Further From Ft. Donelson

Two more Rebel Regiments, Captured, &c., &c.

FT. DONALSON [sic], Feb. 19, via CAIRO. – Two more regiments were captured to-day, east of the entrenchments, and a number of troops have come in and delivered themselves up.

About 12,000 stand of small arms have been taken.  Many of the rebel troops destroyed their arms, and large numbers were thrown in the river.  There are two water batteries, the upper one with a heavy rifled gun, 32 pound bore, two 32-pounder carronades.  The lower battery contains eight 32-poounders and one ten inch columbiad, mounted in embrasures.  Two thousand barrels of flour and 1200 boxes of beef, and a large amount of other provisions were found to-day.

All of to-day has been occupied in embarking prisoners and gathering up stores and munitions and burying the dead.  There are a great number of dead rebels still unburied, as it has all been thrown upon our men to do.

Capt. Lagone, aide to Gen. Grant, goes to Clarksville, to-morrow, under a flag of truce with the bodies of two colonels, and to effect an exchange of our wounded prisoners, who have been sent to Nashville.

Gen. Grant received official notice, last night of the creation of a new Military District, of Western Tennessee, of which he is appointed commander, with headquarters at Ft. Donelson.

Gen. Grant’s Staff remains as at present, with Maj. W. W. Leland attached, as chief of commissary.

Osband’s cavalry and Willard’s battery suffered no loss in killed.

Taylor’s battery acted nobly, and was charged on five times on Saturday, each time repulsing the enemy with great slaughter.

Among the killed, are the following officers:

Captain Wilson, Lieutenants Marsh, Sheets, Howell and Monroe, of the 8^th Illinois.  Capt. Shaw, Lieutenants Churchill, Voore, Boyer and orderly Sargeant Bedard, of the 11^th.  Adjutant Kirkpatrick, of the 30^th.

Cols. John A. Logan, M. K. Lawler and Lieut. Col. Ransom, slightly wounded.

Maj. Post, who was reported killed, was wounded and taken prisoner.

Capt. E. T. [sic] Slaymaker, of the 2d Iowa was killed.

The Confirmation of Gen. C. F. Smith, was received with great satisfaction by the soldiers. – His gallant charge of Saturday, has made him extremely popular among his men.

Gen. S. A. Hurlbut reported for duty to Gen. Grant, this evening, and has been assigned to a division.

It is currently reported that Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, has ordered all Tennesseans to lay down their arms.

The greatest indignation exists among the prisoners against Pillow and Floyd.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

The Storming of Fort Donelson

It turns out just as we anticipated it was the brigade of Col. Lauman, acting Brigadier General, consisting of the 7^th, 2^nd and 14^th Iowa and the 25^th Indiana which made the gallant charge up the hill over the enemies [sic] breastworks, driving him out of the upper position of his fortifications at the point of the bayonet and deciding the fortunes of the three days’ bloody struggle.  It was this brigade which first planted the stars and stripes upon the rebel works which they carried, restored the flagging spirits of our army, and held the ground which they had taken.

Although the accounts which we get are all Chicago accounts and colored almost as highly as those of the battle of Belmont, being written by the same persons yet, it evidently was not considered wise this time to omit all mention of the most gallant achievement of the three days fighting or of the persons who participated in it.  We find in the Chicago Tribune the following reluctant mention of this decidedly most brilliant bayonet charge, in its execution and result, of the war:

In the afternoon Gen. Grant saw that something should be done to restore the spirits of our disheartened troops, and ordered General Smith to make an assault on the west wing of the enemy’s works.  Gen. Smith, as quick as horseflesh could bear him, rode along his lines and ordered his men to prepare for a charge which caused shouts of joy to ring along his lines. – Without a moment’s unnecessary delay Colonel Lauman’s brigade, the 2d and 7^th Iowa, and the 11^th and 24^th Indiana, charged up to the enemy’s redoubt driving the rebels before them at the point of the bayonet like frightened sheep, and gaining possession of their outer works.

Gen. Smith behaved like one inspired for nothing less than continual victories.  He could be seen riding along the lines with his had swinging on top of his sword amid the thickest of the fight, encouraging his men and cheering them on to victory, regardless of the deadly missiles flying around him.

The Colonel of the 2^nd Iowa was the first to mount the enemy’s works with his men close in his wake.  The storming was complete.  Our troops gained a position inside of their works where they lay on their arms all night and prepared to follow up their success in the morning.

These Chicago reporters are subsisted and paid out of the means of Uncle Sam, by Chicago and Illinois Generals and Colonels, for the express purpose of puffing the aforesaid Generals and Colonels, and they do it without rime [sic] or reason, monopolizing the telegraph lines to the end.  We are surprised that any mention was made at all of Col. Lauman and our Iowa troops.  They tell us that such and Illinois Regiment fought like tigers, but were compelled to fall back – Col. So and So acted like one inspired – the Illinois _th fought with desperate courage until their ammunition became exhausted – the _th Illinois, being cut to pieces were compelled to fall back, which they did with good order, gallantry, etc., etc.  But it being necessary to do something to revive the flagging spirits of our army, the Iowa Brigade, under General Lauman, marched into the rebel fortification and ran up the stripes and stars.  That is all, recited in the fewest possible words, no praise being awarded except to Grant and Smith.

At 2 o’clock, we received the following dispatch, for which we paid the moderate sum of five dollars.  It confirms what we said above:

CAIRO, Feb. 19, 1862

EDITOR HAWK-EYE: – Col. Lauman’s brigade were the first inside the breast works at Fort Donelson.  The casualties of the 7^th Iowa are light, only one man (M. C. Stewart,) company D, is known to be killed.  No more than 15 (fifteen) are wounded, none dangerously.  The Second Iowa is badly cut up.  Two of their captains are killed – one is Captain Cloutman.  Major Chipman is wounded in the thigh.

