The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-19

FORTS hklMAN, HENRY AND DoAELsoNif
February g., 1868.
Ipropose giving you brief account of
the most remarkable engagement which
has occurred during this war against re-
bellion. Indeed, | can call to mind no
parallel in the history Of any war, every
thing included.
On Tuesday, the Sd inst, a rebel force
Of IRON 5000 to 1000, under command
of Major General Wheeler, Brigadier
Generals Forrest and Wharton, made an
attack on Fort Donelson, which place was
garrisoned by the SD Illinois Infantry,
Floods battery Of four guns, and Que
company OF the 9th 10 wa Cavalry. The
maximum number Of effective Union
troops there did not exceed seven hum
bred. This is an over rather than an IN
der estimate.
A little before one o'clock F. M. the
enemy drove in our pickots and appear
ed ia force, occupying the hills TO the
right, left and centre Of our camp In
deed, thy had our gallant boys COM
pletely surrounded, as the Cumberland
River swept along their rear, and the
right and left wings of the rebel line Of
battle--which formed a crescent rest
ed upon it, both above and below our po-
sition. While the rebs were still form
ing their lines, flag of truce was sent
in by General Wheeler, with this mes
sage to Colonel Harding; "Sir; am au
thorized TO demand the immediate and
unconditional surrender Of this place, or
you must take the consequences" The
reply of Colonel Harding is worthy the
heart of a brave patriot, lie said: I'll
take the consequences"
The enemy Immediately opened fire
from eleven guns upon our right, center,
and left, raining shot, she'll and grape in
to our camp Their batteries were strong
ly supported by dismounied cavalry. To
reply TO these batteries our men had only
four field pieces aud one siege gun. The
latter they had, with great labor, brought
up from the old fort, one and half miles
below their encampment and mounted in
the center of the town where the court
house stood, which was burned on the
25th of August last, when Col. Wood
wards guerrilla regiment attacked that
post, and was so gallantly repulsed by
four companies Of the 7lst Ohio.
The left wingof the rebel army APP
preached Donelson on the Fort Henry
Road, and was under the immediate COM
mand of General Wheeler. To oppose
this formidable force of not less than
1000 men and two batteries, three com
panies of the SD Illinois and three
pieces of Floods battery, all under com
mand Of Lieutenant Colonel a. A. Smith,
were posted on a hill West of the camp,
and distant about three hundred yards.
On this devoted band of heroes the FIRE
of the enemy's two batteries, one of
which was not TO exceed three hundred
yards distant, was concentrated. Brave
ly did the artillerists, under command of
Second Lieutenant Mclntire, handle their
three guns, not yielding an inch until
their ammunition was entirely exhausted,
most of their horses killed or disabled,
and two of their comrades lay dead and
number wounded. Nobly did the
three companies of infantry support the
battery, delivering their fire with cool 4.
ness, and with terrible effect. They
yielded their position only when pressed
back by overwhelming numbers; and even
then they stubbornly contested every
foot Of ground. Finally, sheltering
themselves in ravine, and in some adj
jacent buildings, these companies pour
ed continuous and deadly fire into the
rebel ranks, holding them in complete
check.
While the events above stated were
progressing in what may be called the
right wing of our defense, the left and
center, under command of Colonel Hard
ingsand Major Brett, were hOtly engaged
with the forces under command of Gems.
Forrest and Wharton. The rebels made
two determined charges, rushing with
hideous yells right up to the breastworks,
and 20 the very mouth Of battery Of one
gun, under command Of First Lieutenant
Moore, who fell at his post mortally
wounded AT each of these charges he
were calamity repulsed with fearful
slaughter. About simultaneous with the
three last onslaughts, General Forrest, at
the head of about 500 cavalry made o
desperate charge upon the seige- gun,
rushing up 10 within ten feet Of its muz
zle, but was met with so well directed
fire that his men were thrown into The
widest confusion. Our infantry support
ing the gun, taking advantage of this
charged upon them, and captured over
forty prisoners.
The fight continued until eight o. clock
in the evening. The artillery ceased
firing about half past four p NJ, for want
Of ammunition, and about half an hour
thereafter the enemy's also ceased, il is
/ .r...,.....I IL
thai time on TO the close, the infantry
kept il up.
AZ eight o'clock another flag was sent
In by General Wheeler, demanding a
second time the surrender Of the post.
II was replied TO by Colonel Harding,
about as follows; II have no idea of
surrendering | can't do IL; for am
under command Of Colonel Lowe, and
no has telegraphed me not 10 surrender.
believe l am not under command OF
General Wheeler" just after the Gag OF
truce had Withdrawn, some gunboals,
| passing up the Cumberland River for a
special purpose, arrived, and opened fire
upon the enemy. They did not wait
| long 10 ascertain what new force was
hurting death among them, but instantly
commenced a precipitaie retreat
As soon as il was ascertained that the
enemy were about attacking the post in
force, Colonel Harding ielegraphod Coll
onel Lowe for help. lie promptly, "a
his wont, responded, by sending for
ward the 18Th Wisconsin, three compa-
MES Of tho list Ohio, under Major Hart,
a battalion Of the 9th Ohio Cavalry, an
der Major Bracket, and Captain stem
baeA's battery, all under command OF