Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Saturday, February 15, 1862

It snowed again last night, but this morning the sky is clear; the clouds have disappeared, and the sunlight is seen again on the Cumberland hills. How cheeringly does it fall around the weary soldiers. It is indeed a blessing sent from heaven, for Grant and his army. But hark! we hear the rattle of musketry. It comes from the right wing. Soon we learn that Lawman's [sic], McArthur's and Oglesby's brigades are engaged. The battle is now raging furiously. Our regiment is ordered to hasten to the left: Down the ravines, over the hills and across the abattis, the Seventh, led by the brave Colonel Babcock, and cheered by the gallant Rowett, go thundering on to where the wild battle storm rages. Arriving at the scene of action, we find the Second Iowa and an Indiana regiment in position near the enemy's works, breasting manfully a rebel battery playing upon them from a hill inside the outer works. Rushing into the conflict, Colonel Babcock forms the regiment under the galling fire. At this moment the veteran General Smith, moving through the fearful storm, draws rein to his charger in front of the Seventh, and says to Colonel Babcock, “I never saw a regiment make such grand movements under such a fire in all my military life as your's has just made. Colonel, I thank God for your command at this moment. Charge that rebel battery! charge it with your steel and silence its work of death !” The Seventh's bayonets are soon up and bristling. The battle is now raging furiously. The general casts his eyes towards the west, and beholding the sun fast sinking towards the horizon's bar, he turns to Colonel Babcock and says, “I countermand the order given you to charge that battery. It is now too late; I will leave that work for you to do to-morrow." The direful death-dealing elements are still flying thick and fast. The Seventh is now baring its bosom against the angry storm. Its colors are planted and flying over the works. Simultaneously with the Second Iowa the Seventh Illinois pass over the outer works, but they go no farther; the rebel batteries' deadly sweeps check them. The gallant Iowa boys claim the honor of being the first to scale Fort Donelson's walls. They claim it rightly, too, and history will award to them the honor of being a little ahead of the Seventh Illinois. As it is said the brave are always generous, the Seventh Illinois will demonstrate it by giving the Iowa boys the credit of what they claim, feeling assured at the same time that they will give the Seventh Illinois the credit of being with them very soon after they scaled the defenses, when together we drove the rebels back in confusion. Night now comes on, putting a stop to the carnival of blood. It is dark now, though as we look around we can see, faintly, the bodies of the gallant dead. It is indeed heart rending to see how many noble men have perished, and to see how many are wounded and how many are dying. Blood from thousands has flowed to-day, and as the sun went down it shed its light upon the field, adding beauty and hallowed glory to the crimson life blood flowing from the Anglo Saxon's heart, down through rippling rills and gurgling brooks to where the beautiful Cumberland flows.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 33-5

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, February 16, 1862

This morning we still occupy the position gained last evening. There is no firing this morning. Why this quiet? Why this stillness? The enemy may be preparing for a more determined resistance. But no, there is a truce! Grant is now holding communication with the rebel General Buckner. Buckner gives terms upon which he will surrender. Grant says, “No, I demand an unconditional surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works.” He waits for an answer. All are in suspense now. Go with me to yonder elevation; look eastward; the sun is far on its journey, while over the broad land church bells are ringing; and while the loyal people are breathing a prayer to heaven for the army and navy, fifty thousand warriors are being drawn up in line of battle. Away yonder in the woods, we see the General moving, followed by his staff, and in the language of Campbell in his description of the battle of the Baltic,

“As their war steeds went surging on their path,

There was silence deep as death,

And the boldest held his breath

       For a time.”

But hark! what mean those shouts that come rolling down the line? “Fort Donelson is ours!" The rebel flag has been lowered, and afar we see the white flag waving. An unconditional surrender has been made of the whole rebel force and munitions of war. With colors flying and drums beating, we pass into Fort Donelson. Our quarters to-night are those lately occupied by the rebels. The Seventh feels good, knowing that they have helped to gain a brilliant victory, adding new glory to the old flag.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 35-6

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday and Tuesday, February 10 & 11, 1862

Troops are landing all the while, from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The great northwest seem to be flocking in. The Seventh move their camp back in the woods and pitch their tents on high ground. We are more comfortable now; not so much crowded. We are out where the free winds blow. It is rumored that General Grant designs moving upon the rebels in their stronghold at Fort Donelson. We may advance soon. Ere another sun shall have been far on its journey, the army perhaps will be tramping, and while it is drifting on its path, may the God of heaven who smiled upon Europe's great battle fields, smile upon the army of the Republic as she flings her banners to the wind and battles for the world's last hope, for liberty, fidelity, and truth.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 29

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 17, 1863

Too many Slapjacks cause a soldier to dream of a feast at home.

On the road to Vicksburg, resolved to capture the city or get badly whipped. We have not known defeat since we left Fort Donelson, and we propose to keep our good record up. We have seen hard times on some hotly contested fields, but mean to have nothing but victory, if possible, on our banner.