J. R. N.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 2

Special to the Chicago Tribune

CAIRO, April 9 – 10 P. M.

No official accounts have yet been received from the great battle near Pittsburg.  A few who were witnesses of most of it have arrived, and a summary of their report is as follows; it may differ somewhat from the first reports sent you:

The Federal army was posted between two streams, about four miles apart, that run into the Tennessee nearly at right angles to it, about two miles each from Pittsburg.  The left front was commanded by Gen. Prentiss, who had several raw regiments, and in his rear was Gen. Sherman with his division.  The right front was held by Gen. McClernand, with Gen. Smith in his rear.  Gen. Hurlbut was in the center, somewhat in the rear of the front line. – Beauregard attacked Gen. Prentiss’ division at 4 o’clock on Sunday morning, surprising them and driving them and Sherman’s corps near the river till protected by our gunboats, and taking Prentiss and two regiments prisoners.  While driving in Prentiss and Sherman, a large force of the enemy got in the rear of Gen. McClernand’s division, completely cutting it from the main army.  Gen. McClernand put himself at the head of his troops, and cut his way through the rebel hosts and rejoined the army.

The fight had now become desperate, and General Grant assuming command, the enemy was driven back, and the federal forces occupied at night nearly the same positions they did in the morning.  The fight lasted fifteen hours.

During the night General Lew. Wallace came up form Crump’s Landing with nineteen thousand troops, and in the morning the battle was renewed with great fury. – Soon after noon, Gen. Buell had crossed the Tennessee and attacked the enemy in flank with 40,000 men, and the rout soon became general.  Buell pursued with 12,000 men, mostly cavalry, and the last rumor was that he had taken Corinth.

Our informants can give no account of our loss further than that it is terrible. – Eight hundred wounded are reported on one steamer on their way down.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 1

CAIRO, April 9 [1862].

Further advices from Pittsburg Landing give the following about the battle:

The enemy attacked us at 4 o’clock Sunday morning, the brigades of Sherman and Prentiss being first engaged.  The attack was successful, and our entire force was driven back to the river, where the advance of the enemy was checked by the fire of the gunboats, and our force increased by the arrival of Gen. Grant with troops from Savannah; and inspired them by the report of the arrival of two divisions of Buell’s army.

Our loss this day was heavy, and besides the killed and wounded, embraced our camp equipage and 36 field guns.  The next morning our forces, now amounting to 80,000, assumed the offensive, and by 2 o’clock P. M. had retaken our camp and batteries, together with some 40 of the enemy’s guns and a number of prisoners; and the army were in full retreat, pursued by our victorious force.  The casualties are numerous: Gen. Grant was wounded in the ankle slightly; Gen. W. H. L. Wallace killed; Gen. Smith severely wounded; Gen. Prentiss prisoner; Col. Hall, 16^th Ill., killed; Cols. Logan, 32d Ill., and Davis 51^st Ill., wounded severely; Maj. Hunter 32d Ill., killed; and our loss in killed wounded and missing not less than 5,000.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 1

Complimentary To Iowa Courage

The gallant General Charles F. Smith, of Pennsylvania, in a recent letter to Hon. J. W. Grimes, the able Senator from Iowa, thanking him for his voluntary and eloquent support of his claims for promotion, says, in complimenting the State pride of the Senator:

“It affords me the greatest pleasure to add, that although all the Iowa regiments behaved creditably, the behavior of the Second regiment during the assault of the 15^th was as fine an exhibition of soldierly conduct as it has ever been my fortune to witness.” – Forney’s Press.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

Special to the Tribune.

CAIRO, March 28.

A gentleman who has just returned from Pittsburg and Savannah, on the Tennessee river, reports that on Sunday and Monday last Gen. Sherman sent a reconnoisance in force to Pea Ridge, near the line of the Mobile and Ohio RR., where it had been reported the rebels were fortifying.  The reconnoisance was complete in every particular.  No enemy, however, was found in the neighborhood.  The expedition returned to Pittsburg on Tuesday.  Our forces at Pittsburg are being rapidly augmented, steamer after steamer arriving continually, loaded with fresh troops.

The latest advices from the rebel camp at Corinth give the strength of the rebel force there at 170,000.  Recent indications relative to the persistent efforts of the rebels to fortify the town of Corinth would seem to demonstrate an intention to make a vigorous resistance there.

It is, however, the general belief of all prominent officers of Gen. Grant’s command that the rebels will retire on our approach, but should a battle occur Corinth will doubtless be one of the hardest fought and bloodiest affairs of the present war.  On Sunday last information was received at the headquarters of Gen. Grant, that a considerable amount of pork was stored at a point on the river, called Nichols’ Landing, sixty miles south of Savannah, Tenn.  Maj. M. Smith, of the 45th Ill., with one hundred and fifty infantry and Capt. Osbonad’s Co., 48^th Ill. Cavalry, was dispatched on the steamer to secure said property.  Arriving at Nichol’s Landing information was given by contrabands, concerning the locality of the pork in question.  Within a circuit of fifteen miles, fifteen thousand pounds of fresh pork, forty-five thousand pounds cured hams, shoulders &c., were discovered and confiscated.  They were then placed on the steamer, brought to Savannah and turned over to the Commissary department.

Nichols’ Landing and vicinity has been a mart of the pork business for the C. S. A. for a long time.  Immense quantities have been sought and stored there for the use of the Confederate army.  Had information arrived two weeks earlier it would have secured to us two hundred thousand pounds of meat.  Within that time the rebels have transported large quantities southward by teams.

On Monday the gunboat Taylor ran up the river to the vicinity of Eastport, near which point masked batteries opened upon them at a distance of two hundred yards, one shot striking the smoke-stack of the Taylor.  A number of shots were exchanged, with what effect on the enemy’s works is unknown.  The engagement was extremely spirited while it lasted.  Upwards of fifty shots being fired.  The Taylor received no other injuries than those above stated, and nobody was hurt.

