The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-03-05
The Battle Of Fort Donelson-Full Par.
ticulars from Partioipaut.

| tapt Samuel W. Lyon, OF tonhoma coun-
ty, Mississippi, who was in the battle Of
Fort Donelson throughout the engagement,
acting aid to Col. Forrest, escaped with
Gems Floyd and Pillow on the 10Th instant
to Nashville, and arrived in Memphis night
before last. We obtain from him the fol-
lowing statement of facts.
sKIRMIsHIYG COMMENCED.
The first symptoms of fighting com.
menc.d on Wednesday, the 10Th inst, when
skirmishing was KEEP, up between our pick
cts und those of TIE enemy nearly all day
long. The same occurred on Thursday,
the 18th inst The gunboats in the mean.
while appeared below the Fort on the Cum.
berIand, about TWO miles distant, throwing
few shells with the view Of making n re.
coan"lsance. Our guns responded TO them
in several we'll aimed shots.
THE FIRST DAYS BATTLE.
Friday, the l4lh, about noon, the enemy
commenced n vigorous assault on our RIGHT
wing, with heavy force, and were driven
backby only five hundred Of our men, who
entertainments. The fight lasted over two
hours, our loss not being more than six or
eight killed and as many wounded. A let.
ter exhibited to us by Cap min Lyon, which
was found upon the dead body Of one of
the Illinois soldiers the following day,
thus nllud,s 10 it "On Friday, the Sd Fed.
eral brigade made an unsuccessful attack
about II o'clock on the enemy's right, and
were repulsed with loss of sixty or sew.
cn'y men The letter is signed r Ii. Grif
nth, and stated further tha, the battle would
be renewed the following day In this
days contest Col. Forests battalion of
cavalry made several brilliant CHARGES. and
deported themselves bravely.
THE GUSBoATs APPEAR
Simultaneous with the land attack, the
gunbonts (six in number) approached with.
in three hundred yards of the fort and
opened FIRE -Four Of them with the FLAG
boat, appeared abreast in front and the 9th
ers immediately behind. The fort replied
brIskly, and our informant says, there was
opposing guns for full two hours. A shot
from one hundred and twenty eight pound
gun struck one Of the boats and nearly
capsized her, turning her up at nm angle
with the water of forty five degrees. This
boat Immediately fell back, ana is alleged
to have been sunk. Two others were bad
ly disabled, being shot through and through
from one side 10 another. The mos, use
ful and effective portion of the forts arm,.
ment were n one hundred and twenty eight
ponnder, sixty.four pound smooth bore.
and thirty two FOUNDER nlsd-nll of
which were handled well by our artillery.
men. The fight ceased at three o'clock,
with loss Of only three men wounded in
the fort.
THE LAST DAYS BATTLE.
The last DAYS battle occurred on Sotur.
day, the 18TH inst, and not on Sunday. rs is
usually supposed. The whole Confederate.
force at Fort Don-lson on that day wa.
$4,000 men-the enemy's was estimated at
10000.
THE RoUr OF THE ENEMY
The n ght commenced at six o'clock, n. NJ.
by ri attack on our side, upon the enemy.
right wing A part of Gen Clnrke's Brig
ade OF Mi.si-sppIanI, under Gen. Pillow,
composed Of some Of the best fighting ma.
terial in the South, led the assault, and
steadily advancing drove back the snemy's
ar thap
terrible slaughter and destruction into his
ranks. This movement, executed by about
5000 men, successfully turned the enemy's
right flank, at least 90, 900 strong, and they
were routed and driven bnck in confusion
Our forces were recalled from the pursuit
OF the foe about noon
Four full batteries were taken by our
men, among which were two celebrated ri
fled steel gins, Of heavy calitre. and lorp
range, ~hirh hnd, up to the time Of their
capture, inflicted more damage upon the
c. nfederates than all the other artillery to.
gether.
THE SECOND RErULsE.
Up to noon Of this day (Saturday) after
the first repulse, we were certain Of veto.
ry, and the cavalry received orders to 20 TO
the field and gather up the wounded, the
arms, knapsacks, &c , that had been left be-
hind in the route and flight Of the enemy.
The enemy, in the meanwhile, sent flag OF
truce, asking permission 10 gather their
dead, which was granted. At the time they
were performing this duty, the Federal
troops perfduonsly opened fire from the
point to which they had been pursued, and |
being largely rein forced, rapidly recovered
the ground from which they were driven
few hours previous.
As they advanced an order was given for
our men to fall back to their breastworks,
rifle pits, and redans, which they did with
despatch. Col Heads Tennessee regiment
which was left during portion OF the fight
to do the duty OF three regiments, were at