The advance of our army has made a grand sweep, paaell-mell, over the rebel works at Big Black River, routing the foe and capturing twenty-five hundred prisoners with twenty-nine cannon. Their rifle pits were quite numerous, but they were all on low ground, so that when the word was given the Yankees rushed over them with the greatest ease. The rebs may be drawing us into a trap, but as yet we have not a moments' fear of the result, for when Grant tells us to go over a thing we go, and feel safe in going. Even in time of peace we would not wish the great curtain that hides the future to be rolled away, nor do soldiers now ask to know what lies before them. But every day brings new scenes fraught with dangers, hair-breadth escapes or death, after which the ranks close and move on undaunted. And our love of country still grows as we go.

We camped within a few miles of Black River, perfectly satisfied, though we have had no hand in the slaughter to-day. We rather expected to be halted a few days at the river, where the enemy would surely be strongly fortified, and where, as they could certainly spare the greater part of their forces from Vicksburg if they would but bring them out, they could make a desperate stand.  We are now fighting hard for our grub, since we have nothing left but flour, and slapjacks lie to heavy on a soldier’s stomach. But there is great consolation in reflecting that behind us Uncle Sam keeps piled a bountiful supply all ready to be issued as soon as we can find a proper halting place.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 25-6

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Major-General George B. McClellan, February 7, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,         

Saint Louis, February 7, 1862.

Fort Henry was taken yesterday, with seventeen heavy guns, General Lloyd Tilghman and staff, and 60 men, after a bombardment of one hour and a quarter by gunboats. General Grant's cavalry and gunboats in pursuit of the remainder of the garrison, who have abandoned artillery on the road. Our loss, killed, wounded, and scalded by destruction of boiler of the Essex, 44. Captain Porter is badly but not dangerously scalded. General C. F. Smith has possession of the enemy's redan on the western bank of the Tennessee. General Grant's infantry and artillery have gone to attack Fort Donelson at Dover, on the Cumberland. The gunboats not disabled are moving up the Tennessee. Commodore Foote, with disabled gunboats, has returned to Cairo—gunboats for repairs; will soon return to the field. Enemy's loss not known.

H. W. HALLECK,    

Major-General, Commanding.

Major-General MCCLELLAN.

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. 120

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Brigadier-General Ulysses S. Grant, January 30, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,         

Saint Louis, January 30, 1862.

Brig. Gen. U.S. GRANT,

Cairo, Ill.:

SIR: You will immediately prepare to send forward to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, all your available forces from Smithland, Paducah, Cairo, Fort Holt, Bird's Point, &c. Sufficient garrisons must be left to hold these places against an attack from Columbus. As the roads are almost impassable for large forces, and as your command is very deficient in transportation, the troops will be taken in steamers up the Tennessee River as far as practicable. Supplies will also be taken up in steamers as far as possible. Flag-Officer Foote will protect the transports with his gunboats. The Benton and perhaps some others should be left for the defense of Cairo. Fort Henry should be taken and held at all hazards. I shall immediately send you three additional companies of artillery from this place.

The river front of the fort is armed with 20-pounders, and it may be necessary for you to take some guns of large caliber and establish a battery on the opposite side of the river. It is believed that the guns on the land side are of small caliber and can be silenced by our field artillery. It is said that the north side of the river below the fort is favorable for landing. If so, you will land and rapidly occupy the road to Dover and fully invest the place, so as to cut off the retreat of the garrison. Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson, U.S. Engineers, will immediately report to you, to act as chief engineer of the expedition. It is very probable that an attempt will be made from Columbus to re-enforce Fort Henry; also from Fort Donelson at Dover. If you can occupy the road to Dover you can prevent the latter. The steamers will give you the means of crossing from one side of the river to the other. It is said that there is a masked battery opposite the island below Fort Henry. If this cannot be avoided or turned it must be taken.

Having invested Fort Henry, a cavalry force will be sent forward to break up the railroad from Paris to Dover. The bridges should be rendered impassable, but not destroyed.

A telegram from Washington says that Beauregard left Manassas four days ago with fifteen regiments for the line of Columbus and Bowling Green. It is therefore of the greatest importance that we cut that line before he arrives. You will move with the least delay possible. You will furnish Commodore Foote with a copy of this letter. A telegraph line will be extended as rapidly as possible from Paducah, east of the Tennessee River, to Fort Henry. Wires and operators will be sent from Saint Louis.

H. W. HALLECK,    

Major-general.

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. 121-2

Details of the Bombardment and Capture of Fort Henry. Incidents, &c., February 10, 1862

The Cincinnati Gazette and Commercial’s Cairo correspondence give the following account of the bombardment and capture of Fort Henry:

Yesterday, (February 6,) at 12½ p. m. the gunboats Cincinnati, St. Louis, Carondelet, and Essex, the Tyler, Conestoga and Lexington bringing up the rear, advanced boldly against the rebel works, going to the right of Painter Creek Island, immediately above where, on the east shore of the river, stands the fortifications, and keeping out of range till at the head of the island, and within a mile of the enemy, passing the enemy in full view of the rebel guns.  We steadily advanced, every man at quarters, ever ear strained to catch the flag-officer’s signal-gun for the commencement of the action.