Captains Bedard and Carson of Gen. Smith’s scouts returned to Savannah from Nashville, overland, on Tuesday night, as bearers of dispatches from Gen. Buell.

Gens. Nelson’s, Thomas’s and McCook’s divisions of Buell’s column reached Duck River on Sunday last.

Capt. Bedard reports a strong loyal sentiment in several districts of Tennessee.

Between Columbia and Savannah he overtook certain bands of marauding rebels, but their identity not being suspected they were allowed to pass unmolested.  Union men live in extreme fear of these marauders, who are prowling about in the vicinity, and are anxious for the approach of Government forces.

A man named Morris, one of the Jessie Scouts, was hung at Savannah on Sunday for horse stealing and other depredations from private citizens thereabouts.

Gen. Grant has entirely recovered from his recent illness.  Gen. Smith is still confined at his headquarters, but convalescent.

A steamer arrived from the flotilla early this morning, and reports no change in the condition of affairs at Island No. 10.  The bombardment continues with but little intermission, but results are unknown.  No sign of evacuation by the rebels.

Rumors were current that rebel gunboats had passed Pope’s batteries at Point Pleasant from below, but they can be traced to no reliable source.  The story is undoubtedly a canard.

The rebels are impressing citizens of Kentucky and Tennessee into service, and arming them with axes and pikes.

Four rebels armed with Arkansas “toothpicks” were arrested near Charleston yesterday and brought to Bird’s Point.  They claim to be refugees from Tennessee, but their story is disbelieved.  They remain in close custody.

Gen. Strong visited the Island to-day.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 2

Returned

Lt. Flanagan, of company B, and Private Elijah Stone of Le Claire, belonging to the same company, arrived on the Eastern train yesterday afternoon.  They left their regiment at Savannah, on the Tennessee river, last Tuesday, with several other regiments, awaiting orders.  Gen. C. F. Smith was in command, but they met Gen. Grant going up the Tennessee to take command. – Both Lieut. F. and private Stone are sick, and have come home to recruit.  The departure of Lieut. Flanagan left Capt. Littler without any subordinate officer above Second Sergeant Oliver C. Lewis; they met Lt. Huntington at La Salle on his way to join the regiment.  They represent the indignation in the company, when they heard of reports current here about Capt. Littler as very great; and the men held an important meeting, at which they expressed their own views on the subject in emphatic terms.  Capt. Littler seems to be as popular with his men as he ever was, and they want to follow him whenever they have another fight.  Mr. Stone tells us that Capt. Littler was with the company in the skirmishes of the day previous to the famous charge at Fort Donelson, and showed that the music of bullets had no particular horror for him.  Lieut. Flanagan will probably be here two or three weeks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 1

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, March 16.

A special to the Democrat, dated on board the transport Alps, Hickman, Ky., 18^th, contains the following from Southern papers:

The Memphis Appeal says that two rebel transports ran Gen. Pope’s battery at Point Pleasant on Wednesday last.

A letter from New Madrid of the 11^th, pronounces the fort at that point impregnable; that it would be made the American Thermopylae.  This, however, did not prevent the rebels from evacuating the place as soon as Pope contracted his lines around it.

The Florence Gazette says that the Federals have landed a large force at Savannah, on the Tennessee river.

The Appeal also contains a dispatch dated Clarksville, Ark., 12^th, which says that Van Dorn and Price’s armies, with their baggage train, are save in Boston Mountains.

ST. LOUIS, March 14.

A dispatch from Savannah, Tenn., to the Democrat, says the expedition up the Tennessee river have nearly all arrived here, and the fleet is now on the point of proceeding further up the river.

The expedition is commanded by Gen. C. F. Smith, with Gens. Sherman, McClernand, Hurlbut and Wallace as division commanders.  The force is large and fully able to conquer any army the rebels can bring against it.

Gen. Grant remains in command at Fort Henry.

The enemy’s force in this section is variously estimated at from 30,000 to 100,000 men.

Gen. Wallace’s division went to Purdy, McMary county, yesterday, burned the bridge and took up the tracks leading from Humboldt to Corinth, Miss., cutting off a train heavily laden with troops, which arrived just as the bridge was burning.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

Company B

Lieut. Huntington has succeeded in raising some dozen recruits in Le Claire and vicinity for Co. B, 2d regiment.  The Lieutenant will start on his return sometime this week.  We presume the regiment is by this time in Gen. Smith’s division up the Tennessee river.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 1

Lauman’s Brigade Position Marker: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

U. S. A.

BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES F. SMITH’S DIVISION

COLONEL JACOB G. LAUMAN’S BRIGADE

2D IOWA.  COLONEL JAMES M. TUTTLE

7TH IOWA.  LIEUT. COLONEL JAMES C. PARROTT

14TH IOWA. COLONEL WILLIAM T. SHAW

16TH MISSIOURI.  LIEUT. COLONEL BENJAMIN S COMPTON

25TH INDIANA.  COLONEL JAMES C. VEATCH

On February 15, 1862, about 2 P. M., this brigade received orders to assault the extreme right of the Confederate position.  The 2d Iowa let the attack and was closely followed by the 52d Indiana, temporarily attached to this brigade.  The 25^th Indiana, 7^th and 14^th Iowa regiments were in support.  The 16^th Missouri, deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the line, covered the flanks during the attack, crossing the ravine.  The left wing of the 2d Iowa advanced steadily up the opposite hill and reached these rifle pits without firing a shot.  On reaching the works the regiment found the small Confederate garrison in retreat.  It opened fire upon the retreating foe, and awaited the arrival of the right wing.  Whereupon the regiment followed in hot pursuit.  In the meantime, the Confederates received reinforcements and counterattacked to recover the lost position.  Failing in this, they were content to retain possession of the ridge about 400 yards east and over looking these trenches which remained in federal hands.

