The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-02-27
Order of Battle at Fort Donelson.

The hight at Fort DOnelS0n on saturday,
was desperate and bloody. The left wing
of our forces, composed Of General Nc
Clcrnand's division, bore the brunt Of the
battle.
The enemy commenced action by firing
grape into the 3lst and 29th Illinois Regi-
ments, which were encamped on the extreme
right. The first brigade, Col. Oglesby
commanding, drew up in line in the follow
ing order: 18th, extreme right; Sth next,
followed by the 29th, which supported the
right of Stewards battery the light artil-
lery and 3lst took up position on the
extreme left. ALI the Illinois regiments in
the second brigade, Gen. Wallace command
ing, consisting of the 11th, 10th, 45th and
4Sth, with McAllis,er's and Taylor's light
artillery and four siege guns. The attack
ing force of the enemy was about l2,OOO
The position of the ground was such
could operate at the same time, whilst the
rebels could bring nearly their whole force
to bear against u.s. The first regiment to
receive the rebel fire was the 18th Illinois,
which fought desperately until their ammu-
ton was exhausted, when they were COM
PEELED to retire, with considerable loss.
They were replaced by the Sth, which
fought with like bravery, but were driven
back after exhausting their ammunition and
were in turn replaced by the 18th, which
also fell back. Meanwhile, other regiments
were rendering such feeble aid as their
positions would admit.
Gen. Wallace was then ordered to rein
force McClernand, and sent two brigades OF
his division from the centre. The 3lst,
Col Logan's regiment, fought like veterans,
defending Schwartz's battery under most
CALLING fire, until all the officers Of the bat
terry and all the horses were killed. One
Lieut.. Col, an acting Major, seven cap
tans and number of Lieutenants were
killed, and the Colonel was badly wounded.
Being nearly surrounded, Capt. McCook.
who had been left in command, drew what
remained of the regiment of the field, not,
however, until their last round had been
fired, and they had commenced to drive the
rebels before them.
The second brigade now came up and
took their places, and fought desperately,
loosing great number killed and wounded,
when, with the assistance of a portion OF
Walace's division, the 49th and 59th Ohio,
with Tay!or's battery, which was stationed
on hill near by, and as the rebels came
again to charge, opened fire op them. driv
ing a portion of them back into their
entrenchments, while large portion still
occupied the ground they had gained.
Their object evidently was to cut their way
through our forces. In the afternoon Gen.
Grant saw that something should be done
to restore the spirits Of our dishear,eneG
troops, and ordered Gen. Smith to make AZ
assault on the left wing of the enemy's
works. Gen. Smith rode to and fro along
the line and ordered his men to prepare for
a charge, which caused shouts Of joy along
the whole line.
Immediately Col Lauman's brigade, the
7th Iowa, 1lth and 25,h Indiana, charged
up to the enemy's redoubts, driving the
rebels before them at the point Of tie bay
onet like frightened geese.
Gen, Smith behaved like one inspired.
He could be seen riding along the line, hat
swinging on the point Of his sword, encour-
aging his men, regardless of the missiles fly
ing around him. The Colonel of the End
Iowa vas first to mount the enemy's works,
with his brave men following close behind
him. The storming was complete.
Our troops gained position inside their
works, where they lay on their arms all
night, intending 10 follow up their success
in the morning.
After Gen. Smith had gained position.
Gen. Grant sent word of his success to his
right wing, and ordered Gems. McClernand
and Wallace to renew the attack, with the
first and second brigades, which had been
in the bloody affair in the morning, with
McClernand's division and two brigades.
Wallace's division made fresh assault
on the enemy, regained all ground previous
ly lost and pushed forward close upon the
left of the rebel Notifications and then lay
on their arms, prepared to act in concert
with Gen. Smith, Sunday morning.
During the night contractions of our lines
were made for an early assault with bayonet
At daylight an advance was made, but when
full light Of day appeared, white flags were
discoveree in many places floating on the
enemy's works
A Federal officer approached their lines
and was informed that the rebels had stack
ed arms. They surrendered Sunday morn
ing. @
Gen. Buckner, commanding the rebels,
sent dispatch to Gen. Grant, requesting
an armistice until II o'clock, and an ap-
pointment of commissioners to agree upon
terms of capitulation. Gen. Grant replied,