Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-02-20
GREAT BATTLE
TREE REBELS ROUTED.
Ft. DOnelSON Taken.
HEAVY Loss ON BOTIs SIDES.
EVEE ED.SFsT'FdER.RR,S.
FRAME HousG. ONE MILE FROM
,ET DoNEIsoN. Feb, 12,h--ll L. VI. {

surrounding u Oft DOnulSOu, ana UOOUt one
mile distant. They are in two divisions,
under Gems. McClernard and Smith-thc
whole commanded by Gen. Grant
The gunboats (which were designed to CO.
operate in the attack have not yet arrived
but are expected tonight. If they do not
arrive by moon the attack will be made with
out them.
We have n strong force Of field artillery,
including three batteries of ri1cd Parrot
guns. most Of the artillery is already planted
in commanding positions on the hills sur
rounding the fort.
Fort Donelson, though smaller than Fort
Henry, is more advantagcously situated,
being upon the summit of high hill, com
manding the river and is protected by several
small redoubts, mounted by heavy field
pieces. The position is strong one, and if
properly defended will require desperate
conflict to take it,
The rebel force is reported at 200. The
number of their artillery is not known. Gen.
Pillow is reported tO'b in command.
The rebels have been laboiing industriously
all day strengthing their defence, and are
still working by moonlight They evidently
intend to make desperate defense.
Skirmish took place to day between the
Eighth Illinois regiment and strong scout
ing party OF the rebels in which four of our
men were wounded, one fatally. OF the
enemy several are known to have been killed
Our cavalry passed to-day several times in
m ! view OF the enemy, and in easy range of
their guns, but were not mocstcd.
Drcsscr's Battery this afternoon took po-
sition on hill, and sent several shells into
their camp, but ccitcd no response.
URADQUART ERs, NEAR FORr DoNELsoY,
February 18th, . =. NJ,
Our artillery have been playing on the out.
works of the fort all day, but with what effect
is not known, Several attempts have been
made to storm the works, but none were en-.
TREY successful. But one of the gunboats.
the Carondolet, has arrived.
a large number Of our men have been killed
and wounded. The exact number is not
known. Among the killed is Capt. Wendell,
of the Seventh Illinois. Col. Morrison, OF
the 49th Illinois, wounded.
The attack will probably be resumed to.
morrow.
heavy rain is falling.
llEADQUAnTERs, NEAR FoRT DoyELsoN, ,
10 A. NJ.
! Two OF our gunboats have arrived. Our
artillery opened upon the cnemy's works at s
o'clock this morning, and were immcdiatcl,
answered from the fort. Firing is now slowly
| going on from both sides. A general attack
will dou btless be made this afternoon.
! CUMBERLAND RIVER, NEAR FIR. DoNELsoN, !
February 10, Z. NJ. {
Firing commenced at day break, and CON
tinucd at intervals all day long up to foul
O'Clock. No movement or assault by the
land forces has beer made. Night before last
an attempt was made by the rebels to taxi
Tayor's battery Of light artillery, but they
were repulsed by two regiments, and driver
back lpNpnI tlpir on pa lnS
| in wounded is considerable, but not NOR,
han three or four are dangerously wounded
Six gnnboats arrived yesterday, and com
menccd an attack on the Fort at . Z. VI The
ilring was very rapid and severe, and lasted al
houI and twenty minutes, when our gunboats
fell back. The four iron-clad gunboats went
within lrec hundred yards of the fort Al
OF their river guns except six, were either dis
mounted or silenced.
| The first shot fired from the Louisville dis.
mounted the rebels thrty-cight FOUNDER -
The Louisville receiv ed fifty seven shots, tive
of which took effect, ono striking the star
board side Other deck, and passing througl
| the length of the boat, killing three men anC
breaking her filler rope short distance from
the pilot house. The rope was then managed
| by some OF the hands, when shell from thu
| Tyler, which lay some distance astcrn, burs
over the Louisville, scattering tho men at the
tillcr rope and 30 much disabling the stccrinl
tackle that the boat was compelled to droI
astcrn. On shot struck the Pittsburgh il
| the bow and stove an immense hole in her
which ranSSed her to drop out Of the action
Tho leak, however, has been stoppod. 90.
shot struck the pilot house OF the st. Louis
passing through il between the pilots legs
without iniuring him.
All of the boats were more or less injured
but none but the Louisville seriously.
There were five killed and two wounded on
the Louisville. The gunboatS will not be in
condition to renew the attack before to,mor-
row morning, In consequence of the height
OF the blum on which their Notifications are
built, our shot cannot have as much effect on
them as those OF Fort Henry, therefore it will
require much longer timo to reduce this
fort.
The rebels have raised tho black flag. II
can be seen flying from the bank, short dis
tance above here. | leave for the column
again ut once.
Sr, Lruls, Feb. l6, 4,25, P.M.-Thc city
is wild with excitement and rejoicing ut the
news Just made public that the American lag
waves over Fort DoneSon.
Loss heavy on both Sides
One OF Gen. Grants batteries was takCn by
the rebels, but was rc-captured by our troops,
The gunhoots are said to be badly damaged,
We expect the full particulars tonight.
WAsuNGToN, Feb, l6.-A dispatch an
nouncing our success at Fort Donclson occa-
stoned intense joy. No official dispatches
have yet been received here, further than the
upper fort had been taken by the land forces,
CAME ~ FIELD, NEAR
FIR. DoNELsoN, FEB. i5-6 Z. NJ.
The right wing OF our flgce before Fort
DOnClSun commenced the stOrming of the
fort about noon aud have taken the hight wing
of the cnemy's Iortihcations, over which the
stars and stripes are now floating in triumph,
lhe opposing forces are now almost breast to
breast ready to open the work of death upon
each other at amy moment. We have lost
two Lieutenant Coloucls killed, one of whom
Is Colonel Smith, of the Forty.
Eighth Illinois, and two Colonies Wounded
The Eight Illinois Regiment fought like tigers
aud are badly cut up. Loss on both sides
pretty severe More particulars in next dis
patch.
Sehwartz's Battery, captured by the rebels
'his morning, has been re-tabcn,
CAIRO, Feb, Ii.
The steamer Mnuohaha arrived here from
Fort DoncISon, having left the fort a five
u clock last evening, bringing a military matt
and dispatches, and one hundred to hospital
at fadueah, The fight commenced Thursday
ANA on Friday and saturday the contest was
desperate. The 18Th Illinois suffered severe
y ana the tth Iowa suffered severe loss
schwartz Battery which was captured bv tho
cnehy was re-iaken by our men. Two Colo
nelS we've wounded and two killed. The loss
is heavy on both sides. The upper fort was
laNth at four O'Clock and the Union flag now
floats over H.