U. S. Gunboat Louisville,
Off Dover, February
16,1862.
Sir: At 2:30
p. m. yesterday, shortly after your departure, I received the enclosed dispatch
(No. 1) from General Grant.
It seemed of so much importance for us to keep up a show of
force that I decided not to accompany the Pittsburg down the river.
I immediately went on board the Carondelet and St.
Louis to see their condition and consult with their commanders.
The Carondelet could not well be moved, but I ordered
up the St. Louis and followed up with this vessel. The St. Louis threw
a few shells, and toward dark both vessels returned to their former anchorage.
At 8:30 p. m. yesterday I received the dispatch marked No.
2, and early this morning went on board the vessels to give instructions.
The condition of the Carondelet’s wounded would not
allow them to be moved or the guns to be used. I sent my own and those of the St.
Louis on board of one of the transports and got underway, steaming up
toward the batteries at Fort Donelson, both vessels cleared for action.
On approaching near enough two white flags were seen flying
from the upper one. I then stopped the gunboats and proceeded in the tug with a
white flag flying, and landed at the foot of the hill below the fort. I was met
by a major, who offered me his sword, which I declined to receive, thinking it
most proper to consult with General Grant. I took the major on board the tug
and proceeded up to General Buckner's headquarters, where I found General
Wallace and his aids. General Grant arrived about a half hour afterwards. The
fort had surrendered, but what were the conditions I was not officially
informed.
The transports are all up at Dover to receive the prisoners.
The Carondelet, being most disabled of the gunboats, will go down this
afternoon.
I will remain here with this vessel and the St. Louis until
further orders, or until the fall of the river compels me to go down. The St.
Louis will make a short reconnoissance up the river, at General Grant's
suggestion, this afternoon. This vessel will remain off the town.
The Graham arrived to-day with the mortar and gunboat
ammunition.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
Benj. M. Dove,
Commander.
Flag-Officer A. H. Foote,
Commanding Mississippi Flotilla.
SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies
in the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume 22, p. 588-9