Detail view: click photo to enlarge.

From The Iowa 2d Regiment

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 25, 1862.

MR. EDITOR:– As these are exciting times, and our friends in Iowa are no doubt anxious to hear all that is going on at this place, I will endeavor to give a few more “items,” for their benefit.

The Iowa 2d are still garrisoning Fort Donelson, and if report is true, regarding the surrender of Nashville, it is more than probably we shall remain here for some time.  The prisoners have all been sent below, our wounded well provided for, excitement has died away, and we have settled down to our regular camp duties.

Col. Tuttle has not fully recovered from his wounds, but is still in command of the regiment, and has been so since we left St. Louis, notwithstanding the Colonel of another regiment has tried to claim that honor during the recent great battle, in which the 2d Iowa acquitted itself so nobly.  The Egyptian reporters from the Southern portion of Suckerdom have tried to make it appear that the Iowa troops only played a minor part in the battle of Fort Donelson, and award all the praise to the troops from their own State, but like the battle of Belmont, in which the same thing was attempted, they have failed.  Justice is not always blind, and the deeds of the Iowa soldiers, as well as those from elsewhere will shine forth, in characters of gold, through all future generations.

On Friday evening at Dress Parade the following order was read:–

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE.

Fort Donelson, Feb. 17, 1862.

General Order, No. 2: – The Gen. commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of his command, for the triumph over the rebellion, gained by their valor, on the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th insts.

For four consecutive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced and enemy in large forces, in a position chosen by himself.

Though strongly fortified by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science, were added.  Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and with continuous skirmishing by day, resulted ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without consideration.

The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in breaking down the rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on the continent.

Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the maps of our united country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people.

By order,

Signed

U. S. GRANT,

Brig. Gen. Commanding.

This evening on dress parade the following order was read, and shows whether the Iowa troops did any work on the 13^th or not.  I will not give the order in full, as it is somewhat lengthy, but only a portion of it.  Here it is:

HEADQUARTERS 2D DIVISION WEST TENN.

Fort Donelson, Feb. 21, 1862.

General Order No. 8:– The Brig. Gen. Commanding the Division, congratulates the troops under his command on the recent brilliant success of our arms at this place which led to the unconditional surrender of the enemy on the 16^th inst. and to which they contributed in no small degree.  He hopes every thing for the future, from their conduct on this occasion.  He begs to request that the Brigade and Regimental Commanders, every officer, non-commissioned officer and soldier to accept his warmest thanks for their gallantry and good conduct under fire, and for their patient endurance without a murmur, the extremely inclement weather to which they were exposed for several days, and nights, without shelter or fire , and with limited food.

Whilst every regiment did its duty in the most praiseworthy manner, yet it has been the good fortune of a portion of the command, from the accident of service to claim especial notice, without in the lightest degree detracting from the merit of any one, to wit: Birge’s Sharpshooters (Lieut. Col. Compton), Maj. Cavender’s three batteries of parrott guns and the Second Iowa Regiment (Col. Tuttle), more particularly for its successful assault on the enemy’s breastworks on the afternoon of the 15^th inst.

To the officers of the Medical staff, too high praise cannot be awarded for their zealous attention to duty both under fire and in the hospital.

In his official report the Brig. Gen. Commanding will endeavor to do exact justice to all.

By order Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith.

(Signed,)

THOS. NEWSHEM,

Ass’t Adj. Gen.

H. SCHOFIELD, A. A. A. G.

I think the above order is good authority to base our claims upon, and as long as we are in Gen. Smith’s division, you will hear equally good reports from the Iowa 2d.

JULES.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 2

New York, March 4 [1862]

A special to the Tribune says that the following nominations were made in the Senate to-day as Major Generals: McDowell, Burnside, Buell, Pope, Curtis, McClernand, C. T. Smith and Lewis W. Williams, acting Major Generals at Fort Donelson.  As Brigadier Generals: Colonels Oglesby, W. H. L. Wallace, Cook, McArthur, Lauman, who commanded brigades at Donelson.

Cols. Berry, of Maine, and Ferry, of Ct., are to rank in the order named, General McDowell thus outranking the rest and Curtis outranking Sigel.

In answer to a resolution of the Senate, the Secretary of War encloses the instructions of the Adjutant General Touching the Hunter-Lane expedition, dated January 3d.

The order to Hunter says:  The general-in-Chief, in giving you this information, desires it to be understood that a command independent of you is not given to General Lane, but he is to operate to all proper extent under your supervision and control. – If you deem it proper, you may yourself command the expedition which may be undertaken.  Under these circumstances the General-in-Chief will not give you a formal leave according to your application, but he authorizes you to absent yourself from your command for 30 days at your discretion.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

Further Particulars of the Fight

The following letter has been a long time in reaching us, but as it contanins some particulars not given both other correspondents, we publish it:

FT. DONELSON, Tenn., Feb. 18.

ED. GAZETTE:  The standard of the second Iowa floats from the highest turret of Fort Donelson, though it has been done at the cost of some of the best blood of Iowa.

On Saturday the 15^th of Feb., Fort Donelson was surrounded by fifty thousand troops, which were drawn out in a semi-circular line around the battlements, which included within their limits some three thousand acres of ground.  The work of surrounding such a vast military enclosure was attended by difficulties which I have no power to describe – dense woods to be cleared, roads to be cut through, hills to be surmounted, valleys crossed, and an immense amount of cannon and military goods to be transported across the country.  But all these were executed with an energy and determination which was an earnest of our ultimate success.