Our line of battle was on the left, the St. Louis next, the Carondelet next, the Cincinnati, (for the time being the flag ship, having on board Flag officer Foote,) and the next the Essex.  We advanced in line, the Cincinnati a boat’s length ahead, when at 11:30 the Cincinnati opened the ball, and immediately the three accompanying boats followed suit.  The enemy was not backward, and gave an admirable response, and the fight raged furiously for half an hour.  We steadily advanced, receiving and returning the storm of shot and shell, when getting within three hundred yards of the enemy’s works we came to a stand, and poured into him right and left.  In the meantime the Essex had been disabled, and drifted away from the scene of action, leaving the Cincinnati, Carondelet and St. Louis alone engaged.

As precisely forty minutes past one, the enemy struck his colors—and such cheering, such wild excitement, as seized the throats, arms, or caps, of the four or five hundred sailors of the gunboats can be imagined.  After the surrender, which was made to Flag-officer Foote by Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, who defended the fort in a most determined manner, we found that the rebel infantry encamped outside the fort, numbering four or five thousand, had cut and run, leaving the rebel artillery company in command of the fort.

The fort mounted seventeen guns, most of them 32-pounders, one being a magnificent 10-inch columbiad.  Our shots dismounted two of their guns, driving the enemy into the embrasures.  One of their rifled 32-pounders burst during the engagement, wounding some of their gunners.  The rebels claimed to have but eleven effective guns worked by fifty-four men—the numbers all told of our prisoners.  They lost five killed and ten badly wounded.  The infantry left everything in their flight.  A vast deal of plunder has fallen into our hands, including a large and valuable quantity of ordnance stores.

Gen. Tilghman is disheartened.  He thinks it one of the most damaging blows of the war.  In surrendering to Flag-officer Foote, the rebel General remarked, “I am glad to surrender to so gallant an officer.”  Flag-officer Foote replied, “You do perfectly right, sir, in surrendering; but you should have blown my boat out of the water before I would have surrendered to you.”

In the engagement the Cincinnati was in the lead, and flying the flag officer’s pennant, was the chief mark.  Flagg-officer Foote and Capt. Stembel crowded her defiantly into the teeth of the enemy’s guns.  She got thirty-one shots, some of them going completely through her.

The Essex was badly crippled when about half through the fight, and crowding steadily against the enemy.  A ball went into her side-forward port, through the heavy bulkhead, escaping steam scalding and killing several of the crew.  Captain Porter, his aid, L. P. Britton, Jr[.], and Paymaster Lewis, were standing in a direct line of the balls passing, Mr. Britton being in the centre of the group.  A shot struck Mr. Britton on the top of his head, scattering his brains in every direction.  The escaping steam went into the pilot-house, instantly killing Mr. Ford and Mr. Bride, pilots.  Many of the soldiers, at the rush of steam, jumped overboard and were drowned.

The Cincinnati had one killed and six wounded.  The Essex had six seamen and two officers killed, seventeen men wounded and five missing.  There were no casualties on the St. Louis or Carondelet, though the shot and shell fell upon them like rain.

The St. Louis was commanded by Leonard Paulding, who stood upon the gunboat and wrought the guns to the last.  Not a man flinched, and with cheer upon cheer sent the shot and shell among the enemy.

THE REBELS NOT TRUE.—It is reported, and believed at Paducah, that the rebel troops at Fort Henry were not true to the rebel cause and took advantage of the opportunity offered by an attack to run away from a fight that was distasteful to them.

IT WAS A NAVAL VICTORY.—It appears that this victory was entirely a navel one—the troops of the expedition not having come up to the scene of action until the rebels had surrendered.  The gunboats engaged are a part of those strong iron-clad river boats, or turtles, which were built within the last few months, at, St. Louis, Carondelet and other points and which were originally destined for Gen. Fremont’s expedition down the Mississippi.  Commodore Foote mentions nine of these vessels as having been in the engagement.

ARMAMENT OF THE GUNBOATS.—The Essex, 9 guns, Commander H. [sic] D. Porter, U. S. N.; Carondelet, 13 guns, Commander H. Walke, U. S. N.; Cincinnati, 13 Guns, Commander R. N. Stembel, U. S. N.; St. Louis, 13 guns, Lieutenant Commanding Leonard Paulding, U. S. N.; Conestoga, 9 guns, Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, U. S. N.; Taylor [sic], 9 guns, Lieutenant Commanding W. Gwin, U. S. N.; Lexington, 9 guns, Lieutenant Commanding J. W. Shirk, U. S. N.

