The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-02-26
the Fight at DOneIson-Pnriicu-

this act
The Fight nj Doueison-Particu-
t h lars. A
tFFom the Correspondence OF the Missouri DEM
A ocrat
FoRT DoNELsoN, Monday Feb. IL.
TUE MOVEMENT FROM FONT HENRY.
Wednesday was quietly consumed in mo-
wing from Fort Henry, apd getting into posi-
ton before the rebels n mile and half from
the Cumberland and the fort against which
we were moving. 1t was most glorious
l day. The atmosphere was cool and invigor-
ating, yet with a bright sun and GENIAL breeze
waited up from the South, 1t seemed more
like day in May than one still in the winter
solstiee. Its effect upon our troops were
excellent. t 5ss
The army being we'll started, General
Grant and staff left their headquarters on the
steimer Uncle Sam, about ten O'Clock, and
followed rapidly after division which had
taken the ridge, or more soulherly route
The roads, after once getting beyond the
low grounds in the immediate vicinity Of the
Tort, were admirable. The sandy soil had
soon absorbed the great amount ot rain which
had fallen few evenings previously, and
which had so retarded the advance Of our
army on Fort Henry aud now fairly on the
high land, in antry, artillery and cavalry
moved forward without delay. al
FROM FORT HENRY To TIE ENEMY.
The route for the most part led along the
high land of the ridges, through dense!y
wooded country, with signs OF human hab.
ration, or even Of cultivation, but rarely Wis.
ible. | might here state that all the section
between Forts Henry and Donelson is Of this
character mere succession OF hills and
valleys, thickly wooded with oak and "sec~
ond undsrgr0th," and with here and there q
cluster Of pine groves, whose evergreens con-
trssted prettily with the barren vegetation
surrounding. The ridges vary from one
hundred to three hundred feet 10 height
Through most Of the valleys are pure streams
Of water, which, as they approach the Tenn
essee and Cumberland, to which they are
tributaries, gradually assume, on account Of
the back water from them, the magnitude OF
large streams, which in no small degree an
noyed our Generals in their maneuveiing oil
their commands. a"
I We pressed on amid the moving columns
which lined the road without any incident
|
when, emerging from the woods into little
cleared valley, we found Gen. McCleruand
and staff. Several regiments were drawn up
in line of battle order on our right, and
through the valley and up the ridge, in front
and to the northeast OF us, we could See the
cleaning o the bayonets ofOglesby's brigade
our advance.
| THE ENEMY.
Receiving information that the enemy had
been seen on the ridge in front of us, Gener
al Grant Immediately orde red the hills to be
occupied by our forces moving in line OF bat
tie order. 1t was fnanaly executed-the
men pushing forward with even front through
the brush, over brooks and fences, until the
desired point had been reached.
! In the meantime while this order was be-
ing carried out, sharp musketry firing was
heard mp the hill over which the road led,
and occupied by General Oglesby's Brigade.
1t was but brief however, and upon going
forward it was ascertained that small ad.
vance force of the enemy had been met by
the Eighth Illinois, under 1t. Col. Frank
Rhodes, and after slight skirmish, driven
back.
CAMP OF THE ENEMY DISCOVERED.
After considerable securing Of the woods
to the north, it was discovered that what
rebels were 10 be seen were on the road to
the front OF us. Our advance soon after dis.
covered their encampment on o barren hill
side, directly in front OF us, and on the main
road leading to the Cumberland. A further
movement on the part Of Gen. Og,esby's d.
visnn discovered more forces posted on a
high ridge leading west of this encampment,
and as our regiments swept around from
their respective positions on the road to the
right and left, and gradually coming round
With face to the north, there we we're face
to face with the enemy. This. however,
was not discovered instantly. The encamp-
ment of the enemy very naturally was the
chief attraction, and toward it, having got his
troops in proper position, Gen. Grant first
directed his attention.
i Bnt few troops were visible about it, and
at first it was difficult to to ascertain where
the rebel forces had been distributed. One
the IL pound rided James cannon OF Du-
pee's battery, was ordered to stir them up
little, but although he threw she'll with
such accuracy, not response could be got,
and were it not for indications of large force
posted on the ridge to the west OF the camp,
it would have seemed their chivalry had re.
peated their Fort Henry achievement, and
had decamped on our approach. Thus were
matters at half past three o'clock,P. NJ,
when Ogleby's brigade, which occupied the
road on the hill, were ordered to advance -
They filed down the hill, anticipating an
immediate opening OF the fight, with de-
termination and confidence most inspiriting
Some we're still smoking their pipes with
easy nonchalance, while all went forward
with spirit and will which we'll foreshad-
owed the gallant deeds subsequently, per-
formed by them. !.
1t was not until these movements had all
been executed thai it was at last discovered
that we were now directly in the face OF q
large BODY OF the enemy. Then it was as
certaned that we were not at the rear OF the
fort outside their redoubt and breastworks
extending either side on the SUBMITS oil the
ridges to the right and left Of US. BY this
time the day was nearly at an end.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
J The night was most supremely beautiful,
ard will probably be long remembered by
those who survived the terrible scenes sub
I sequently enacted amid the wilds OF the hills
surrounding. Our troops just now arrived
in lace OF the enemy and IN range OF theii
batteries, lay on their arms, with cheerful
Ianticipations OF the morrow. The evening all
was still mild and genial, and the bright
} moon shone forth equally beautiful ovel
friend and Zoe.
\ We're it not Tor the camp fires dimly visi
bic here and there, to the rear OF either force
} and the occasional crack of the rife Of some
} daring sharpshooter who had crept up under
the intrenchments to get q shot at some
: needless enemy. there was little to denote tt
a stranger, who might have accidently wan
dered to some Of the neighboring ridges, tha
t amid the hills and valleys surrounding, were
, $4,000 10000 men, only waiting for tht
! coming dawn to begin, what was destined tt
prove the bloodiest and most terrible conflic
D ever, witnessed on this continent.
TRUGsDAY's OPERATIONS. @
II Thursday opened as clear and serene al
0 the day before it. Upon the first coming 0
I the dawn our skirmishers had descended in
N a.. " q : ~ IN \