On the 14^th, the 2d Iowa, together with some fifteen other regiments, landed about five miles below the fort, and immediately marched across the country, and took positions in the line.  The 2d Iowa was stationed on the extreme left wing.  About 9 o’clock in the morning, the gunboats commenced firing shell and round ball into the fort.  At the same time the right wing opened fire with light artillery and musketry.

The enemy fought bravely, and repulsed our troops with the great slaughter.  They charged upon one of our batteries, and carried one piece within their breast-works, when suddenly our forces made a rush towards their fortifications, and in the face of a most tremendous fire recaptured the piece, and brought it back in triumph to the battery.  The enemy then withdrew within their entrenchments, and the firing ceased for the night.  In the meantime the heavy siege guns of the fort had silenced our gunboats, and as the night closed around us the fortifications were not yet entered, and a hundred or more brave boys lay dead upon the field, and we began to think anxiously upon the events of the morrow.

That night the whole line, some three miles long, lay upon their arms.  The night was extremely cold, the ground was wet from the recent melting of snow, and everything conspired to make our position uncomfortable.  What transpired among our officers in command that night I know not, but there is reason to believe there were some grave consultations.  Gen. Smith was reported to have said that they would enter the breast-works the next day if he lost every man in his brigade.

Early next morning the right wing again commenced skirmishing, through to little effect.  Our forces on the left were beginning to be impatient of waiting and eager to be doing their share of the work, when suddenly Gen. Smith and Col. Lauman rode up and commanded the extreme left to prepare for action.  Our regiment sprang to their arms, and were soon in line of battle.  Every face beamed with joy and hope, and as Gen. Smith rode by he was greeted with cheers from the Iowa Second, when the General raised his hat and said, “Boys, there has got to be a desperate charge made, and I shall depend upon the Iowa Second to do it; now boys, show what you are made of.”  When he had finished, Col. Lauman (acting Brigadier General) waved his sword and said, “Boys, remember Belmont.”  We were ordered to take the breastworks at the point of the bayonet, and the regiment moved forward on quick time.  The road we were to travel was up a steep hill covered with fallen trees and brush, which the enemy had strewn there to impede our progress.  The boys rushed forward like mad men, yelling and shouting “forward boys, we will soon be in the breastworks.”

What difficulties we encountered in ascending that hill I cannot describe; our line was broken by the trees and brush, so that the left wing of the regiment was several paces in advance of the right.  The enemy did not open fire upon us until we were within a few paces of their breastworks.  The two companies from Davenport were first to climb the works and enter, when they were met by a tremendous volley of balls from the 2^nd Kentucky.  Then commenced the work of carnage; the balls whistled by our ears, and one by one, in quick succession, our brave comrades fell around us.  Our brave Captain turned to his company and, waving is sword shouted “Forward, boys! forward!”  The words had scarcely escaped his lips, when he was pierced through the groin by a rifle ball, and fell dead before his company.  His last words were “Forward, boys! forward!”  Soon after Capt. Cloutman, of Co. K, fell dead, pierced through the head.  Our company was maddened by the sight of their dead Captain, and sent volley after volley of musketry at the enemy who fled before us.  The firing continued some three quarters of an hour.  The rest of the brigade came up to reinforce us, though their movements were not as rapid as we could have wished.  After we had driven the enemy far within their works, we rallied behind the breastwork, and the artillery came up to our support.  When the breastworks were secured we commenced the heart-sickening work of carrying off the wounded from the field.  As we bore off our brave young Captain the boys gave vent to their feelings in tears of anguish, which showed how dearly they loved him.  You will be furnished with a list of the killed and wounded as soon as it can be made out.

Next morning, after some consultation, the fort was surrendered unconditionally, and the Second Iowa marched in at the head of the whole column of sixty thousand troops, and planted our colors on the highest battlements.

I intended to write more but the boat starts in a few moments.

I remain yours, &c.,

CHARLIE HILDRETH.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 2

From The Iowa 2d Regiment

FORT DONELSON, Tenn.,

Feb. 20 1862

EDITOR GAZETTE:– Last Thursday morning we found ourselves on the Cumberland river slowly approaching the scene of contest.  At ten o’clock we stopped to wood.  Col. Tuttle said “come boys” and in a moment a lively scene presented itself as officers and men all turned out to prevent our being delayed while wooding.  We all feared we would be too late to participate.  In a few moments we were on our way up the narrow deep stream, the trees on the bank putting forth their buds in the warm sunshine.  We thought we had seen the last of cold weather this winter.

Thursday night we arrived at our destination and felt grateful that we were allowed to remain on board till morning, as it had stormed, rained and snowed and frozen up in a manner that would have done credit to an Iowa climate.  We marched at once to the left wing of the assailing army, taking two days rations and leaving our knapsacks and blankets aboard the McGill.  You that have seen the cold blustering weather of Iowa can imagine our reflections as we flocked around our fires?  We had no axes and could not find much loose wood.  All night long it snowed and blowed and we bade sleep good-bye.  We were half frozen, and in the best kind of a humor to hurt somebody.

The next day passed gloomily away till about one o’clock when Col. Lauman and Gen. Smith appeared and the order was given to “fall in.”  We were informed that it was expected that the left wing of the 2d Iowa should take the outer works at a charge bayonet without firing a shot.