The boats are built very wide, in proportion to their length, giving them almost the same steadiness in action that a stationary land battery would possess.  They are constructed upon the same principle as the famous iron battery at Charleston, the sides sloping both upward and downward from the water line, at an angle of 45 degrees.  The bow battery on each boat consists of solid oak timber 26 inches in thickness, plated on the exterior surface with iron 2½ inches thick.  The side and stern batteries are somewhat thinner, but have the same thickness of iron over that portion covering the machinery.  The boats are not plated on the roof which consists of a 2½ inch plank.

The most dreadfully savage contrivance upon these boats is that to prevent boarding.  Each boat is supplied with a number of large hose-pipes for throwing hot water from the boilers with a force of 200 pounds pressure to the square inch.  Any human being who shall encounter this terrible stream of hot water will be boiled in an instant.

The Conestoga, Taylor [sic] and Lexington are not of the same model or character as the others, being simply Mississippi River steamboats rebuilt with perpendicular bulwarks and pierced for guns.

VALUE OF THE VICTORY.—There is another and stronger rebel fort on the Cumberland, a few miles eastward of the scene of our present victory; but considering the fact that our troops are now in the rear of that fort, and learning, as we do, from the West, the movement that is on the lapis to bring it down as suddenly as Fort Henry has been brought down, we look upon the victory we have gained as being full and complete, as regards the object in view.  Look at the map at that part of Tennessee where Fort Henry is located, and at that point of the Memphis and Ohio railroad which our troops now hold, and see how far we have penetrated in the rear of Bowling Green—see how far in the rear of Columbus—how convenient we are for sweeping down on the railroad to Memphis—see how near we now are to Nashville—and how Nashville is located to the whole State of Tennessee, and that again to the whole of the rebel States of the Southwest, and some idea will be had of the value of the present advance and victory.

COMMODORE FOOTE has been in the naval service over forty years.  He is known in the navy as one of its most efficient officers, and distinguished himself greatly in China by the bombardment and breaching of a Chinese fort, the fort, in all respects, a superior work of masonry.  The feat called forth the praise of all foreign naval officers on that coast.  Commodore Foote is an affable gentleman, and as will be seen by his reply to the rebel Tilghman, never surrenders.

CAPT. PORTER.—Capt. Porter, of the gunboat Essex, who is reported as badly scalded by the bursting of his boat’s boiler, is a native of Louisiana, but entered the navy from Massachusetts in 1823.  He is a son of the renowned Commodore Porter, who figured so prominently in the war of 1812.  He has been thirty-eight years in the service, and has seen twelve years sea duty.  When the Mississippi flotilla was projected, he was detailed to the command of a gunboat.  The Captain christened his boat the Essex, after his father’s renowned vessel, and judging from precedent, Capt. Porter is the “bull-dog,” or fighting man of this expedition.  He has Dahlgren guns for his armament, and delights in “shelling.”  He worked prodigiously getting his boat ready, and since then he has been cruising around, stirring up the rebels wherever he could find them.

GEN. TILGHMAN, the traitor who commanded at Fort Henry, was graduated at West Point, and made brevet second Lieutenant in the First dragoons in 1836, but shortly after resigned, and became division engineer on the Baltimore and Susquehanna railroad, and afterward on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.  In the Mexican war, he re-entered the service as volunteer aid-de-camp to Colonel Twiggs, and was present at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de Palma.  He commanded a volunteer regiment  till October, 1846, and in January, 1847, was made superintendent of the defences of Matamoras; finally he acted as captain of volunteer artillery in Hughes’ regiment from August, 1847, till July, 1848.  At the close of the war he again entered civil live, and was chosen principal assistant engineer in the Panama Isthmus railroad.  On the breaking out of the war, he was acting railroad engineer, but joined the rebels, and was appointed to command at Fort Henry, where he has been ingloriously captured.

SOURCE: The National Republican, Washington, D.C., Monday, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 19, 1863

Bright and cold. A resolution passed Congress, calling on the President to report the number of men of conscript age removed from the Quartermaster's and Commissary's Departments, in compliance with the act of last session. The Commissary-General, in response, refers only to clerks—none of whom, however, it seems have been removed.

Capt. Alexander, an officer under Gen. Winder, in charge or Castle Thunder (prison), has been relieved and arrested for malfeasance, etc.

Gen. C. J. McRae, charged with the investigation of the accounts of Isaacs, Campbell & Co., London, with Major Huse, the purchasing agent of Col. J. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, reports irregularities, overcharges, etc., and recommends retention of gold and cotton in this country belonging to I., C. & Co.

Mr. ——— informed me to-day that he signed a contract with the Commissary-General last night to furnish meat on the Mississippi in Tennessee, in exchange for cotton. He told me that the proposition was made by the Federal officers, and will have their connivance, if not the connivance of Federal functionaries in Washington, interested in the speculation. Lieut.-Col. Ruffin prefers trading with the enemy at New Orleans.

It is rumored that Mr. Seddon will resign, and be succeeded by Gov. Letcher; notwithstanding Hon. James Lyons asserted in public (and it appears in the Examiner to-day) that Gov. L. told Gen. J. R. Anderson last year, subsequent to the fall of Donelson, "he was still in favor of the Union."

