Head Quarters, Army in
the Field
Camp Near Fort
Donelson, Feb.y 15th 1862
GEN. G. W. CULLUM
CHIIEF OF STAFF, DEPT. OF THE MO.
CAIRO ILL.
GEN.
I hope you will direct Capt. Turnley to forward the
transportation belonging to the troops here as rapidly as possible. It is now almost impossible to get supplies
from the landing to where our troops are.
We will soon want ammunition for our 10 & 20 pound
Parrot guns; already require it for the 24 pound howitzers. and
I have directed my ordnance officer to keep a constant watch
upon the supply of ammunition and take steps in time to avoid a deficiency.
Appearances now indicate that we will have a protracted
siege here. The ground is very broken
and the fallen timber extending far out from the breast works I fear the result
of attempting to carry the place by storm and with raw troops. I feel great confidance however of ultimately
reducing the place. As yet I have had no
batteries thrown up hoping with the aid of the Gunboats to obviate the
necessity. The present high water has
prevented my extending the right to the river.
Col. Webster is now making a reconnoissance with the view of sending a
force above the town of Dover to occupy the river bank.
Please inform Gen. Halleck the substance of this.
Respectfully
your obt. svt.
U. S. GRANT
Brig. Gen.
SOURCE: John Y. Simon & William M. Ferraro, Editors, The
Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 4: January 8-March 31, 1862, p.
212-3
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