Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-26
Gen. Grants Official Report Of the Capture
Of Fsrt Dsnelson.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD,
T. no...I.... Qak 1870 Z

HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD,
Fort Doneks0n, Feb. 16, 1852
General G. w. Cnl'OHs, Ch1tfof Staf, De-
partDt>nt of Missouri saa G
General-I am pleased to announce to You
the unconditional surrender, this morning, Of
Fort Donelson, with twelve or fifteen thousand
prisoners, at least forty pieces Of artillery and
large amount of stores, horses, mules and
other public property.
1 left Fort Henry on the 18th inst, with
force Of about Is 900 men, divided into two di-
visions, under the command of Gems McCler-
nand and Smith. Six regiments were sent
around by water the day before, conveyed by
gunboat, or, rather, started one day later
than one Of the gunboats, and with instruc-
tions not to pass it.
The troops made the march in good order
the head Of the column arriving within two
miles Of the fort at II o'clock m. At this point
the enemy's pickets were met and driven in
The fortifcations Of the enemy were from
this point gradually approached and surround
ed, with occasional skirnishing on the line
The following day, owing to the non-arrival of
the gunbost and reinfOrcements sent by water
no attack was made, but the investment was
extended on the tanks Of the enemy and drawn
closer to his works, with skirmishing all day.
The evening of the 18th the gunboats and
reinforcements arrived. On the l4th a gallant
attack was made by Flag 0ficer Foote upon
the enemy's works with bis feet. The engage
ment lasted probably one hour and half, and
bid fair to result fayorably to the cause Of the
Union, when two unlucky shots disabled two
OF the armored gunboats, 80 that they were
carried back by the current. The remaining
two were very much disabled also, having re-
ceived q number of heavy shots about the pilot
houses and other parts Of the vessels.
After these mishsps concluded to make the
investment of Fort Donelsop as perfect as pos
sible, and partially fortify and await repairs
to gunboats. This plan was frustrated, how.
ever, by the enemy making most vigorous
attack upon our right wing, commanded by
Gen. J. A. McClernsnd, with a portion of the
force under Gen. L. Wallace. The enemy were
repelled after closely contested battle of
several hours, in which our loss was heavy,
The officers, and particularly feld-oficers,
suffered out Of proportion. have no means
yet Of determining our loss even approximate
lY, but it cannot fall short of 1 200 killed
wounded, and missing. OF the latter, un-
derstand through Gen. Buckner, about $50
were taken prisoners. shall retain enough
of the enemy to exchange for them, as they
were immediately shipped off and not left for
recapture.
About the close of the action the ammupi-
ton in the cartridge boxes gave out, which
with the loss of many Of the field officers, pro-
duced great confusion in the ranks. Seeing
that the enemy did not take advantage of this
fact, ordered a charge upon the left-enemy's
right-with thu division under General c. r
Smith, which was most brilliantly executed
and gave to our arms full assurance of victory
The battle lasted until dark, giving US posses
sion Of part Of their intrenchments. An attack
was ordered upon their other flank, after the
charge by General Smith was commenced nv
the divisions under Generals McClernand and
Wallace, which, notwithstanding the hours of
exposure to a heavy fire in the fore part of the
day, was calamity made and the enemy fur
ther repulsed.
At the points thus gained, night having
come on, all the troops encamped for the night,
feeling that complete victory would crown
their labors at an early hour in the morning.
This morning, at very early hour, Gen. s. B.
Buekner sent message to our camp under a
flag Of truce, proposing an armistice, &c. A
copy Of the correspondence which ensued Is
herewith accompanied.
cannot mention individuals who specially
distinguished themselves, but leave that to
division and brigade officers, whose reports
will be forwarded as soon as received To d.
vision commanders, however, Gems. McCler-
nand. Smith and Wallace, must do the ius-
tice to say that each Of them were with their
commands in the midst Of danger, and were
always ready to execute all orders no matter
what the exposure to themselves.
D At the hour the attack was made on GEN
McClernand's command was absent, having
received note from fsg-oficer Foote equest-
ing me to gs and see him, he being unable to
call.
Ny personal staf-Col. 7. d. Webster, chief
Of staff; Colonel ]. Riggin, jr., volunteer aid;
Capt. s. A. Rawling, acting adjutant general;
Capts. @. B. LagoH and w g. Hillyer, aids,
and Lieut.. Col. V. Z. Mcpherson, chief engi.
neer-all are deserving Of personal mention
TOR their gallantry and services.
For full details and reports, and particulars,
reference is made to the reports Of the sngi.
neer, medical director, and commanders of
70
am, General, very respectfully, your ODE.
dent servant, q. 8. GRANT, Brig. Gen.
Cutting Crafts. -l...s i