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 117

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney: Friday, June 30, 1865

Bosworth left for home. I read paper and books. Drew Longfellow's Poems and Carleton's “Days and Nights on the Battlefield.” Enjoyed reading it. How near Gen. Grant came to losing everything at Fort Donaldson and Shiloh. Played five games of chess with Mrs. Forbes.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 168

Diary of Colonel Jacob Ammen, April 5, 1862

Marched 9½ miles over bad roads, and reached Savannah, Tenn., before 12 m. General Grant was not at his headquarters (Savannah), and no one to give orders. General Nelson ordered me to go into camp. The-Tenth Brigade encamped on the southwest side of the town, about half to three-fourths of a mile from the brick house on the river (headquarters). About 3 p. m. General Grant and General Nelson came to my tent. General Grant declined to dismount, as he had an engagement. In answer to my remark that our troops were not fatigued and could march on to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., if necessary, General Grant said, “You cannot march through the swamps; make the troops comfortable; I will send boats for you Monday or Tuesday, or some time early in the week. There will be no fight at Pittsburg Landing; we will have to go to Corinth, where the rebels are fortified. If they come to attack us, we can whip them, as I have more than twice as many troops as I had at Fort Donelson. Be sure and call at the brick house on the river to-morrow evening, as I have an engagement for this evening.” He and General Nelson then rode off. General Buell arrived about sundown. I called on him at his headquarters, about a quarter of a mile from my tent. The Nineteenth and Twenty-second Brigades encamped near the road before reaching the town. I was not at these camps. As the division is to remain here some days, I issue orders to the Tenth Brigade for review and inspection, to take place Sunday, April 6, 9 a. m.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 10, Part 1 (Serial No. 10), p. 330-1

Release of Rebel Prisoners

The Secretary of War has, it is stated issued an order stopping the release or parole of prisoners taken at Fort Donelson.  It is known that an agreement for the exchange of prisoners was made some weeks ago, under the direction of the Secretary of War, by General Wool with General Cobb, by which all of our prisoners were to be delivered the next day under a flag of truce.  A boat was sent to receive them, but no prisoners were brought down. The same was repeated for two days without success.  Explanations were demanded by Gen. Wool, but none were furnished.  Pending this breach of faith by the rebels all release or exchange will be refused by our Government.

SOURCE: “Release of Rebel Prisoners,” The Nashville Daily Union, Nashville, Tennessee, Sunday, April 13, 1862, p. 1

Brigadier-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, February 6, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO,                      

Fort Henry, February 6, 1862.

Fort Henry is ours. The gunboats silenced the batteries before the investment was completed. I think the garrison must have commenced the retreat last night. Our cavalry followed, finding two guns abandoned in the retreat.

I shall take and destroy Fort Donelson on the 8th and return to Fort Henry.

U.S. GRANT,

Brigadier-General.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,

Saint Louis, Mo.

SOURCES: 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. 124; Alexis Cope, The Fifteenth Ohio Volunteers and Its Campaigns: War of 1861-5, p. 70.

Major-General George B. McClellan to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, February 7, 1862 — 7:15 p.m.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY, February 7, 1862—7.15 p.m.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo.:

Dispatch received. I congratulate you upon the result of your operations. They have caused the utmost satisfaction here. I would not undertake a dash at Columbus now. Better devote everything towards turning it; first collecting a sufficient force near Forts Henry and Donelson to make success sure.

Either Buell or yourself should soon go to the scene of operations. Why not have Buell take the line of Tennessee and operate on Nashville, while your troops turn Columbus? Those two points gained, a combined movement on Memphis will be next in order. The bridges at Tuscumbia and Decatur should at all hazards be destroyed at once.

Please number telegraphic dispatches and give hour of transmittal. Thank Grant, Foote, and their commands for me.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,       

Major-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. 591

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Brigadier-General Don Carlos Buell, February 7, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,         

Saint Louis, February 7, 1862.

Brig. Gen. D.C. BUELL, Louisville, Ky.:

Fort Henry is ours. The enemy is retreating on Paris, pursued by our cavalry. He has been compelled to abandon a part of his artillery. The gunboats will proceed up the river as far as may be safe. It is believed that the enemy is concentrating his forces at Paris, to operate on our flank. It will require every man we can get to hold him in check there, while a column is sent up the Tennessee or Cumberland, or both, to destroy bridges. We are much in want of artillery. Send down as many light batteries as you can spare. General Grant expects to take Fort Donelson (at Dover) to-morrow. If troops are sent up the Cumberland they will be preceded by gunboats.

H. W. HALLECK,    

Major-General.

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. 592

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Brigadier-General Don Carlos Buell, February 13, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,         

Saint Louis, February 13, 1862.

