The National tribune., 1893-03-09
FORT DONELSON.
The First Great Union Victory of the War
for the Union.

The First Great Union Victory of the War
for the Union.
"HIRTY-oNE years have passed away
since the Union army under Gen.
Grant and the naval fotila under
Commodore Andrew II. Foote as.
cended the Tennessee River and began their
active operations which opened up the Tennes-
see and Cumberland Rivers, and gave the
Union army access to the historic fields of
Sh iloh, Nashville, and other Southern battle
fields. The Northern people were anxiously
awaiting TO see if there was not some one who
would rise up and lead the Union army on to
victory and dispel the gloom that bovered DER
the Union at this time. Gen. Grant had been
placed in command at Cairo and had urged
Gen. Halleck to let him and Commodore Foote
undertake the reduction of Forts Henry and
Donelson, on the Tennessee and Cum beriand
Rivers Halleck did not approve of the plans,
and Commodore Foote also urged him to allow
the movement to be made Finally consent
was given. and on Feb. 2. 1862 the movement
began.
There was 1900 infantry and cavalry and
the gunboats. The river was very high and
all the streams were swollen. Arriving near
the fort, the troops disembarked, and on the
morning of Feb. 6 the naval fotilia moved up
to the fort and began a rapid fire. which was
returned. The gunboats plowed their way
right up under the guns of Fort Henry. and
poured in shot and shell until the fort was sur
rendered by Gen. Lloyd Tilghman. who was
afterward killed at the battle of Champion
Hills, Miss. All the Confederates but about 60
escaped and retreated to Fort Doneson, IL
miles east, on the Cumberland River. The in
fantry did not get up in time to do any fight
ing as the roads were almost impossible, and
the navy is entitled to the honor of tue capture
OF Fort Henry.
The army under Gen. Grant was divided in
three divisions, commanded by Gems. {. +.
Smith, Lew Wallace and John A. McCiernand,
and was at once moved across the country to
Fort Donelson, while the gnnboats went down
the Tennessee River and came up the Cumber-
land.
Fort Donelson was located on a bluff. and
was a natural fortress 100 feet above the river.
There were two water batteries commanding
the river; one had rife gun carrying 125-
pound shell, with two 3D. Founders. The other
battery was composed of nine 32-ponnders
strongly posted There were also extensive
eartbwOrks surrounding the place and extend
ing around the city of Dover. The fort was in
command of Gen. Bushrod Il. johnson, with
some Il, 600 troops. He was reinforced by
troops commanded by Gems. Pillow, Floyd, and
s. B. Buckner increasing the force to 10000.
The advance of Gen. Grants army reached
the outlines Feb. l2. and Gen. McClernands
Division took the right, with MeArthnr's
Brigade, while Gen. c. T. Smiths Division
went TO the left aud Lew Wallaces Brigade
came up from Fort Henry and occupied the
center. On the 18th Col. William r. Morri-
son. commanding the 49th ILL.,, and Col.
Hayne, of the 48th ILL.,. with their regiments
made several assaults on the outer works of
the Confederates and were repulsed, and Col.
Morrison was wounded.
The command to which we belonged was
sent TO the extreme right. We were without
supplies, aud the roads were almost impossible
During the night OF the 14th storm set in
aud snow aud sleet covered the earth. caus-
ing much suffering. we were not allowed
TO have any fires, for fear of drawing the fire
Of the enemy's artillery, and We had no tents
20 shelter us from the storm. 1t turned cold
and froze our wet blankets, covered with ice
and snow.
Very early on the 18th, before we were
able TO build fires to warm ourselves. the
battle opened. The shrill, keen voice of Col.
Isaac c. Pugh. of the dist ILL.,, could be heard
calling on the command TO fall in. The Con-
federates had determined to cut their way
out and escape TO Nashville. Our pickets
/ fired and fell back to the main line. Our
/ first move was to charge on the enemy,
/ which we did, and fired v0lley at their ad
! vRncing columns, which sent them back in
/ disorder. They soon reformed their lines,
however, and came at us heavily reinforced
Our regiment was standing in an open field,
! which was observed by Gen. II. J. Oglesby
who commanded the brigade on our left. and he
rode up and ordered the regiment moved TO the
right into the timber for protection. The
order was given aud we moved about the
length of one company, when the Goth Miss,
which had formed along the rail fence just
north of Us, opened murderous fire on us,
and shot down four or five out OF each COM
pauy. When we fell back to the timber On
the south of us about so steps the line of
biuecoats lay on the snow, showing where our
line had been when we received the first
volley from the Confederates. This will
always remain impressed on my memory, for
in that line of blue lay my comrade who with
me had been boys together and with whom |
had enlisted for the war.
We returned their fire. and the battle of Fort
/ Doneison was opened in earnest. Soon the
9Th aud 18th Ill. were botly engaged with an
overwhelming force of the Confederates, who
were trying to cut their way ont. We exhaust
| ed Our ammunition and were compelled to fall
back, fighting as We went Con. Oglesby 8
Brigade was soon engaged, and Sohwartss bat