The order was given and we marched out in an open field and ranged in line of battle for the breastworks, half a mile distant.  We kept a good line until we were half way up the hill to the breastworks.  Here the timber had been felled and formed an almost impassible obstacle to a line of infantry.  Their fire opened upon us, when the boys rushed forward over logs and through the brush up the hill in a manner that would have given a gymnast credit.  Their fire was well aimed and took effect on many of our brave comrades.  George Howell, of company C, was the first to fall, and others followed rapidly.  Capt. Slaymaker fell some 25 yards from the breastworks and died most gloriously, flourishing his sword over his head as he raised upon his elbow, cheering his men forward, telling them to “Charge, Charge, go on, go on, give it to them,” until he expired.  Not for one moment did the column falter, but on they rushed leaping over their dying comrades regardless of their sufferings, of danger, of every thing but the  success of our arms.  Revolving rifles poured a shower of bullets into our ranks by direct and flank fire, from behind their embankments.  In fifteen minutes from the time we had the order to fall in our men were over the works, fighting a hand to hand fight with the few of the enemy that dared brave our bayonets.  The right wing soon came up and fired at us after we had carried their embankments.  Other regiments followed, but as we were in the advance I cannot tell anything of them.  Lieut. Holmes fell on the inside of the breastwork while in advance of the men and was carried from the field.  Sergeant Doolittle fell while gallantly carrying the colors with the advance.  Corporal of company I, raised the banner to support it but a moment, when he fell.  Corporal of company F, grasped it and raising it aloft, feeling at the time that he was sealing his death warrant.  It was a courageous action in one so young to hold his life so cheaply.

In a few moments the enemy had retreated through the woods to an inner work. – Some of the bravest lingered and fired from behind trees.  Numbers of men and officers had fallen.  We were reforming one line when Gen Smith. Came up and told the men, “that we could go through,” and asked if we would go.  He was answered by cheers, and away we went on the run across the hollow to the top of the next hill.  Here we halted and opened a fire on them taking aim and picking off the rebels from behind the trees.  The Col. was stunned by a cannon ball.  Maj. Chipman had been wounded in the beginning of the engagement and the few remaining officers could not control the men if they had wished to. – The enemy had adopted the Indian style of fighting, and the 2d soon convinced them that that was a game that was understood by all parties.

No one is conscious of such music as we heard that day, except those who have been on the battle field.  The cannon ball, grape shot, Minnie ball and musket ball, each as a tone of its own.  Not for a moment did it cease, and many a note was sounded much closer to our ears than was agreeable.  Yet all were cool, loading and firing with precision.  Men fell dead without a groan while their comrades fought on as if it were an every day affair.  Lieut. Bing held his ear close to a soldier’s mouth to hear what he had to say, a Minnie ball whistled between them, cutting the Lieut’s hair.  The sentence remained unfinished.  The artillery was brought up and our men were withdrawn to the breastworks, while our cannon opened on their batteries. – Then we carried off our noble Capt.

We held our position till night when hostilities ceased.  The 2d remained all night and thought that that was the severest part of our work.  All needed sleep, but there we stood, no supper and shivered and stamped our feet all night long.  It was a beautiful night, with the full moon in a clear sky, but so cold that our whiskers were gray with white frost and filled with ice.  It was a long night, but not for a moment would we think of leaving what had cost us so dear.  Our left wing made the charge.  We alone had driven them from their works and held them until reinforcements could be brought up.

The 7th Iowa, 14th Iowa, 25th Indiana, and 52d Illinois were on hand, but the enemy did not attempt to make a charge on us.  Our presence, after one bayonet charge, was all that was required to hold the position.  The enemy was completely discouraged.  Sunday morning we prepared to try the next fortress, having replenished our cartridge-boxes.  Cheer after cheer went up from the enemy’s camp.  Far away over the hills we heard their shouts, and supposed that reinforcements had forced through the lines above us to their relief.  Judge of our surprise when an officer came, as fast as his horse could run, shouting, “They have surrendered!”  Shout after shout went up as he passed, loud enough to wake the dead.  Would that it had but for a moment, that they might know that they were not sacrificed for Liberty’s cause in vain.  What joy filled our hearts when we were ordered to lead the army into the fort, and plant our banner on its ramparts.  It was a greater honor than we had dared hope to win; and when we beheld it flying aloft of their white flag, we experienced the greatest pleasure imaginable.  The Confederates appeared joyous, and received us with cheers, and as we filed back past our troops, regiment after regiment cheered for the 2d Iowa.

Sunday night we slept soundly in the log huts within the fort.  Our killed all died in a few moments, with the exception of Capt. Slaymaker, all were buried on the battle-field, on the top of the hill.  Their graves are marked by a board, bearing name, camp, and regiment.  Our men all died bravely.  Not a shriek nor groan mingled with the din of battle.  They dying quietly expired, and the wounded were borne from the field without the least exhibition of their great suffering.  Their bravery detracted much from the horrors of the scene.  It was not like the many descriptions of battles that I have read.  But for the pools of blood we might have supposed our comrades were sleeping.

Sunday morning I for a few moments left the company as they stood on the breastworks, and strolled over the battle ground.  It wanted some hours of day and the full moon shone peacefully upon the [corpses].  I have read of the glaring eyes and gaping mouth of dead soldiers, but here lay my friends asleep; the eyes are closed, the mouth retains its natural position.  This is not like the dead of our homestead.  I could not but kneel by some of those that I thought must still be alive, but their foreheads were cold; they slept the sleep that knows no waking.  There in the silent repose lay friend and foe side by side.

One of the rebels, a religious character, saw their fire take deadly effect on our little band of 300 men, saw them rush boldly into what appeared certain death.  His heart failed him and he was convinced that they were in the right or they would not face death in that manner.  He surrendered, when he might have escaped.  While planting our flag on the fort a negro remarked to his master, “Why massa, you said these ar’ folks is Yankees and they jes looks like you is.” From what he had heard he supposed we were men in the form of demons.  We have possession of Clarksville, and the 2d will move their [sic] tomorrow.

N. A. H.,

Company C, 2d Iowa.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 2

Additional from Fort Donelson

FT. DONELSON via CAIRO, Feb. 17.

Two more regiments were captured to-day, and the rest of the entrenchments, and a number of troops have come in and gave themselves up.

About 12,000 stand of small arms have been taken.  Many of the rebel troops destroyed their arms, and large numbers were thrown in the river.