Brigadier-General BUELL, Louisville:

The attack will be made on Fort Donelson to-day by the joint land and naval forces, or if not to-day certainly to-morrow. Would it not be possible to make a cavalry demonstration on Bowling Green? A mere feint might help. I have no maps other than the general ones in book-stores. Why not come down and take the immediate command of the Cumberland column yourself? If so, I will transfer Sherman and Grant to the Tennessee column.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

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. 609

Special Dispatch to the Republican, February 9, 1862

FORT HENRY, February 9.

Gen. GRANT has just returned, with his staff, from making an extensive reconnoissance.  He had with him Cols. WEBSTER and McPHERSON, Engineers in Chief.

All the roads were thoroughly examined, and found to be much better than anticipated.  It will be easy to move on the Dover Road, which leads to Fort Donelson, and artillery can be taken along with comparative ease.

Three large iron works are situated near here; the most extensive being the La Grange.

A body of the Second cavalry, under Major Mudd, have just returned from a scouting expedition.  They bring with them thirty secession solders, taken in the skirmish.  Five of the enemy were left dead and one of our men.  A good many fine horses were captured.  The prisoners refuse to reveal anything in regard to affairs at Fort Donelson, but other reports state the garrison there very strong; in a better position and more capable of resistance than those were at Fort Henry.

Reinforcments are constantly arriving and the rebels cannot be less than 12,000 in number.  They have two small forts and three camps, several hundred yards away from the main fortification.

The timber is felled for a mile around, and every exertion is being made to resist desperately.  A much greater battle than that at Fort Henry may be expected.

Gen. PILLOW, from Columbus, is reported in command, and some of the best artillerists from the latter place have just arrived there.

One of the prisoners said that BEAUREGARD has assured them they would be sufficiently assisted.

All the rebels thus far captured have been sometimes, but seldom, being cut in the military style.  They have an abundance of food.

The gunboats Conestoga and Lexington have not yet returned from their cruise up the Tennessee river.

Capt. LAGON, of Gen. GRANT’s staff, has just arrived from an expedition on the steamer B. Up the river, Bring a Southern mail and other important matter.  Also four wagons, some powder, mules, &c., found in a deserted camp.

The following dispatches, saying a great deal in a little, are to be sent to night to Washington, in regard to the confirmation of Gen. SMITH’s nomination as Brigadier General.

To. Hon. E. B. Washburne, Washington City:

By all means get the Senate to re consider Gen. SMITH’s confirmation—there is no doubt of his loyalty and efficiency.  We can’t spare him now

U. S. GRANT, Brig. Gen.

Having entire confidence in Gen. GRANT’S representation, I take great pleasure in cocuring in his recommendation.

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,  

Brig. Gen. Commanding First Division.

SOURCE:  “Special Dispatch to the Republican,” The Missouri Republican, St. Louis, Missouri, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 3.

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune, February 9, 1862

FORT HENRY, Tenn., February 9, 1862

Via. Cairo, the 11th.

A force of the 2nd Illinois cavalry under Major Mudd, made a reconnoissance to-day in the direction of Fort Donelson.  An advance guard of some forty men, encountered a superior number of the rebel cavalry about seven miles on the main road to Dover.  Capt. Brink, ordnance officer, who accompanied the command, with Carson, were in the advance, and discovered the enemy and gave notice to our cavalry who were feeding some distance in the rear.  The rebels advanced on our small force and gave them battle to a cross road.  Some 20 more of our cavalry coming up to the assistance of our struggling little band, the enemy turned and took to flight with a loss of 5 killed and 23 prisoners, among whom was the captain of the rebel band.  Our loss was 1 man wounded and 1 horse killed.

Gen. Grant and staff to-day, also made a reconnoissance to within 4 miles of Fort Donelson, and a complete knowledge of the roads was obtained.

The Reconnoitering transport steamer H. H. Brown, in charge of Capt. Logan, aid to Gen. Grant, with Col. Riggins and Col. A. H. Markland, the military Mail Agent accompanying the army, made another trip to-day to the railroad bridge across the river at Danville, where a large quantity of army stores, wagons, hides and numerous other articles of value were obtained.

From All appearances in every direction from the Fort, the rebel retreat assumed a complete panic and stampede.  At Danville the quarters of the troops gave evidence that they fled while in the act of preparing either dinner or supper.  The cooking utensils contained the allowance of their morsel.  Beds and cabin furniture were strewn about in reckless confusion, and terror and dismay seem to have filled the breast of the occupants.

An unfinished letter from a soldier to his sister, was found, dated the 6th, (the day of the battle) which stated that the 7th regiment left there the night previous for the fort leaving every room for the conclusion that actual force at this place on the day of the capture of this Fort was not less than 12,000.

Col. Markland, by order of Gen. Grant, took possession of eleven bags of mail matter at Danville and closed the office yesterday.

Gen. Grant and staff visited Danville and took possession of a large amount of property of the same character as that taken to-day, besides the ferry steamer J. M. Martin, which was brought down to this point.

