The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-04-16
HIS FIRST GREAT VICTORY.

GEN lRAL GRANT AND Ms MEN" AT TORT
DO iELsoN--HIs FIRST GREAT VICTORY.
AND SOME OF THE FACTS THAT LED UP
TO IT.
On Monday, February 10th 1869, the
citizens and soldiery of Cairo, were reoiced
over the receipt of the following pointed
intelligence
"At 8 o'clock on Sunday morning the
rebel forces at fort Doneson surrendered
to General Grant unconditionallym
Upon this intelligence the CO tor Of the
only newspaper then published in Cairo,
commented as follows:
I'm so many words this intelligence
reached Cairo yesterday morning. The
manifestations of JOY that ensued were Uni
versal and enthusiastic. They bore in
themselves the evidences of the deepest
sincerity. From the fort here, and the for
tiications at Birds Point, the cannon were
made to thunder forth a glad salute; in
various parts of the city the stars and
stripes were flung to the breeze, and upon
every face, old and young, the iutente hap.
piness Of the heart was strikingly mr1i-
tested"
From the thousand and one reports from
the scene Of action-reliable and unreliable
the same editor collated the following,
winch relates more especially to Saturdays
lighting. The extract is re-published, not
as an authentic account of the bloody con-
i1ict, but as reminder of certain details
that form no part of "official reports" and
to bring afrcsh to the minds of our people
the mingled feelings of sorrow and exulta-
ton that then moved the hearts of loyal
people everywhere.
"on Saturday morning" $50 the report
ram "thc battle was resumed with unusual
vigor and determination. The Sth, 18th,
25th and 3lst Illinois occupied position
above the fort, the 0th holding the extreme
right the 18th next, then the 31st and Goth.
Alter another severe night, our men were
about to prepare little food when the
rebels opened upon them fire of musketry
that was wei! calculated to create the Wild
est confusion if not panic; but the line of
battle was at once formed, and the storm of
leaden hail returned, perceptibly thinning
the rebel ranks as they advanced. There
are many reasons for believing that the
real object of the rebels was to evacuate the
fort, and to cut their way through Colonel
Oglesby's command in doing so; but, al
though they seemed as an overpowering
host, and from advantageous positions
showered upon our ranks the most
murderous vollcys of musketry, grape and
canister, killing and wound1g our men al
most by companies at every round, vet the
stars and stripes moved not a single foot
backward. Bravely, determinedly, without
tlinching, the four regiments held their
ground, dealing death, dying rld fighting
against appalling odds n the face of every
disadvantage. The 18th regiment seems to
have resisted the seyerest storm. Against
their ranks the rebels directed their heav-
lest fire; but instead of falling back they
advanced to the very face of the enemy,
and there stood as it We're in the very Jaws
Of death, fighting bravely and determined
ly with scarcely a prospect that single !
one would escape sure end swift destruc-
ton. For three hours these four regiments
numbering scarcely three thousand men,
fought the whole rebel garrison. At one
time the 18th, being par ally tianked, was
exposed to a cross-fre of both musketry
and artillery, but our right wing securing
the rebels left at once relieved them.
During this critical moment Col Michael
X. Lawler fell pierced by two musket balls.
Captain Brush, acting lieutenant colonel,
assumed command, but was soon wounded
Capt Cruise was shot dead Lieutenants
ManSford and Thompson were killed;
Lieutenants r. Kelly and Seaman wounded;
Captains Dillon and Wilson were wounded;
so that the daring Egyptian regiment stood
before an overwhelming foe almost without
the officers actually necessary to direct its
operations. How desperately they fought,
how terribly they suffered can never be
fully known. They fell in heaps, dead and
Companies were bereft of their
captains and lieutenants; captains were al.
most bereft accompanies.
The 18th, Goth and 3lst did their duty {
lobly. Colonies Oglesby, Marsh and
Logan, dashed along their ranks, waving
heir hats, and cheering their men on to the
conflict. "Suffer death my men," cried {
logan, "but disgrace never" And we'll
hey needed him. Many fell, killed and
Amonp the fnrmor ,yo aro