There are two water batteries – the upper one with the heavy rifled 32-pounders, two 32 lb carronades; the lower contains eight 32- pounders and one 10-inch columbiad, mounted on embrasures.

Two thousand bbls. of flour and twelve hundred boxes of beef with a large amount of other provisions were captured.

All of to-day has been occupied in embarking prisoners and gathering up stores of munitions and burying the dead.  There are a great number of dead rebels still unburied, as it has been thrown upon our men to do.

Capt. Logan, aid to Gen. Grant, goes to Clarksville to-morrow under flag of truce, with the bodies of two Colonels, and to effect an exchange of our wounded prisoners who have been sent to Nashville.

Gen. Grant received the official notice last night of the creation of a new military district – the district of Western Tennessee, – of which he is appointed commander, with headquarters at Fort Donelson.

Gen. Grant’s staff remains at present, with Maj. W. W. Leland attached as chief of commissary.

Ashland’s cavalry and Willard’s battery suffered no loss in killed.  Taylor’s battery acted nobly and was charged on five times on Sunday evening, every time repulsing the enemy with great slaughter.

Among the killed are the following officers: Capt. Wilson, Lieuts. Marsh, Sheats, Howell and Monroe of the 8th Ills.; Capt. Shaw, Sergt. Bendard of the 19th; Adjt. Kirkpatrick of the 30th.

Cols. John A. Logan, M. K. Lawler and Lt. Col. Ransam are but slightly wounded.

Maj. Post, who was reported killed was wounded and taken prisoner.

Capt. J. S. Slaymaker, of the 2d Iowa, was killed.

The Confirmation of Gen. C. F. Smith was received with great satisfaction by the soldiers.  His gallant charge of Saturday has made him deservedly popular among his men.

Gen. S. A. Hurlburt (sic) reported for duty to Gen. Grant this evening and has been assigned a division.

It is currently reported that Gov. Harris of Tenn., has ordered all Tennessee to lay down their arms.

The greatest indignation exists among the prisoners against Pillow and Floyd.

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 17.

The great fire, which was seen up the river from this point last night, was the burning fo the Tennessee rolling mills, some four miles from here, by our gunboats.  The works have been used by the rebels for the manufacture of shot and shell, and other materials of war.  It was an extensive concern.

Our soldiers have been engaged to-day in burying the dead on the battlefield.  The rebel dead will also be decently interred.  The spectacle on the field is a horrible one.

Gen. Grant has promulgated the most stringent orders against plundering from inhabitants, and also against stealing property taken in battle, all of which belongs to the government.

Before surrendering the rebels threw all their late mails into the river.   Col. Markland, U. S. Postal Director, succeeded, however, in seizing a number of mail bags and some outside letters, supposed to contain important information.

Floyd’s brigade when taking their departure threw their arms into the river to prevent them from falling into our hands, as they expected to be caught by our gunboats.  Their arms were Minie rifles of the best kind.  The crews of our gun-boats are now engaged in fishing them out of the river.

Capt. Dickson, the rebel chief of artillery and the engineer who constructed the fortifications here, was killed in the bombardment of Friday in one of his own batteries.  He is represented to have been a superior officer, and a great strength of the fortifications here attest the truth of this representation.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 1

Particulars of the Terrible Battle at Fort Donelson

The Troops Engaged.

Daring Bravery of the Iowa Boys.

The 2d and 7th Iowa Charge at the Point of the Bayonet.

They are the First to mount the Enemy’s Works.

The Correspondence relative to the Surrender.

BATTLE-FIELD NEAR FT. DONELSON,

February 16.

A most bloody battle was fought yesterday on the right wing of our force in the rear of the enemy’s works, in which the first and second brigades of Gen. McClernand’s division were engaged.  The fights commenced at daylight by the enemy firing some grape into the 31st & 29th Illinois regiments, which were encamped near the right.  The west brigade, Col. R. I. Oglesby commanding, was immediately drawn up in line, after the following order – the 18th Illinois, Col. Lander, on the extreme right; 8th Ills., Lieut. Col. Rhodes commanding; 38th Ills., Lieut. Col. Dennis commanding, followed by the 29th, Col. Reardon, which supported the right of Stewart’s battery of light artillery, with the 31st, Col. John A. Logan, on the extreme left and supporting the left of Stewart’s battery – all Illinois regiments.

The second brigade, Col. W H. Wallace commanding, consisted of the 11th, Lieut. Col. Ransom in command; 20th, Col. C. Carroll Marsh, and 45th – all Illinois regiments – with McAllister’s and Taylor’s batteries, and four siege guns.  The attacking force of the enemy was about 12,000 men.  The position of the ground was such that not more than one of our regiments could operate at the same time, while the rebels could bring nearly their whole force to bear against us.

The first regiment to receive the rebels was the 18th, which fought with a desperate courage until their ammunition became exhausted, when they were forced to retire with a loss of officers and men, and were replaced by the 8th regiment, which fought with like bravery, but they, too, were driven back after disbursing their ammunition and in turn were replaced by the 18th, which also fell back in turn.  Meanwhile the other regiments were lending such feeble aid as their position would admit.

Lew Wallace was then ordered to reinforce McClernand, and he sent two brigades of his division from the center.

The 31st regiment, Col. Logan, fought like veterans who never had any other occupation, and struggled, defending Capt. Schwartz’s battery, under the most galling fire of the enemy, until every horse at the battery was killed, with the officers who had charge of the guns, as well as Lieut. Col. White.

Capt. Rigby, acting Major, and seven Captains, and a number of Lieutenants, of the 31st had been killed, with Col. Logan wounded.

Being nearly surrounded by the rebels, Capt. Edwin S. Cook, who was left in command, drew the regiment, or what remained of it, off the field; but not until their last round was expended, and they had commenced to drive the rebels before them.