The bridge is a magnificent structure of about 1200 feet in length, besides about 400 feet of trestle work.  The piers of the spans, some nine in number, are built of granite, and in the strongest manner.  The trestle work has been partly destroyed to its being used by rebels.

Reinforcements are arriving very rapidly.  The 14th Iowa, the 13th Missouri, a battalion of Birge’s sharpshooters, the 43rd and 17th Illinois regiments, all arrived during last night and to-day.

The gunboats which went up the river after the capture of the fort have not yet been heard from.

SOURCE: “Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune,” Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, February 12, 1862

Letter from G. W. B., February 8, 1862

FORT HENRY, Tenn., Saturday Night,

February 8, 1862

For all the purposes of navigation a “booming river” is most admirable, but when viewed in connection with the operations of an army on land, the consequent general overflow of all bottoms, and swollen condition of all tributaries, hardly present so favorable an aspect.  Just now the high water would seem to be our most formidable foe.  Although it will probably permit the federal flag to be exhibited to the people along the Tennessee, even into Alabama, it is likely that it in turn will prevent the same flag from waving over the ramparts of fort Donaldson for at least several days longer than would be the case where the stream at a somewhat lower stage.

It was intended to move promptly against the above named fortification to-day, but so formidable have been the demonstrations of the rapidly rising stream, that let alone moving, it has been with no little difficulty that our army has been kept fairly afloat.  The moat around the fort has assumed the dimensions of an inland sea.  The fortification itself is as veritable an island as one need look upon, while the ground of the camps beyond, and in fact all of the “narrow neck” of land between this point and fort Donaldson is nothing more nor less than an extended quagmire.  The numerous little streams running into the Cumberland and Tennessee are all in a swollen condition and with miles of backwater which with the roads (bad enough at best) present such formidable obstacles to the movements of our heavy artillery necessary for the reduction of the place, as to render a movement almost impossible.  But let not the country be impatient.  The floods have reached their maximum, and in the meantime our engineers are hourly gaining their information in regard to the place.  The blow will soon fall.  The little delay will not make it any less sure, nor none the less heavy.

FEDERAL GUNBOATS IN ALABAMA.

Much interest is felt here among us to learn the particulars of the gunboat expedition up the river.  The boats should be back by to-morrow.  Capt. Phelps, of the Conestoga, received orders to go ahead as far as he could, and he is not the man to return without having fulfilled his orders to the letter.  It is probably that the fleet will be able to proceed as far up the river as Florence, Alabama, thus exhibiting the Federal flag through the “Enemy’s country” for over a hundred and fifty miles, and into the very heart of the rebeldom.  in many respects this is the great expedition of the war, and will doubtless have a moral effect upon the people of Central Tennessee unequal to another victory.  The boats left immediately after the reduction of the fort, and their presence will probably be the first intimation to thousands of people along the river that he had reduced one of their strongholds and were now penetrating the very heart of their vaunted confederacy.  The consternation as well as the surprise and joy (for be it known there is not a feeble union sentiment lying latent in Tennessee) of the people along the river upon the sight of the strange steamers, bearing aloft the national colors, can well be imagined.

WHAT FORT HERNY WAS KEY TO.

To those who have not taken the pains to look at their maps, the reduction of the fort, with its seventeen heavy guns, may appear only as a gallant affair, which will be productive of an excellent effect upon the Union cause at home and abroad, but otherwise of no very great importance.  But let one glance at our position, and trace the course of the Tennessee—for the next two months navigable for the largest steamers, through the entire breadth of the State—and the importance of the road we have now opened will at once become apparent.  We have now a safe and expeditious highway into the very heart of the Confederacy.  Six or eight miles only from the river at Florence is the Memphis and Charleston railroad—the grand trunk road for the South—which, as the great avenue over which is transported the principal supplies of the rebel armies in Tennessee and Virginia, may well be regarded as one of the main arteries of the rebel system.  It will also be noticed that the river before it bends to the eastward, flows through a corner of Mississippi, where an army once dropped down, would be within an easy week’s march of Memphis.  Would it be the most surprising thing in the world if His Reverend Highness the Bishop General Polk, should awake some fine morning to find a federal army snugly ensconced here, and the two hundred and odd cannon and famous submarine battery, of about as much value to him as so much old iron?  I need not also call attention to the critical condition of Nashville and Bowling Green, when the fortifications of the Cumberland and shall also have been swept away, as they assuredly will be, ere many days have passed.  Indeed it seems very much as if the rebels, in their fright had been so busily engaged in barricading their main approaches, that they had quite forgotten the smaller  avenue through which it was possible for an enemy to find an entrance.  Does it not seem that if the “day and the hour” had at last come for the grand forward movement to be inaugurated?  Shall we not now see McClellan releasing his superabundant legions now stagnating on the Potomac, and pouring them through this new avenue, and striking this rebellion in its very core.

THE RETREAT OF THE REBELS.

