Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-02-21
The Greatest Battle ever Fought
in America:
Fort DOnelsOn, Captured!
Some Particulars.
Some Particulars.

The Battle commenced Thursday,
and continued THREE DAYS. Our
men fought with lion-like courage
no flinching-day after day, they met
the enemy's deadly weapons.
OF our 10000 men, only few at
time could be employed. One Regi-
ment would fire, or charge bayonet,
and make room for another. Some
times their Officers were all shot or
out Of sight, but the Volunteers stood
to their posts like Regulars.
Com. Foote and his iron gun-boats
accomplished much against the foe,
but were badly riddled.
The Rebels fought desperately, and
occasionally made some advances
but the Union forces gradually over.
came them, day by day.
Neither Saratoga, Yorktown, or
any other battle in America, had as
many com5atants as at Ft.Donelson-
nowhere so many prisoners.
The Rebel Generals taken are S.B.
Buckner, Bushrod johnson, and ano-
ther named Vest.
The Illinois soldiers composed the
majority of the Union forces-lndia-
ma next, then Ohio, Iowa, Missouri.
The $1,000 prisoners are divided
among the Western Cities. Some Of
them express willingness to fight in
the Union ranks.
THE SURRENDER
Lanmau's brigade, of Snith's division,
was the first in the lower end Of the en-.
emy's works, v hich position they succeeded
in obtaining b. charging bayOnet.-
As pine. .,en,hs Of the Rebels we're pit
ted against our righ. wing, cur forces on
the righ, we're ready all Saturday night to
recommeuce the attack.
During Saturday night, contraction
Of cur lines was made, for = simultaneous
assault from every point, aud orders we're
given, by Gen. Grant, to take the enemy
at the point Of the bayonss.
Every man Was At his post at daylight
on Sunday, aua ready to advance; but
when the full light of day broke forth,
rhie .J'rgs were seen displayed in many
places Oh the enemy's works.
Al officer, a, a convenient point, Was
informed tha. they had stacked their arms
aud surrendered 10 the morning, the fol-
lowiu. correspondence having passed be.
tween the Commanders
Headquarters For: Donslssn,
February l6, 1862.
SIR: In consequence Of all the eircum-
stances governing the present situation Of
sff airs at ihis station, propose to the
Commanding officer Of the Federal forces
the appointment of Commissioners to ar
range upon terms o! capitula,ion Of the
forces at this place under my command.
In that view, suggest an arnsis.ice until
Il o'clock to-day.
lam very respectfully, your obd't servt,
5. b. BUckyER,
Brigadier-G enerai G. S. A.
To Brig. Gen. US Grant, commanding
the Tn. States forces near Fort Donelson.
ANSWER.
Headquarters, on the Field.
Fort Donslson, Feb. 10, 1862.
To Gen. S. b. BUcKNER
SIR: Yours of this date, proposing an
armis,ice, and the appointment Of Com
missioners, TO settle on the terms of eapi-
tulation, is Just received. No terms, e1-
cept an unconditional and immediate sur
render, can be accepted. propose TO
move Immediately on your works.
lam, very respectfully, your obd's ssrvt,
L. S. GRANT, Brig. Gen. Cong.
The REPLY.
HEADQUARTERS,
Dover, Tenn, Feb. l6, 1862.
To Gen. S. 3. BUCKSER.
SIR: The distribution Of the forces IN.
der my command, incident to an uneI.
pected change Of commanders ssd the
overwhelming force under your command,
compels me, notwithstanding the brilliant
success Of the Confederate arms, to accept
the tnyenerous and unchipairous terms
which you propose.
l am, sir, your ob't serv't.
s. B. BCCKSER, Brig. -Gen.C.SA.
Our forces were SOON in the snemy's
works, when the Rebel officers gave up
their swords. The bulk Of the Rebels
were chagrined, as they knew Of the sur
render long before our men were spprised
of it.
Pillow and Floyd had planned aud ex-
ecuted their escape during the nigh, TAX
ing with them FIoyd's Brigade and few
and occupying what few small
steamers they had. The prisoners are
loud in denuncia.ion Of the runavayG
Many of them acknowledge the hopeless
ness of their case, and intimate . willing
ness to take an oath Of allegiance and re-
turn to their homes.
To the question put to an officer as to
how many prisoners We had, be replied
''Yuu have all out of $4,000 Who were
IL S,1 as.sr.D