The National tribune., 1898-06-16

blum, IUO feet hgn, with TWO strong water
batteries on the bank at its base, of nine and
three guns respectively one of them a 10
inch columbiad, three 64-pounders, and the
rest SO FOUNDERS; all protected by very heavy
earthworks, and all bearing on the approach
up the river. The fort itself had but eight
heavy guns mounted in addition to the field
batteries of its garrison. Gen. Gideon J.
Pillow had been in command there until the
arrival of Gen. John b. Floyd, when the
number of its defenders had been swelled by
successive Teinforcements to about Is, 900 (2)
men. Most OF them were Tennesseans, with
about 2, 900 Mississippians, 200 Virginians,
600 Kentuckians, and thin regiment each
from Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas.
The fort was commanded by two or three
points farther inland, within cannon-shot;
the country rolling to the bluffs of the Ten
nessee; some of the hills midway having an
elevation of about 800 feet.
Deep ravnes, with steep, rocky sides, es-
pecialy near the bluffs of the Cumberland.
sepaI atcd these hills and, with the tall dense
primitive forests generally prevailing, afforded
admirable positions for defensive warfare.
A heavy and difficult abatis in good part sur
rounded The fortress landward, rendering
assault at many points all but impracticable.
Gen. Grant, bringin. Smiths Division
down that river to turn back all vessels as
cending it with troops or supplies, crossed
rom Fort Henry to the neighborhood of
Donelson, gradually extending his lines so as TO
invest the rebel stronghold nearly from river
to river, by a line some three miles long, and
100 to 800 rods distant from the rebel rifle
pits AMI batteries, which formed al irregular
crescent, enciIcling their fort at q distance of
one or two miles. Skirmlshing by sharp
shooters on both sides was maintained with
spirit Throughout the day, mainly from be-
hind the trees Of the great forest, which at
most points covered orr army and the space
between the hostile lines. The weather was
thus far like a clear, bright, Northern Oc-
tober, and our men in the highest spirits.
Commodore Foote arrived on the evening Of
the 18th with his unboatS-four iron clad
aid two wooden and it was determined that
lie should attempt to silence and carry the
water batteries. He did so at , D. H. next
day, steadily advancing with his iron-cads to
within 100 yards Of the rebels great guns;
when, by an hours desperate fighting. he had
driven most of the enemy's gunners from
their batteries, and seemed Oh the point of
complete success.
Just here, however, the wheel of his flag
ship St. Louis and tie tiller Of its consort,
y,
both boats unmanageable and causing them
to drift help!essly down the ri'e'. Ali his
ironclads had endured serious damage; the
St Louis having received 80 shots, and each
OF the others about half so many, with al
aggregate loss of "a killed and wounded. OF
his II guns, one had burst, while the enemy !
had brought over 20-Most of them very |
heavy-to bear upon him from DJneison, as
well as the water batteries to which the gun
ners returned on observing his predicament,
and again poured in their hottest fire.
Commodore Foote, pc:ceiving victory hope |
less, gave up the contest, and retired with his
boats down the river, badly crippled.
Gen Grant decided to complete the in
vestment of Ike fort, at least on that side,
while he fortified his weak points, and await |
ed the return Of the gunboats in fighting con-
dition Floyd, however, not concurring in
that view OF the matter, decided to assume
at once n vigorous offensive, while his men
were elated with their defeat of the gun
boats.
Missing heavily on his extreme left, COM
manded by Pillow, and ordering Buckner, i'll
the center TO attack likewise. he made dcs-
perate effort to beat back our investing and
augmcnting forces. and open for his army
line Of retreat mp river toward Nashville.
The attack of Pillow on our right, held by
Gen. McClernand, was impetuous, daring,
and persistent. After two hours, desyerate
fighting, McClcrnand was worsted and fell
back Oh our center, sending urgently TO. rein
forcements, but still contesting every inch OF
ground Two or three Of his regiments were
badly broken and several more reported out
of ammunition; which should not have been,
since ii was not yet noon.
(i,fr bad h1it,t n
orally of using ammunition wastefully. load
ing and firing as fast rs possible, even when
there was not one chance in thousand OF
hitting an enemy. The rebels usually econ
omized their cartridges, firing only when they
could do so with effect.
Pillow. still successful and slowly advanc
ing, about noon joined hands with Buckner
in the center, and took command Of their
uniteI forces, when q charge. was made by
Forests cavalry OH our infantry supporting a
battery of SIX pieces, which WAS taken.(a) 1
Gen. Grant-not expecting thi, striking
pro # of reUel vitality-waS some miles dis
tant, on gunboat comforting with Com
manller Footc, when Netherlands cry for
assistance reached Headquarters. Gen Lew.
Wallace, commanding cur center, ordered
Col. Craft, with his First Brigade. to the
rescue. Cruit, misdirccted by his guide.
took :. wrong roa.; but it led him neyerthe
less into the light, ana served to draw OF,
some rebel attention from Netherlands over
matched ca!umn. Meantime. Col. j. NJ,
Thaycr, commanding his Third Brigade, wai
ordered by Wallace To the further support ct
McClernand; and bis fresh troops, admirably
handled, uniting with Cruit's, succeeded in
stopping and turning back the rebel advance.
Gen. Grant reached the scene of conflict
about ) p. M, and after a survey OF the
81 Col Hanson, 2d KY. and Col. Cook. sd
Tenn as weil as Maj brown. 10th Miss uf1ic- |
al rrlort tnat, after kuckner's oefci. of Me |
Ccrnund, on morning OF he 18th, there
was no obstacle to the escape CT their entire
force souihw rd up the Cam bcrand Col. !
Hanson says the way of escape remained open
Till they were or cred back to the trenches, !
late i'll the afternoon.