A TERRIBLE BATTLE PROGRESSING.
The Loss Sever on both Sides.
Our men Fight like Tigers.
THE REBELS HOIST THE BLACK FLAG.
CUMBERLAND RIVER,
NEAR FORT DONALSON [sic], Feb. 15.
The Chicago Tribune, to relieve the anxiety of the people, presents the following special to be sent in advance of publication:
Our firing commenced again at daybreak and continued at intervals all day long up to 4 o’clock. No Movement or assault by the land force had been made. Night before last an attempt was made by the rebels to take Taylor’s battery of light artillery, but they were repulsed by two regiments and driven back beyond their entrenchments. Our loss in wounded is considerable but not more than 3 or 4 are dangerously wounded.
Six gunboats arrived yesterday and commenced an attack on the fort at 2 p.m. The firing was very rapid and severe, and lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, when our gun boats fell back.
The four iron clad boats went within 300 yards of the Fort.
All of the river guns except six were either dismounted or silenced. The first shot fired from the Louisville dismounted the rebels’ 128 pounder. The Louisville received fifty-seven shots, two of which took effect, on striking the starboard side of her deck and passing through the length of the boat, and broke her tiller rope a short distance from the pilot house. The rope was then managed by some of the hands, when a shell from the Taylor [sic], which lay some distance astern, burst over the Louisville, scattering the men at the tiller rope and so much disabled the steering tackle that the boat was compelled to drop astern.
One shot struck the Pittsburg in the bow and stove an immense hole in her, which caused her to withdraw out of action. The leak however, has been stopped.
One shot struck the pilot house of the St. Louis, passing through it between the pilot’s legs without injuring him. All of the boats were more or less injured, but none but the Louisville seriously. There were 5 killed and two wounded on the Louisville.
The gunboats will not be in condition to renew their attack before to-morrow morning. In consequence of the [height] of the bluffs on which their fortifications are built, our shot cannot have as much effect on them as those of Fort Henry; therefore it will require a much longer time to reduce this fort.
The rebels have raised the black flag. It can be seen flying from the bank, a short distance above here.
CAMP IN THE FIELD, near Ft. Donelson,
Feb 15th, p.m.
The right wing of our forces commenced the storming of the right wing of Fort Donelson about noon, and have taken the right wing of the enemy’s fortification, over which the stars and stripes are now floating in triumph. The opposing forces are now almost breast to breast, ready to open the work of death on each other almost at any moment.
We have lost two Lieut. Cols. Killed, one of whom is Lieut. Col. Smith, of the 48th Illinois and two Cols. Wounded. The 18th regiment fought like tigers, and are [badly] cut up. The loss on both sides is pretty severe. More particulars soon.
Schwartz’s battery captured by the rebels this morning has been retaken.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 15.
Assistant Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott arrived here to-night from Cairo. He reports that the fighting at Fort Donelson was suspended on both sides yesterday. – Our troops are suffering considerable from exposure, being unprovided with tents. – They are in excellent spirits, however, and are eager to resume the battle.
Dispatches to Gov. Yates, from the commanding officer at Cairo, state that the fort is completely invested, the enemy driven in from their outworks, and all chances for retreat or reinforcements cut off.
Col. Morrison is said to be severely, but not mortally wounded.
The success of the army is considered beyond the possibility of doubt.
The supposition at Cairo is, that Columbus will be attacked at once by land forces from below and by the river from above.
Gen. Grant is said to have at least 50,000 men under his command.
Several mortar boats are leaving Cairo daily.
Gen. Halleck telegraphs Gen. McClellan that the fort is completely invested – retreat form it and reinforcements to it being cut off.
Surrender or extermination appear to be the alternative.
Pillow, Floyd, Buckner and other noted rebels are in the fort.
Four Brigadier Generals are reported now in the Fort. Gens. Pillow, Buckner, Floyd and Johnston [sic].
Altogether out loss to-day is about 250 in killed and wounded. Capt. Mitchell of the 7th Ills. Was killed early in the morning.
Col. Ogelsby says, we came here to take that fort, and we do not intend to leave until we do it.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 2
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