CAMP NEAR FORT
DONELSON, February 15, 1862.
ANDREW H. FOOTE.
Commanding Officer Gunboat Flotilla
:
If all the gunboats that can will immediately make their
appearance to the enemy it may secure us a victory. Otherwise all may be
defeated. A terrible conflict ensued in my absence, which has demoralized a
portion of my command, and I think the enemy is much more so. If the gunboats
do not show themselves, it will reassure the enemy and still further demoralize
our troops. I must order a charge to save appearances. I do not expect the
gunboats to go into action, but to make appearance and throw a few shells at
long range.
U.S. GRANT,
Brigadier-General,
Commanding.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
7 (Serial No. 7), p. 618
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