The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-16
Details Of the Rspulse Of the Rebels
Under Generals Wheeler -
and Forrest.
Brilliant Conduct Of Six Hundred Raw
Illinois Union Troops.
opportune Arrival Of tho Gun
boat Fleet.
PANIC AND FLIGHT OF THE ENEMY,
49, h.. ~.
Our Special Oerrespondence.


PApucAH. KY, Feb. ., 1858.
From some reason or other best known 70 themselves
tho professional score OF which
tho army q Gsnera Grant b now besssd-were none OF
then present as the late battle Fort Doneson. They
had other matters 70 attend toand perhaps more i'm
porant matters in their estimation. But the public has
10 long bsen she hsbt Of having tne accounts Of all
that ansprss that feels last when loft TO depend upon
tho msase particulars Afforded by the telegraph Thus
far the telegraph has been the sole and only chroncer OF
tho second battle OF Fort Donelson. Knowing these
facts. and thinking that perhaps late &C
count would serve where carly ono
could not bs had. your correspondent left
his snug quarters Cincinnati the other day, and
after enjoying the luxury Of protracted ride and some
snow some ran and great deal Of mud. arrived this
morning q Padusah. Hero have accidentally met an
oosr tho navy who witnessed and participated in the
conclusion Of tho sight, and who. from observation and
conversation With general officers enabled 10 give mo
toerabiy correct and connected narrative OF tho affair."
battle whore hundred rebels were slain In which
fort was defended for six hours against seven thousand
rebel troops by force Of less hundred federas
should pass unrecorded Tho future historian,
other inquring individual, will demand thus much Of
Tux ArrxARANcs0F rnH EzEMY.
It was early upon the Sd Of February that inorma
tQn was brought Fort Donels0n TO the commander VI
tho post, Colonel Harding OF the Eghtyt Illinois
regiment that force OF rebes had been discovered not
informstion was directly teegraphod 70 Colonel Love-
commanding The three FORTS Holman, oneson and Henry
bis being at tho latter Place and ms advice
The force Of the enemy and their Intentions
This done. despatch was sent about noon telling
Colonel Low that the rebels numbered seven thousand
had several guns and they coming 70 capture the
fort Indeod the h0uso OF widow lady by the name
OF McGhse, where Generals Wheeler and Forrest had
passed the previous night, they had made their boasts
that tho setting OF another Fort lonelson would
be their poss, ssion When the widow complained that
hAr Aaotr0 al haP
furniture and drtcd her house 1hssS gallant gentlemen
retorted that the day she could TO the tort
stored from the fun storos Of the L.acolnss When the
sans officers late that night returned the same way in
quick haste, the widow lady asked them:-WLat about
her pay: whether they going ~ remain ut DOne
son." &C., &c They CURLY answered that matters Asd
changed sogsv bit since Leg !ne{ saw hsr : End syl
widow babe them q too willing sdteu. They went on
their way rejoicing bat rather tho opposite, cursng
The intention Of the rebels 10 take possession Of tho
fort hold and at once put an end TO the transportation
H5 a force apd quits
fee Of steamers even then on thor up the
and that unless they performed their task quickly they
would not enabled TO complete II at all. Honce they
moved rapidly down the devoted but not entirely
unprepared garrison They had not this least idea that
the possession Of the tort longer than TO make =
decent show OF defence. Judging from tho exam
Arkansas Post, they should no. have boon q
very long time IN reoccupyirg Donelson But Colonel
Harding was in command there a' Was backed oy about
Floods battery. Tho men Of the have nevor
been In battle but they made Of tbs stun that
sston q their STATE and tho name Of Illinois vountesrs
IL was not until twoP w. that the rebels nude their
n.or time Colonel Harding had asked Colonel lowe
TO send him achievements That oncer autographed
sG5a h 1Se
the fort until dark that evening aid could have mo 70
get there. The kind Of aid was not specified Colonel
I'D harL hat ha hnlA
Donelson until night" sA
shortly after when the rebels revealed their
force and planted their batteries the
fort Colonel Harding received their preparati with
certain his ability hold long against such
overwhelming numbers. Not word but Of encourage
ment did he address to his bravo companions in
The OF size that could BIO brought to bear
upon the enemy aside from Floods battery iron
thirty Founders pivot gun his quickly turned
about and the rst gun from the defenders OF the
fort The charge produced great havoc and confusion
among the rebels They had calculated that ali the long
range guns were s.a.ionary' an, and r hence could
the only in which they deceived,
the sequel will show. Finding that it would not do
TO many men at one point, the rebel lead
dispersed their brgades ia sections and the infantry
under the fire OF their batteries, made simultaneous
menis with great mpe,uosty They faced our bayone 5
brayey. they poured the contents OF their small
upon the devoted but determined inside but all
purpose Having economy of ammnnition-of which
material OF Colonel Harding knew he had but small
supply-in view orders given to fire, and
the rebels thought they TO have attempt
defence they cambered up the embellishments aud de.
