Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-02-22
L. 5. FLAG'SHlr ST LOUIS,
MAN FORT DoNELsoN
VIA PApucAn, Feb. IL. 1862.

Gideon Weiies. Secretary Of tie Navy -
| made an attack on Fort DuDpsun, ypster.
day at 3 O'Clock. L. Nj. with four iron claG
gnubuats and two wooden ones, and after ore
hour and quarter severe lighting. the latter
part of the day, within less than Tour hundred
yards Of the fOtt, the wheel Of this vessel aud
The tiiier OF the Louisville were shot away
rendering tho two boats unmnnngesble.
They then driiled down the river. The
two remaining boats were greatly damaged
bet ween who'd end water. This vessel alone
received Gily nine shots ard the others about
half that uumber each There were ifty'four
killed and wounded in this attack, which we
have received to suppose woaid in fifteen
minutes more could tue action have been
continued, have resulted in the capture OF the
fort bearing upou us, as the enemy was run
ming from his batteries when The two guu5Oals
ilO.tod helplessly du~n the river from the
disabled steering apparatos, ss the relieving
tackles could not steer the vessel. when the
H-eIGg enemy returned to the river battery
guns from which they had been driven, and
again ho,ly poured their fire uIon US.
The enemy mnst have brought over twenty
guas to bear upon our boats irom the water
battery and the main fort On the hill, while
could only return the fire with twelve of the
guns abonrd the Carondolet burst dnring the
action. The officers and men in this hoty
contested bot unequal fight behaved with the
greatest caiiunlry aud determinGtion all Dc
ploring the accident winch rendered two Of
our gunboats Suddenly helpless in the narrow
river and swift current.
On consultation with Gen. Grant and my
own officers, as my services here, until we cun
repair damages by bringing up competent
force from Cairo To attack be fort, are much
less required than they are al Cairo, | shall
proceed TO that place.
have sent the Tyler up the Tennessee
river TO reuder the railroad bridge impassa
be.
(Sipued) A II. FoorE,
Fmg'Oilicer Commanding the Naval Force
Western Division.
! FURTHER PARTICULARS LAND
ATTACK.
ST. LouIs, Feb lG.
! a special despatch to the Democrat, dated
! in the rear Of Fort Dopelson, Friday Z. n.
/ says:-
Last eight vas very severe on our troops
rain having set in which turned to snow anI
. II is freezing to-day, and old citizens say tba
they rarely baVe such cold weather in thi
. latitude.
The more ! see Of the fort, the NOR
convinced am that it cuOuot be reduced
without terrible battle. lis rear seem
almost impreenab!e. The outer works ant
bas,ions OF the Tort are located on ridges on
hundred aud fifty 10 two hundred aud fil
feet high, coYered with dense timber nut
nndergrow,h, upon q similar roGge Of hill
outside Of these our army is drawn up 10 In
OF battle, completely encircliug the enem
from the Cumberland sonth Of the fort TO th
back water of q stream which lauks the for
on the north.
General 0gips5y. who has the ex.rem
right list nigh, pushed forward his bGiead
10 the Cumberland, aud has plaute1 batter
commanding the river. which will ehrCludli
prevent the arrival of any more reu!orct
meRts, In fact We have completely sui
rounded ii, and eau complete the job at ou
I leisure.
a formidable attsmpt was made last ngl
TO tnke ryler's battery by The enemy. wh
arpgnacbed under cover Of the darkness, bt
they we're galautiy repuIsed by the Twentiet
Illinois.