Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-24
General Grants official Report of the
Battle OF Port DoncIson-Uis Con-
gratuistory ORDER tn Ills soldiers.

HKApQukErfrs ARNS ~ THE FIE1Dl
Fds Donel son, Tenn. Feb l6, 1862. I
Geaeral O. ". Cslum. Chef Of Stat. Dssrt-
AeHf n -hissoHrs:
Sin: lam pleased to announce 10 YOU tue an
conditional surrender this morning of Fort Don
esOn with twelve TO fifteen Thousand prisoners, At
least forty pieces OF artillery and large amount
OF stores, horses. mules and other public prop
eTty. ZU~l ~ fHf RHH
left Fort Henry on the 18th inst, with a
lsEse force OF about fifteen thousand men. III
vIted INTO two divisions, under command of Gen.
hcClernaud and Zen. Smith. SIX regiments
were cent around bs water the day before, con
teyedD y a gunboat. OF rather started oneday Ia
ter than of the gunboats, aud with irstrnc
tons not To pass il. e.,a rr.n
The troops made the march in good order, the
lead of the column arriving within two miles of
the fort at IL O'Clock NJ. At this point the enc
my's pickets were met and driven In.
The Notifications OF the enemy we're from this
point gradually approached and surrounded with
occasional skirmishing on the line
The following day, owing to the non arrival of
the guuboats aud reinforcements sent by water.
DO attack was made, but the Investment was ex-
tendedon the TANKS of the enemy, and drawn
closer 10 his works with skirmishing all day
The evening Of the 18Th, the gunboats and re
Inducements arrived.
Va Nut lftti dttdtNh was uidGt ~ Ha-
officer Foote upon the enemy's works with his
fleet. The engagement lasted probably one hour
and half, and bid fair TO result favorably TO the
cause of the Union, when two unlucky shots dis
abled two Of the gunboats 50 that they were car
ried back bay the current
The remaining two we're very much disabled
also, having received number of heavy shots
about the pilot houses and other parts OF the
vessels. After these mi.lraps, / concluded to
10 g IN.
feet as possible and partially fortify and make
repairs to tie gunboats. This plan was frus
trated however, by the enemy making most
vigorous attack upon Onr right wing. commanded
by Gen. j. A. McClernand, with portion Of the
force under Gen l.. Wallace The enemy were
repealed alter closely contested battle OF sew
ersii hours, In which our loss was heavy The
officers, and particularly field officers, suffered
out OF proportion. have not the means yet OF
determining our loss even approximately, but it
cannot fall far short of 300 killed, wounded
and missing. OF the latter, understand through
Gen Bucker, about 300 were taken prisoners. |
shall retain enough Of the enemy to exchange
for them. as they we're Immediately shipped off
aud not lett Tor recaptufe. About the close OF
this action the ammunition in the cartridge boxes
gave out, which, with the loss OF many of the
field officers. produced great confusion in the
ranks Seeing the enemy did not take advantage
of this fact ordered charge upon the LETT
enemy's rieht-with the division of Gen c. F.
Smith, which most brilliantly executed and
gave TO our arms full assurance OF victory.
The battle lastel until dark giving us posses
sion of part of their intrenchnlents. An attack
was ordered from the other flanks after the
Charge by Gen. Smith. which was made by the
divisions under Gems. McCernand and Wallace,
which. notwithstanding the hours of exposure to
heavy fire in tile fore part Of the day. was gal
lantly made aud the enemy further repulsed.
At the points thus gained, night having come on,
all the troops encamped for the night, feeling
that complete victory would crown their labors
at an early hour in the morning.
This morning at an early hour Gen. 5. b.
Buckner under a flag of truce, proposed an ar
nistice Sc. 4 copy of the correspondence which
ensued Is herewith accompanying. | can not
mention individuals who especially distinguished
themselves but will leave that TO division and
brigade officers, whose repert will be forwarded
a. soon as received To division commanders.
how ever-Gener McCIernand Smith and Wal
lace--l must do the justide to say that each of
them were with their commands in the midst of
danger, and were always ready to execute all
orders. no matter what the exposure TO them
selves.
AT the time the attack made Gen. Nc
ClerTmnd's command was absent, having re
ceved note from Flag Officer Foote request
ing go and him, he being unable to
call.
Ny personal staff. Col. J ID. Webster, Chief of
Staff Col j. Reggin, ,Jr., volunteer, and Capt.
j. 4. RawlinS, "A. A General, Capts G. Il. Lo-
gan and W ). HiIlyer. Aids, and Lieut. Col. V.
b. Mcpherson, Chief Engineer, all are deserving
OF personal mention for their galantry anu ser
vice.
For full details and reports of Engineers, Med
ical Directors and Commanders OF Brlgades and
Divisions to iallow.
am. General, very respectfully, your obed
ent servant. ffaw faH frrrf
L. s. GRANT. Brigadier General.