, 1862-03-27

~
Col. mcAfthur's Report.
The following has been handedin at rather
late day, but still it may be interesting to the
numerous friends Of the gallant Colonel:
HEADQUARTERS 1s7 BRIGADE, 2HD DIVISION
FORT DoSELsoH, Tenn, Feb. %, 1861.
Capt. Thos, j, Ncwshau, Asst Adi't. Gen.:
SIR: hare the honor to submit the follow
ing report Of the part performed by my Brig
ade during the late operations against Fort
Done1son:
LIST. My Brigade, consisting Of the 9th, 18th,
and 41st Illinois Regiments, left Fort Heinman,
Kentucky, on the morning Of February 18th,
bringing up the rear Of the troops that pre-
cceded from Fort Henry, and arriving about
three miles from our line Of operations at T.
II. Of that day, encamped, and at 1015 O'clock
that night, moved the Brigade mile and
half nearer the enemy, again encamping for
the remainder Of the night.
I'd. Under aims the next morning (the 1Sth)
by O'Clock, being ordered to hold ourselves
il reserve and also support the batteries Of Maj.
Cavender, then in position against the centre
of the eneuay's works. At T. NJ we moved
around to the left Of Gen. McCIernand's Di-
vision. That night d portion Of my command
threw up two small eaIthworks and placed in
them two 20.pounder and two 10pounderguns
respectively. These were designed to operate
against the left Of the e1emys centre, but, how
ever, were never used. Same night at 115s
O'Clock, moved the339th and 41st Regiments, by
Gen McClcrnand's $ order, about a1tArter Of a
mile nearer to bis Left, remaining under arms
all night without fire, in the midst Of q heavy
EnoW-storn.
Sd. 14th uunder arms awaiting orders until
| P. NJ, when we were ordered to occupy
| ground On the extreme right of our lines. Ar
rived at our new position little after dark,
| labout P. NJ having been hotly she1ed by
the enemy's batteries on the way. Encamped
| for The night without instructions, and, as ]
| regret to add, without adequate knowledge 0l
| the naaure OF the ground in front and on our
| right.
| enemy, who opened upon US heavy fire oi
musketry, at the Same time outtlanking us by
| our regiment OIL our right. We again moved
| towards thc right under heavy fire, and
| formed new line, thereby defeating for the
time tho enemy's object. This ground was
| steadily maintained until exposed TO flank
ing fire upon our right from fresh troops Of
the enemy. With a'scarcity Of ammunition in
large portion Of my line, deemed it my
duty to give the order to return, which was
executed steadily and in good order
at once formed new line about 800 yards
to the rear, supporting the troops on our left
and remaining there until the troops who hat
occupied our extreme right before our arriya
were forced to retire also, when I ordered m,
Brigade further to the rear withiu our lines
lthen cncampcd in close order and had th'
company rolls called and the men supplics
with food, they having had none for nearly 81
hours, as also ammunition to replace that ex
pended.
At4 r. M We were ordered to the extrem,
left Of our lines to support the troops at tha
place. The 18th Illinois remained under arm
that night III support Of the batteries PLACED
in the redoubt taken By assault the preyiou!
afternoon.
| 10th, Sunday morning, the enemy hayin!