The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-25
BATTLE OF FORT DoNELsoN.

When paper went to press last week the news
from Fort DOnelson was cheering. Up to Saturday
night the 18TH the Conederates had successfully
sisted the attacks of the Federas But after paper
was published received that the Fort had
surrendered Sunday, and various the reports
concerning defeat. At first it stated that the
enemy captured 900 prisoners, together with Gems
Pillow Buckner, Floyd and Johnston, and that the city
of Nashville also in possession of the enemy. The
next news coutradcted all this except the fall of Fort
Donelson and the loss of fifteen hundred men-Gen's
Pillow, Buckner and Floyd escaping with OF their
men, and it stated they would make stand at
Nashville. Gen. A. Sydney Johnston not in the
fgbt Matters stood in this way until Friday morning,
when it again reported that Nashville had been
captured, and again contradicted
The following account of the fight is published
the authority of Lieutenant of Mississippi Regiment
who says he ia the battle;
HWhen the enemy opened fire the Fort force
numbered I3 TO l. 5000, embracing one two Reg-
uents of cavalry aud four field batteries On Wedne<
DAY morning l0thi the enenys sharp>shooters opened
fire in connection with their artillery and continued
through the day Thursday and Friday they continued
to fire, but there little loss on either side On Fri
day the gun boats opened tremendous fire and the
Fort replied, which continued without mtermission
throughout the day. On Saturday morning the Con-
federae ARM ordered OUT at o'clock and formed
in line of battle. 4 great battle ensued. and took
u and two three hundred prisoners. The
latter not rccaptured Our success continued
uninterrupted through the day One OF the prisoners
reported the Fcderas SO strong and that
they had been reinforced with 10000. On the strength
OF this report Gen. Buckner raised a white flag and
proposed capiIuIate, but the fighting resumed
it supposed terms were not accepted. Our loss
in killed Is estimated at from three to five hundred,
wounded II to 1900, who removed rOr the Fort.
The reported capture by the enemy of prisoners
Is believed many escaped from the Fort during
Saturday night under of the darkness. Iu this
way nearly third of FIoyd's brigade escaped The
enemy Ought very desperately. During the battle
there Il heavy fall of snow and sleet."
The latest Northern accounts of the battle at Fort
Donelson admit that the Federal army terribly cut
TO pieces The dead lay in heaps and the of
battle beegars description. 1t dearly-bOught
victory Companies deprived of their officers
and officers their companies The dead were thick
" strewn across the field. The Confederates fought
with fearful effect.
AUGUSTA. Feb 2O.-The Atlanta Confcderacy, of this
morning, says that dispatches from reliable
that Generals Johnston Buckuer, Pillow and
Floyd arr in Nashville, making preparations
the enemy. Buckners forces cut off on Sunday,
but nearly all fought their way out and made their
way through the hills to Nashville. The enemy
are in possession of Fort Donelson.
The total Confederate loss in the fort 500.
The Federal loss was about 5000
The latest news from Tennessee justfes a statement
of the affair i'll this way: Fort Donelson capitulated
on Sunday morning the 10th; Gems. Floyd and Pillow
with three thousand men escaped; Gen.
Buckner and twelve thousand men surrendered.
Our loss in killed and wounded is stated 500; the
enemy lost in killed and wounded 1900. After the
fall of Fort DOnelson the city of Nashville
ated by soldiers of the citizens:
removed, the Legislature removed TO Mem
phis merchants closed their stores, and the city
left be taken by the enemy whenever they chose
do The Confederate army has been concentrated
in the neighborhood of Nashville somewhere At the
latest advceS the FederalS had entered Nashville
but it was thought they would take possession yeSter
lnV