The second brigade now came up and took the place of the retired one and fought desperately, loosing a great number in killed and wounded, when, with the assistance of a portion of Wallace’s division, the 49th and 59th Ohio, with Taylor’s battery, which was stationed on a hill near by us, the rebels came up they opened fire upon them and drove a portion of them back into their entrenchments, while a large portion still occupied the ground they had gained.  The object of the rebels was evidently to cut their way through our troops.

In the afternoon Gen. Grant saw that something should be done to restore the spirits of our disheartened troops, and ordered Gen. Smith to make an assault on the west wing of the enemy’s works.  Gen. Smith, as quick as horse flesh could carry him, rode along his lines, and ordered his men to prepare for a charge, which caused shouts of joy to ring along his lines.  Without a moment’s unnecessary delay, Col. Lauman’s brigade – the 2d and 7th Iowa, and the 11th and 25th Indiana – charged up to the enemy’s redoubt, driving the rebels before them at the point of the bayonet like frightened sheep, and gaining possession of their outworks.

Gen. Smith behaved like one inspired with the determination of gaining continual victories.  He could be seen riding along the lines, with his hat swinging on the top of his sword, in the thickest of the fight, encouraging his men and cheering them on to victory, regardless of the deadly missiles flying around him.

The Colonel of the 2d Iowa was the first to mount the enemy’s works with his men close in his wake.

The storming was complete.  Our troops gained a position inside of their works when they lay on their arms all night, prepared to follow up their success in the morning.

The 7th Illinois, Col. Cook, followed up as a reserve and part of his regiment got into the action, while the balance acted as skirmishers with the sharpshooters.  After Gen. Smith had gained his position inside the entrenchments Gen. Grant sent word of his success to the right wing and ordered Gen. McClernand and Wallace to return their attack, when the 1st and 2d brigades, which had been in the bloody affair in the morning, with McClernand’s division and 2d brigade of Wallace’s division, made a fresh assault upon the enemy, regained the ground they had lost and pushed forward close to the left of their fortifications, and then lay on their arms prepared to act in concert with Gen. Smith’s column this Sunday morning, when a most desperate attempt will be made to carry the whole of the rebels batteries and fortifications.

We will either be in possession of the fort this noon, or suffer the most bloody defeat that ever befell an army.  It is now six o’clock and yet I have heard no firing of any account this morning.  There appears to be a lull that is not understood.

The following are among the killed and wounded.  Killed – Lt. Col. Smith, 48th Illinois; Lt. Col. Cowan, 20th Illinois; Lt. Col. White, 31st Ill.  Wounded – Col. John A. Logan, 31st Illinois, slightly; Col. M. K. Lawless, 18th Ill., slightly; Col. O. Carroll Marsh, 20th Ill, slightly; Col. W. R. Morrison, 49th Ill., slightly; Lt. Col. Ransom, 11th Ill., slightly.

SECOND DISPATCH.

FORT DONELSON, Feb. 16.

Fort Donelson is ours.  The garrison, consisting of 15,000 men, and Gens. Buckner and Johnson, surrendered to Gen. Grant this morning.  Our troops now occupy the fort.

Floyd and Pillow have escaped.  Some say that Floyd was shot by his own men in attempting to do so.  Particulars will follow this as soon as they can be obtained.

The number of cannon captured is 48 field pieces, and 17 heavy guns in position; also, and incalculable amount of quartermaster and commissary stores.

THIRD DISPATCH.

FT. DONELSON, Feb. 16.

The force of the rebels quartered here according to the statement of their Adjutant General, was 25,000.  This whole force, with the exception of four regiments which escaped last night and those lost in action, have fallen into our hands.

The General Johnson taken is Gen. D. B. [sic] Johnson, of Tennessee.

The loss of the rebels in yesterday’s fight, according to their own accounts, range from 8,000 to 10,000.

As many of the prisoners as can be carried will immediately be sent to Cairo, in charge of Capt. W. S. [Hillyer], aid to Gen. Grant.

The following correspondence passed between Gen. Grant, commanding the Federal forces and Gen. S. B Buckner, commanding the Confederates:

GEN. BUCKNER TO GEN. GRANT.

HEADQUARTERS, FT. DONELSON,

Feb. 16.

SIR: – In consideration of all the circumstances governing the present situation of  affairs at this station, I propose to the commanding officer of the federal forces the appointment of commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and post under my command, and in that view suggest an armistice until 2 o’clock to-day.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your ob’t serv’t,

S. B. BUCKNER,

Brig. Gen’l C. S. A.

To Brig. Gen’l U. S. GRANT, Brig. Gen’l U. S. A.

LETTER OF INSTRUCITON TO THE BEARER OF THE DISPATCH.

HEADQUARTERS, FORT DONELSON,

February 16th.

Maj. Crosby will take or send by an officer to the nearest picket of the enemy, the accompanying communication to Gen. Grant and request information of the point where future communication will reach him.  Also inform him that my headquarters will be for the present in Dover.

S. B. BUCKNER.

P. S. Have the white flag hoisted on Ft. Donelson, not on the battery.

(Signed,)

S. B. BUCKNER,

Brig. Gen.

GEN GRANT’S REPLY.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD,

NEAR FT. DONELSON, Feb. 16.

To Gen. Buckner, Confederate Army:

Yours of this date, proposing an armistice and appointment of commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received.  No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender will be accepted.  I propose to move immediately upon your works.

I am very respectfully, Your ob’t serv’t,

(Signed,)

U. S. GRANT,

Brig.-Gen. Commanding.

GEN. BUCKNER’S LETTER OF SURRENDER.

Headquarters, Dover, Tenn., Feb. 16.

Brig. Gen. Grant, U. S. A. – Sir:  The distribution of the forces under my command incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose.  I am, dear sir, your very ob’t servant.

S. B. BUCKNER,

Brig. Gen. C. S. A.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 2