The Second Regiment at Fort Donelson

The following letter has been kindly handed to us for publication.  It is from a Sergeant in the late Captain Slaymaker’s Company at Fort Donelson, to his sister [of] this city.  The letter was evidently written in haste but fully confirms what we have before heard of the desperate valor of the Second regiment on that occasion, and the severe loss suffered by one of our own companies. – It is as follows:

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 15th, 1862.

DEAR SISTER: I was in my first battle – the first of the Second Regiment.  We took a fortress, driving out the sharp-shooters, armed with six-barreled revolving rifles.  In fifteen minutes after we received the order we were across their breast works.  We drove them at the point of the bayonet.  The battle lasted two hours and a half, but seemed very short to us all.  Capt. Slaymaker, George Howell, Peterson, Myers, and Lenhart were killed; Lieut. Holmes and Doolittle severely injured.  Total loss five killed twenty-five wounded.

Two bullets passed through my clothing but did not draw blood.

I am tired.  We landed here on Friday morning, and it is now Sunday night, and I have not slept.  We have 10,000 prisoners. – The Second to-day had the greatest honor, and was the first to plant the red, white and blue in the enemy’s stronghold.

Mr. Morrison, flour dealer on Brady street, received a letter last evening from his son, James, also a member of Capt. Slaymaker’s company, in which he states that Lt. Holmes was struck in the leg by a musket ball, and is feared the limb will require amputation.  Capt. Slaymaker was killed while bravely leading on his men, shouting “Come on, my boys; give it to them!” a spent ball stuck him, and the noble soldier perished.  Mr. Morrison was slightly wounded in the foot.  He states that it is thought there are not more than two hundred sound men left in the regiment fit for duty.  All honor to the brave Iowa Second!  Its first meeting with the enemy has been a terrible but glorious one.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1