The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-03-05
SIEGE or FORT DONELsON.
OmciaI Report OF Gen. U. s.
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Odciai Report Of Gen. U. 8.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIE1p,l
FoRr DoNELsQN. Feb. le, 1862. {
Gen. O. W. Cuilun,, Chief Of Stef, Depart
maa Of tie Missouri. si.. .li
GENERAL:-I am pleased 10 announce TO
you the unconditional surrender this morning
Of Fort Donelson, with twelve TO fifteen
thousand prisoners, at least forty pieces OF
artillery, and large amount OF stores, horses
mules and other public property. lleft Fort
Henry on the 12th instant, with q force oil
fifteen thousand men. divided into two d.
Visions under the commands Of Generals
McClernand and Smith. Six regiments were
sent around by water the day before, con-
veyed by gunboat, or rather started one
day later than one Of the gunboats, and with
instructions not to pass II.
The troops made the march in good order,
the head Of the column arriving within two
miles OF tn, Fort at IL O'Clock NJ. AT this
point the enemy's pickets were met and driv
en- in. -
The fortifications of the enemy were from
this point gradually approached and surroun-
; ded with occasional skirmishing on the line.
The following day. owing to the non arrival
of the gnnboats and reinforcements sent by
water, no attack was made, but the invest
ment was extended on the hanks OF the ene-
my and drawn closer to his works, with
skirmishing all day. The evening Of the 18th
the gunboats and reinorcements arrived -
On the 14th gallant attack was made by
Flag Officer Foote upon the enemy's works
with his fleet. The engagement lasted prob
ably one hour and half, and bid fair to re-
suit favorably to the cause the Union,
when two dnlucky shots disabled two Of the
armed boats SO that they were carried back
by the current. The remaining two were
very much disabled also, having received a
number Of heavy shots about the pilot. house
and other parts ofthe vessels.
After these mishaps concluded to make
the investment OF Fort Donelson as perfect
as possible. and partially fortiy and awe it
repairs to the gunboats. This plan was
frustrated, however, by the enemy making
a most vigorous attack upon out right wing,
commanded by Gen. j. A. McClernand, with
portion Of the force under Gen. l.. Wallace
The enemy were repelled after closely con-
tested battle ofseveral hours, in which our
loss was heavy. The officers, and particu-
larly field afficerF, suffered out proportion.
have not the means of yet determining our
loss even approximately, bnt il cannot fall
short oftwelve hundred killed, wounded and
missing.
OF the latter, I understand through Gen.
Buckner, abont two hundred and fifty were
taken prisoners. shall retain enough OF the
aua,nx, 10 avobnnSa f,r tkau, ac fha, xr-nra
Immediately shipped off and not left for re-
capture. About the close OF this action The
ammunition in cartridge boxes gave out,
which, with the loss OF many Of the field Off
GERS, produced great confusion in the ranks.
! Seeing that the enemy did not take advan-
tage Oft, convinced me that equal con non,
and possibly great decentralization, existed
with him. Taking advantage Of this fact.
order charge npon t1e left encmy's right,
with the division under Gen. G. f. Smith,
which was most brilliantly executed, and
gave to our arms full assurance OF victory. -
The battle lasted until dark, giving us poses.
sion OF part Of their entrenchments. An at
tack was ordered from the other flank, after
the charge OF Gen. Smith was commenced,
DO the divisions under Generals McCernand
and Wallace, which notwithstanding the
hours OF exposure to heavy fire in the fore
part Of the day, was gallantly made, and the
enemy further repulsed. At the points thus
gained, night having come on, all the troops
encamped for the night feeling that a COM
plete victory wonld crown their lators at
an early hour in the morning.
This morning at at a very early hour
note was received from Gen. s. B. Buckner,
under flag Of truce, proposing an armistice.
etc. A copy Of the correspondence which
ensued is herewith accompanying
cannot mention individuals who especial
ly distinguished themselves, but leave that
to division and brigade commanders, whose
reports will be forwarded as soon as received.
To division commanders, however, Gener.
ais McClernand, Smith and Wallace must
do the justice 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 themselves.
At the hour the attack was made on Gen.
McCernand's command was absent. hav-
ing received note from Flag Officer Foote.
requesting mo to go See him, he being unable
to call in consequence Of wound received
the day before.
My personal Staff. Col. J. T. Webster,
Chief Of Staff, Col. j. Riggin, Jr.. volunteer
aid; Capt. J. A. Rawlings, A. A. General;
Captains c. Is. Lagow and w. s. Hillyer,
aids, and Lieut.. Col. j. B. Mcpherson. Chief
Engineer-all are deserving Of personal men,
tion for their gsllantry and services.
For full details see reports Of Engineers,
Medical Director and commanders of brig.
AIDES and divisions, to follow.
lam, General, very respectfully, your obe
dient servant,
U. s. GRANT. Brigadier General.