Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-03-04
Respectfully.
w. d. RUDGERs
HEADQUARTERS 20TH INFANTRY.
Fort DoNELsoS, Feb. IL, 1862.

HEADQUARTERS Corn INFANTRY.
2SD BRIsEDE, lsT DIVISION, H. VOLUNTEERS. I
FORT DoNELsOS, Feb. IL, 1862.
SIR:
In compliance with orders, make the /.
followin report of the movements Of my
command during the 18th, 18th and 18th !
instants. On the morning of the 18th inst.
nv Regiment with the rest of the Brigade
was formed in line of battle near the brow !
of I'LL fronting the right of the enemies
Notifications. Nothing of special interest
effecting my commanl occurred during this
day Towards evening j was ordered to
move to the right, and took position on
ridge facing the outworks of the rebels left
the llth Illinois beng on my right and
the 4Sth on my left. Shortly after taking
position il commenced raining, turning in
a short time to snow and bitterly cold
My regiment was under arms nearly the
whole night, the frequent skirmishes of
our pickets with those of the enemy Lead
Jog me to fear an attack at any moment.
At daylight on the morning of the 18th L
ordered fires started and coffee made for
my command, our close proximity to the
enemy forbidding the use of fires at night.
Most of this day was spent in watching
the movements Of the enemy, and employ
ing my sharp shooters in picking of the
rebels as they exposed themselves above
the breastworks. This night was passed
very similarly to the proceeding one, my
men bearing the exposure to the cold and
| the fatigue with exemplary patience. At
/ daybreak on the morning of the 18th inst.
repeated volleys of musketry on the right
/ caused me to form in line of battle. soon
ascertained that the firing was caused by
the enemy's attacking the first Brigade,
/ (Col. Ogesby's) posted on the extreme
right Of our line. Immediately strength
ened nv skirmishers whom had kept out
all night giving instructions 10 report from
time to time the movements of the enemy,
If attacked to endeavOr to drive back their
advance and not to retreat till forced to do
50 by superior force. Matters continued
thus for some two hours, the firing on the
| right being without inttrmission. At this
time the officer in command Of my skirm-
ishers informed me that the enemy were
advancing in my front A few moments
and nv advance was drawn back, and
almost Immediately the rebels appeared
coming over the brow of the hill. Not
waiting to receive their attack, | ordered
my command to advance, which they did
in admirable order, driving the rebels
steadily before them till they broke and
run. Advancing in pursuit was sudden
ly met by fresh force Of the enemy who
81 once opened Ere upon me-still moving
forward L succeeding in forcing them TO
retreat, and followed them up TILL running
shoru of ammunition, drew back in good
order, to my first position, and sent back
for fresh supply of ammunition. / re-
manned here without further molesta;iOn
from the enemy till ordered to march to the
left. Shortly after taking my original POI
sition the llth Illinois, next on my right
became engaged. and TT the time Of nv
being ordered off the field we're still fight
ing bravely. Had received fresh sup
ply of ammunition | would gladly have
gone 70 their assistance | may be pardon
ed for speaking with pride of the behavior
of nIy entire command, officers end men,
during the action, the fine order and the
cColness ard courage WITH which they al
vanced in the face of a terrible and cons
tinuous fire, meets my hearty commenda-
tion. My every order was promptly and
correctly executed and to my complete sat-
isfactiOn. Could my record end here
would be indeed happy, but the pamfRl
duty remains to report the loss OF many of
my brave men My Lieut. Col. WIN. Err
wiB, was killed qni,e early in the action,
being struck in the breast 10y round shot
from one of the enemys guns. A cOul,
brave officer, noble man, lac glorinusly
fell in the execution of his duty-adIing
in his death new laurcls to those he long
since won on the bloody field of "Bueua
Z Vista" His commander sadly regrers the
occasion which calls forth this feeble nib
ute of respect to his memory. Color Scr
geant Newton and the entire Color Guard
except one Corporal were either killed or
wouHded. herewith append u list Of the
killed, wounded and missing of my eun>
mand. My field music and band were
employed during the action IN renewing
the wounded and dead from the field, thus
rendering efficient service and permitting
me TO retain all my fighting men in the
ranks. rendering my congratulations on
the glorious victory and capture of Fort
Donelson, l have the honor to remain
your very obedient servsnt,
&C MARSH,
Col. 10th Reg. IlPs. Infantry,
I'd Brig 1st Div. Ill. Vol.
To Lieut. J. P. Rumsey, A. ID c. AMI A.
A. a. Gen. I'd Brigade, lst Div. Ill. Vol.
List Of killed, wounded and missing Of
Goth Illinois Infantry in the action of Feb.
18th, 1862, at Fort Donelson, Tenn:
Lieut. Gel. VIM. Erwin, killed by /
poun round shot.
Drum Major, VIM. D. Rudgers, slightly
wounded.
Company 4, Champaign Co-Killed-
Corporal Willis + Lewis.
Wounded-lst Lieut. VIM Ar,hdeacon.
Color Corporal. Earnest Lahman, seriously:
Jacob kenestrick, seriously: Hiram Poe.
mortality; James MCGEE. slightly David
Kelly, slightly; John McLoughlin, slight
| ly; L b Green, slightly.
Company p, RW Ce,-Killed-Color
Corporal John Wcist.
Woundei-2d Lieut. King, slightly +:
Wilson W Wright, mortally Eugene r
Currier, seriously; Henry Sampson, se-
riously; James Carson, slightly; Francis
NJ Rookie, slightly George Bentz, slightly;
George Lee, slightly; Joseph Griffin,
slightly George Smith, slightly; Hen
ry Gehrich, slightly.
Missing-Joshua Dykenan.
Company c, Mclean Co.-Killed-Cor-
poral Geo Halford.
Wounded-Corporal Nathan r Newton.
seriously; Corporal Henry c Manner,
slightly; Alfred j Levitt, mortally; Lew,
Is later, mOrtally; Hans Larsen, NOR
tally; John Ii Burtis, seriously; David l.
Charlton. seriously; VIM c. Drumming,
Ihos Elliot, Thomas Garrison, Thomas ii
Ervins, George Vandeyander, seriously /;
Mkt Ball, VIM Ii Flesher. James w
Harreii, Chas Jeunison. Benz Mol, VIM
W Norris, Albert Ii Rowan, John Ste
phenson, slightly.
Company d, Livingston Co.-Killed-
Jacob Heighshue, Henry Bedda.
| Wnpndai IT,, II
tally; James NJ FOrtuer, dangerously ::
| Lawrance Bousch. Christian Easter los