Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-18

Sen. WheeIer's Last Expedition - Fight
re DOnetson-CaPtHre Of Prisoners, ar
tiilerys etc
Correspondence Of The Rebel Bannerl
NEAR CHARLOTTE, Eel. I've arc just re-.
turning from aaothor expedition down the Cum
beFland river, but as the mercury stads 5 deg.
Fahrenheit, you cannot expect a very lengthy
or interesting account of It. AT 3 e'eisck P. n !,
on the Sd. We came in the vicinity of Fort Don
elson, and upon inquiry, citizens informed us
thst the force was not vary large, and had no
Notifications, whefeupon it was concluded to
attack the psint Accordingly, General For
rest. with three OF four handred men on the
right, aud General Wharton, with abou the
same number on the left, commenced the fight,
which lasted with much yigof for two or three
hours. 1t was but the work of q moment to
capture a part and drive the remainder Of the
several companies which were posted outside
the fortiieations. Right 5rRvelY did our bows
move up to their work-Genersl Forrest charg-
ing once on horseback and once on foot-but so
strongly entrenched were the Yankees in their
Publications and rife pits, that he retired, al
though lie had succeeded in entering the streets
Of the own General Wharton, with his com
mand, had succeeded in getting into the town on
the left, next to the river, after having captured
quite g number Of prisoners, small arms, and a
very superior l2-pound hTass rihed piece with
It's eaisson, horses and ammunition. Thus we
drove thsm into q small spacs, but from their
nile pits and the windows of the houses they
poured a very heavy fire upon us, which / am
happy to say was not very disastrous to us.
Night was upon us, and the broad silver moon
gave Us her cheering light by which to continue
the attsck-but finding our artillery ammuni-
ton nearly expended, and that Of tie small arms
steadily decreasing, it was determined to retire
Just then information reached US that reinforce
msnts were coming from Fort Henry, and we
distinctly heard the shouts OF these who were
coming up and down on the gunboats. All
these concurrent circumstances combined to IN
duce US to retire. Before our rear had left the
old for ifeations, the g~unbosts began q most ia.
rious shelling, which continued during nearly
the entire night Ia summing up the results Of
the day, we have much 70 be proud of, for seldom
were more gsllaatTy and trUe bravery ex-
hibited than on this occasion. General
Forrest is one of the bTayest men in any
nation. General Wharton has all the FIRE
of q Scipio, and the Little Hero, as usual,
was almost ubiquitous, directing each move
ment, and from time to time appearing in the
midst Of the hottest FIRE to chase on the brave
and stimulate the tagging. We would have
been glad TO have taken the garrison, bat 1900
meni in rife pits, with a fine battery Of artillery,
was rather heavy for cavalry, but the expedi
ton resulted in the capture OF nearly a hundred
prisoners. among whom were five commissioned
officers, and a number of wagons, smbu-
l%ancas. small arms, and fine brass Tided piece.
Besides this, we burned a fine tow-boat loaded
with ~pHovender. 1 cannot stop now TO give an
account Of the individual acts of gallantry on
the part of officers and men but suffice it to
say that numerous promotions viii be the
result of that days labor. The enemy are be-
lieved 10 be in possession Of Franklin several
Thousand strong. SRMPRoNIUs.