New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-28
GIN. Floyd ,yD GOV. HARRIS.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF TIE SIEGE OF
EDRI D0NEI.SON.


Col. Hayne, of the 4Sth Illinois Regiment, makes
the following official report of the part taken by the
Illinois 9Th, 18th, and 10th, in The fight at Fort
Donelson:
HFADouARrEKs FORTY RIeHrH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS }
FoRr DoS BISON. Feb II, 1892
B,ieadirr. General JoHx :. McCLKRNASo, Commanding
tiu1 Dir,soa Hinos poitgteeJs
SIR: On the morning OF the 18th instant became
temporarily detached from the brigade under W. ~.
l.. Wallace, having, sbont the time the brig ade
was ready to move from their camp grounds OF the
preceding night received orders TO Iensln where Tue
regiment had encamped for the purpose OF support
ing a battery which had been planted Immediately
in front of the center OF the 10th Illinois Volunteers.
under nv command. Ia obedience TO this order
remained with the battery, whilst the remainder OF
the brigade moved TO the eastward. During the
time Was thus detached your orders were cominu'
nica ed 10 me- by " hich WAS directed to form my
re giment upon the left of The 18th Illinois Nolnn-
teers this last regiment being then formed on The
lett # the igtb Regiment, and both beng 10 my
night about 800 yards. j 10 once ordered the fSih
Regiment be formed at the point indicated and ne
soon as it YVES done l proceeded TO the extreme
right Of the whole line for the purpose of coDierDg
wi h Col. Morrison, before then II command OF the
Eth and ijth Regiments.
there ne; Col. Morrison with Capt. Stewart,
your aid and was for the iint time there Informed
that 1t was your orders for three regiments l1th,
18th, and 49Ih), to storm a redoubt OF the eneuys,
to orr front. and not far removed from us. Col.
Morrison at once expressed his Willingness TO yield
command of the co.umns 10 me; ard, with some
reluctance, not having any orders from yoa on this
point. assumed con lland OF the same, and under
the direction ana guidance Of Capt. stewart, your
aid had them formed into Enc vi battle III tie Do
YER road fronting The redoaht, distant less than d
quarter of Llie from us. Ire order OF position o
SAD rt qiIeits was not changed by ne, and tDis
placed Col Morrison and The i.th Oh tie rVht, ihe
Nth, under Major 81 I'll Colonel ana Lieutenant
Colonel. being absent, III The center, and iho euI
my Owl, Licut.Coi. Snith now decebsed, on the
( lefj.
Immediately on the form alton Of the line of bat
tle directed cACn regimertal commander 10 dc ploy
skirlishers along the front of the whole line Of
their u ectlye REGIMENT, anu 70 throw them FOR
ward from eIahty 10 one Hundred taiGs IN advance
OF Tie main coinmn. 1Ais tang zone, he com
msudants Of regiments were further dire leo 70 com
mnnicete with ne at or about Tie ocnlcr OF she
brigate-center of Eth reginlentin c-so 81 ueces-
sity, and 70 control their movements upon Toe ngh
aud leit wings BY The center " hercupon, al
once ordered ibe Whole iine forward toward the ell
eny's rcdoubts situated upon the opposite hills.
| The entire lie advanced il good order, .,ud with
slac,ity until tire Tedvubt. .; tie enemy were up
preached TO within short distance, when IRON the
rife pitt and earthen oreastworAs, which greatly
protected them the enemy opened Ot!sL and calling
tire mon us. AZ the ssue time, the eue,ui's bal.
.eries etuated 10 be conce led ana Ue'OIt
known 70 bear ulon lis, were opened. Gnd q well
directed fire Of she'll AID canister Ourcd upon OIl
franks. Notwithstanding which our liuck continued
10 advance until almost ny 10 the redOub's D! th,
enemy. Ia the ineau lint, Information which l "
: gardei as trustworthy reached us that tie enemy
was IN force behind Bis work-, .nd well prolecle,
by FIX guus planted Immediately to thair rear sa6
also by cannon situated 10 then West aud north. Al
quicky as possible proceeded ascertain the train
and became satisfied OF the fact. The entire liz,
had then been held under q brisk, calling fire io
nearly an hour. Col. Morrison, commanding III,
10Th, bad by thin tine been wounded when ieadinl
bic men upon TIE red0ubts, ana was earned iron
the iield Otter posts Of the line .ad suffered con
siderably, and learning that the Iedoubt could not
be taken without great destruction and los o. life,
at length reluctantly gave the 0roer TO retire down
the bin short distance and await your orders. Tn
was done by the eatire line in good order and with
Oh, confusion, and was ei,nily 10 M qualification
and sanctioned by yourself when reported By nie Il
| yOu.
in this action am happy to be able 20 bear teati
Douy to The good cOnouCt OF the 0lrcerr and Hef
under my command. Al 4 item unccr nv own Oh
serya.ion hjored with the utmost daring and gal
lantry, Challenging ms admiration by their Le.osm
and neiiiing iio'n their General the highest conn
dolce. lsH4M \. UAYEg,
Co.onei fIih Regiment Illinois Volunteers.