Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1862-03-26
SslasIlgilIe 4iltot.
The Battles at Fort Donelson.
GgueraI EioyIss Ece.>er:.
CAMP NEAR MUnFREEsBUEo.)
February %. 1862 {

CAMP NEAR MUGFREESBUEOl
February %, 1862
GENEEAL \. s. JOHNSTON:
Sir: Your order of the 18th of this
month, transmitted TO me at Cumberland
City, reached me The same evening. Ii
directed me 10 repair at once, with what
force | could command. to the support of
the garrison at Fort DoneIsOn. / imme-
diately prepared for my departure, and
effected ii in time 10 reach Fort DOnel =
son the next morning 18th. before dav-
light. Measures had been already taken
by Brigadier- General Pillow. then in
command, 10 render our resistance 10 the
attack of the enemy as effective as posi-
bic. He had. with activity and indus
try, pushed forward the defensive works
toward completion. These dcfenses con-
sisted in an earthWork IN Fort DOneIson,
in which were mounted guns Of different
caliber 70 The number # thirteen; a field
Ho; X. intepGsi 70 t- &oIsry supports
ana constructed immediatefS behind the
battery aud upon the summit of the hill
in rear Sweeping away from this field
work eastward, to the extent of nearly
two miles in its windings, was a line of
intrenchments. defended on the outside.
at some points, with abattiS. These in
trenchments were occupied by the troops
already there, and by the addition of
those who came upon the field with me-
The position of the fort, which was es-
tablished by the Tennessee authorities,
was by ne means commanding. nor was
the least military significance attached
to the position The intrenchments ar-
terwards hastily made, in many places.
-. L.
of the distance they were placed from
the brow Of the hill, subjecting the men
to Z heavy fire from the cnemy's sharp
shooters opposite, as they advanced to or
retired from the entertainments. Soon
after my arrival the intrcnchments were
fully occupied from one end to the other.
and Just rs the sun rose the cannonadc
from one Of the encmy's gunboats an
nOunced The opening of the conflict
which was destined to continue for three
days and nights.
In a short time the fire became general
along orr whole lines, AMI the enemy.
VINO had already planted Batteries at
several points around the whole circuit
Of our entertainments as shown by dia-
gram herewith sent, opened general and
active fire from all arms upon our trenches
which continued until darkness put an
end TO the conflict They charged with
uncommon spirit at several points along
on the line, but most particularly at a
point uudcfcndcd by cntrenchmcn4s
down a hollow which separated the right
wing. under Brigadier- General Buckner
from the right of the center commanded
by Col. Holman. This charge was pros
ccuted with uncommon vigor. but was
met with determined spirit Of resist
ance, cool, deliberate courage both by
the troops of Brighten. Buchner and Col.
Heiman. which drove the enemy, dis
cOmfited and cut to pieces, back upon
the position he had assumed in the morn
ing. Too high praise cannot be bestow-
ed upon the battery of Capt. Porter for
their participation in the rOut of the en-
envy in this assault. My position was
Immediately in front of the point of at
tack. and l was thus enabled to witness
more distinctly the incidents of it.
The enemy continued their fire upon
different parts of our intrenchmcnts
throughout the night, which deprived
our men of every opportunity to sleep.
We lay that night upon our arms in the
trenches We confidently expected at
the dawn Of day more vigorus attack
than ever. But in this we were entirely
mistaken. The day advanced, and no
preparation seemed to be making for a
general onset. But an extremely annoy
ing fire was kept up from the enemv's
shaTpshOoters throughout the whole line
of the intrenchments. from their long
range rifles. While this mode of at
tack was not attended with and consid-
cradle loss, II nevertheless confined the
men to their trenches and prevented their
taking their usual rest. so stood the
affairs of the field until three clock P. Il.
when the feet Of gunbOatS in full force
advanced upon the fort and opened fire.
They advanced III the shape of q crescent,
and kept up = constant and incessant fire
for one hour and 4 half which was re-
piled to with uncommon spirit and yigOr
bv the - fort Once the boats reached
a point within one hundred yards of the
d" fort at which time it was that three of
their boats sustained serious injuries
from our batteries. and were compelled
to fall back The line was broken and
the enemy discOmlitcd on the wafer, Civ
ing up the fight entirely, which he never
afteLward renewed. | was satisfied from
the incidents of the last two days that
the enemy did not intend again TO give
us battle in our trenches. They had
been fairly repulsed, with very heavy
slaughter, upon effort to storm Our posi-
ton: and 1T was fair TO infer that they
would not again renew the unavailing at
tempt at our disIodgment, when certain
means TO effect the same end without loss
were perfectly at their command.
r 20 81. hot