lvercd their voIleys with sure eject Floods battery
also waited. when the enemy had masscd pretty good
force word passed and both battery and infantry
poured ia upon them most scathing and bitter fire. 1t
was too much for them They wavered fred few shots
aud retired The aim Of Colonel Harding men was az
ceent proven the ensuing day when many the
dead picked up were found TO have boon hit the head
and breast.
ruE BATrIL CONTINUED
II will he recolleced thai the battle commenced 1t two
O'Clock To the mind OF Cot Harding appeared
erminaby long time from that hour until night. Could
ne hold out? Could he successfully repel the assaults
:. nm :. on a ana ~ case ne could
whence Il 10 Gomez These matters passed rapidly
through the oicor's mind HIS resolution mistaken
He had said that he would hold out and he the
10 break his word, passed. "It must-t shall
be done" was the mental observation We shall how
that wilihat courage under difcultes-supported BY
as cool and brave q set Of ever fsesd an enc
my-carried Col Harding through that dreadful trial
Again was detsrrinsd charge made upon The RANTS
anron hail Of sod shot and sheh Once more the on
fcderas stood their ground More this they 70.
pulsed the the point Of the and then from
The top Of the works sent down upon them shower Of
ride bullets that they could not stand They rctreased
second time with many lost IN killed and wounded.
Meantime the heavy gun WAS pouring death and dcssruc
Der--thc rebels charging and being repused charging
again and being repused sgainhe afternoon away
aud 50 did Colonel Hardings supply q ammunition The
They nearer They rushed in s-rricd upon
the works but st the Eighty second quite out OF
cartridges had few more left, and their courage un
diminished Again, but with q certain ianguor they
quick TO perceive the rebels driven on.
Finally by movement which could not be prevented
the pcbc surrounded the fort all Sides excepting the
river front This was observed BY Colonel Harding yet
he did not falter
FLAGS TRUCE
At this iuncture nag Of truce was sent by Cenern
wheeler the rebel force demand surrender or the
place. Colonel Harding returned answer thai he had
mot time 10 attend 70 surrcnderng fortshs business
10 hold them The party lcft and the attack was
renewed with rcdoubled fury. few rebels rusheu over
and into the works. but In = hand 70 hand contest
they were . quickly hurled hack among their
comradcs Presently another flag u truce came
out and the firing for the nonce uN stillcd
This time General Wheeler came 10 Colonel Harding
In person He said imp ssibe for the fedsra,s 10
hold much longsr and be desired avoid boodshed
both sides Col. Harding was still unconquered and
refused 10 surrender.
But said Gen. Wheeler, you win soon have N
give upl am going TO compel you 10 do So You have
not half my force yet. viii you surrender now
will you be annlhilateds'
The General was evidently very much in earnest. A.
though time might be gained by bandying words Col
Harding did not like the company dcte ned TO be