Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-16
THE FIGHT AT FORT DONELs ON.
Official Accounts of What the GunbOats
did to the Rebels.

did to the Rebels.
U. S. GUNBoAT FAIRPLAY OFF DOVER,
Tenn, Feb. 4.-Sir IL have to report that
on the Sd inst left Smithland, Ky, with
fleet of transports and the gunboats Lexing-
ton, Fair Play, ST. Clair, Brilliant, Robert,
Silver Lake, and convoy, up Cumberland
river. When about "a miles below | met the
steamer Wild Cat with a message from Col
Harding, commanding the post at Dover, in
forming me that his picketS had been driven
in, and that he was attacked in force. | i'm
mediately left with the transports and made a
signal to the gunboats to follow on up as fast
as possible. A short distance below the town
| met another steamer bringing intelligence
thatthe place was entirely surrounded Push
ing On with all possible speed, | arrived here
about p. NJ, and found Col. Harding's force
out of ammunition and entirely surrounded
by the rebels in overwhelming numbers, but
holding them in check.
The enemy, not expecting the gunboats,
had unwisely posted the main body Of his
army in line of battle, in the graveyard at the
west end OF the town, with his left wing rest
ing on ravine that led down to the river,
giving us a chance to throw a raking fire
along his line. simultaneously the gunboats
opened fire up this ravine into the graveyard,
and over into the valley beyond, where the
enemy had their horses hitched, and most
probably kept the reserve. The rebels were
taken so much by surprise that they did not
even fire a shot, but Immediately commenced
retreating So well directed was our fire on
them that they could not even carry off
caisson that they had captured from our
forces, but were compelled to abandon it, af-
ter two fruitless attempts to destroy it by fire.
After having disposed of the main body Of
the enemy, stationed the Robert and Silver
Lake below the town to throw shell up the
ravine and prevent the rebels from returning
to carry off the wounded, while the LeXing-
ton, Fair Play, ST. Clair and Brilliant went
above and shelled the roads leading out to
the eastward. Supposing theretreating forces
would follow the river for short distance,
sent the Lexington and st. CLAIR on up to shell
the woods, and harrass and annoy the enemy
as much as possible, while this boat and the
Brilliant lay opposite the upper ravine and
threw shells up the roads. About ten o'clock
2. NJ, we ceased firing, with the exception
now and then OF random shell up the roads.
AT eleven z. NJ, hearing from Colonel Hard
ing that the enemy had entirely disappeared,
we ceased firing and took position to guard
the roads approaching the town.
Although much of our firing was at ran
dom, we have the qualification of knowing
that scarcely a projectile went amiss and
that out Of the one hundred and forty buried
to-day the gunboats can claim their share
Evtn when the Lexington and St. Clair went
above, many of their shells fell in the midst of
the retreating rebels, killing and wounding
many. 1t is reported that the attacking force
numbered $500, with eight pieces of artillery,
under command of Major Gen. Wheeler and
Brig Gems. Forrest and Wharton. 1t is GER
tainly very gratifying for us to know that this
entire force was cut up, routed, and despoiled
of its prey by the timely arrival Of the gun
boats and that Col. Harding and his gallant
little band were spared to wear the honor they
had so fairly won.
At first | regretted that was not here soon
er with the gunboats; but, on reflection, l
think | could not have arrived at better
time had it been in my power. Had we been