tram OF powder on hoor along the entire line. Tho
rebels advanced with determnaton-not in o regular
ne but in the guerilla modeavaing themselves Of the
trees and tho undulaons Of the ground Their design
was TO cut tho division at the centre turn the regiments
on the right, composing Ogesbys brigade up the
creek, and capture them But their that
end were f0cd. Tho regiments at the centre being
pressed after standing hot rc begun gradually to fall
back which rendered necessary Ogesby TO do tho
samc rs he senaated from the division and the entire
right wing Of the division accordingly swung slowly
at FIRST Dressers and Schwartzs batteries brought
into position as soon possible, and for while there
was very heavy fire, accompanied by continued rolls Of
inske;ry II ono to Judge by sound alone all bat
ties would be terrific; but when a fight IS waged in
iorest the trees high in the branches usually suffer
most There was however, considerable loss on both
sides at this point.
Anu now occurred ono OF those biunderB common In
warfare. Tho enemy pressing hard upon our forces,
General NcCernand sent Major Brayman for reinforce.
ments Io rode rapidly to the and came upon COL
Crufts brigade who moved forward, crossed the road
and came up In of the Trticth and lhirt first
These regiments were lying down and firing the
they their feet not knowing whether tho force
their rear friend foe. The Twenty fifth Kentucky
sapposing them to be rebels, poured in voley which
did terrible execution Is not possible ascertain
bow many fell under the fire, bat 1t was sufficient to
throw the entire division into disorder and there
was almost panic Some lnen took to their heels threw
down their guns and equipments and fled to the
cryng"Al is los!" "we ars all cut to piecesr' and
similar expressions Some Of them fled to Fort
Henry twelve miles distant, and Immediately the woods
wore lcd with straggers
The enemy improved the opportunity and advanced
un Dresser's and SchwartZs batteries capturing five
guns, taking possession of General McClenands head
quarters md driving our forces nearly mile and half
the oust driven us captured five guns and had reason
70 feel that the day was theirs,
Bat now they committed fatal mistake Instead Of
eonerg 10 the original plan TO escape they resolved
follow up thor advantage by pursuit. cut up and
ture the entire army.
of ammunition.
AT this ncture General wallaces division was thrown
N mont They took up position ridge, with Cap
tain Iayors battery in the at tho road, COM
manding IL down tho ridge to tho bottom Of ravine.
1cssorpands diys was making rp its scattered ranks,
ready TO support Wallace. It now past noonnearly
ono ocloc4 The rebels formed upon the rlge whl,h |
General McClernand had occupied through the ni ht,
They flushed with success and descended the rt9s
with the expectation OF routing the Yankees As they
eanc IN range, Taylor opened spon thom with she'll
grape and canister They quailed before il advanced
SLOW pace, came to halt, and the infantry opened
began TO fali back. Wallace improved the moment
moved on drove them before him, regained the lost
ground, recovered NcCerpaDds tent and occupied the
old ground
TINS is only brief pcte, conveying general idea
canhot s1ak OF the pre~ess Of the troops OF instance
v psivdual bravery ethough 1t is generally admitted
that Taylor's battery saved the day.
Tho rebels might have ESCAPED when wa!.1fe was |
driving them back, but by SOME faulty neglected the
opportunity, and again bxed up. Ihts madp two
distinct fights but the day not thus to close Tbefs
be second display Of cooness, daring and de-
termned bravery Of Union troops, 6shtrng under the
stars and Stripes resn!tips 2 signal vNtoy.
gsdo Of Smiths son, we'e ready do their part in
crushing out yebelion, and General Grant decided that
they shonG have opportunity to show their valor.
Directly west Of Fyt Dvnelsop, and beyond
lgpd running parallel 70 that which the breas;works
Weo erected Tho distance across from ridge ridge,
near as could Judge by somewhat minute survey,
Is forty rods. On this ridge were ten rife
pits, made Of logs, with shallow ditch behind and the
fxCavated earth thrown up in front. The western slope
Of the ridge was quite steep. Tho distance to tho base
was thirty rods, as judged, opcnfng upon a meadow
and cornedS The slope had bcsn forest bat the rebels
had uted their axes and cut dowa ,he trees, fcrng
abbsts not npassabie because the forest wsa ssad
but serious obstruction to the advance Of AN ssny Ii
was desirable that tho rebels should be drssn ut ~
their pits, for they in part commanded fcs Douckon,
lying about sixty rods farther east.
The pits defended by Mississsnpi. one Ken
lucky, and Tennessee refiment vale other r.y-
ents were In position In tie toysuu,ort them
Colono Iauman formed his briga, IL, the meadow in
plain sight Of the enemy ju bcyoAd nuset range ald
advanced The following Iagram will rtpresentthe po-
,ttions:-
S-Col Heads Tenn.