We are continually discovering further indications of the great haste in which the rebels outside of the fort decamped.  The road leading to Fort Donaldson is completely strewn with guns, blankets, knapsacks, cartridge boxes, and everything of which they could well dispossess themselves.  It is supposed that every one of the field pieces with which they started out have fallen into our possession.  The piece found by Col. Logan yesterday makes twelve, making two complete field batteries.  They are all spiked but can soon be rendered fit for service.  Among a thousand other things discovered about the woods in the vicinity by the soldiers are the complete plans of Fort Donaldson as drawn by the engineers which is, of course, a most invaluable discovery.  It is not known, however, as to how great an extent the plans have been carried out.  Great difficulty is experienced in getting reliable information in regard to the fort.  The negroes who remain give some most laughable instances of the haste in which the rebel force took to their heels.  It was nothing more nor less than a regular Bull Run stampede.  Nothing in the shape of a quadruped was left behind.  Even Gen. Tilghman’s horse was stolen by some frightened brother officer.  It is not probable that we should have found in the fort even the Small number we did, had not the General, after discovering the universal Stampede on the part of the force outside, and of also nearly all the garrison within, promptly stationed a guard at the draw bridge, with orders to shoot down any others who attempted to implicate their inglorious example.  A company of cavalry was stationed at the railroad bridge, twenty miles above here, and upon the approach of the gunboats on Thursday evening, the Captain, with characteristic Southern braggadocio, draw up his men in line on the river bank with the evident intention of blowing them out of the water.  The little rebel gunboat Dunbar was just above the bridge, but as soon as our gunboat approached, as may be imagined, beat a speedy retreat.  Intent upon the capture of this prize, the cavalry company was entirely overlooked, and as I have above stated, were bravely paraded up behind the trees of the river bank, with, to all appearances, exceedingly hostile intent.  Their Double-barrels had been duly loaded with the inevitable buckshot, and then came the ready—present—when, with the infernal shriek which penetrated to the very marrow of their bones, went whizzing by after the Dunbar one of the Conestoga’s shells.  The concluding order of fire was never given, but with one universal shout of horror, Captain and men scattered for the woods, leaving behind them, in many instance, even their hats.  My informant, the keeper of the draw-bridge, who was a witness of the scene, still retains as a trophy the valiant Captain’s sombrero.  He tells me that three of the Company where drowned in the back water of the river in their hasty flight.

THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.

Gen. Grant and staff, with several representatives of the press, and a body guard of sharpshooters, visited the bridge this afternoon.  The distance from the fort to the bridge is 23 miles.  This structure is one of the very finest of the kind in the country, being over 1,200 feet in length, and with about 300 more feet of tressle work, on the westerly side.  There are seven piers besides those of the draw, making nine in all.  The Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad has proved a most important auxiliary to the rebels, traversing a country rich in agricultural productions, and affording a speedy transit for troops and supplies to Columbus and Bowling Green.  The interruption of travel on this road, will be of itself be a sad blow to the confederacy.  The last rain passed over the road on Thursday, just before the bombardment.  There have been a few companies of rebels permanently stationed here for several months past.  When, in common with the rest of the rebel soldiery of this section, they, on Thursday, fled before our approach, they left their transportation, commissary stores, and everything besides their own precious selves, behind them.  The wagons deserted are perfectly new, and equal to the best we have.  In accordance with the positive instructions of Gen. Halleck, the bridge was not destroyed, but only partially disabled, by cutting away a few of the supports of the tressle work, which can be readily repaired.  It is probable that the next train watch crosses the bridge will be under Federal auspices.

UNION SENTIMENTS—“MASSA LINCOLN.”

That there is a latent Union sentiment still lingering in the hearts of the people of this section of Tennessee there can be no doubt.  Our troops have been cordially received in many instances, while the great majority of the population here would readily submit to any rule which would give them peace.  I have heard not a few express their gratification at the reduction of Fort Henry, saying—“Now, that flag is down, I reckon we shall again have peace.”  Many of them say they voted for the union twice, but the last time seeing it was all of no avail, either yielded to the popular clamor and voted for secession, or kept away from the polls all together.  The leaders of public opinion, the press and the politicians have so long vilified the North, and subsequently the Union army, and no industriously misrepresented the objects of the present war, that the most absurd beliefs are entertained by the common people in regard to us.  May of them believing that rapine and plunder would surely ensue upon our approach, have left their homes and every thing in them, and fled to the woods for safety.  The most monstrous stories are firmly believed by many of them.  For instance, one lady yesterday said to an Illinois Colonel, who visited her that she had but one objection to our troops—they were so cruel.  Upon seeking an explanation of this, she said we burned the bodies of all dead rebels who fell into our hands, and that she had it upon excellent authority that Zollicoffer’s remains were treated in this way.  But few negroes are found in the country, most of them having been run off upon our approach.  Those who have remained manifest a great interest in regard to everything connected with the army and the North.  The first person met by the officer of the boat landing at the fort after the flag had been struck, was one of these contrabands.  With mingled joy and consternation imprinted upon his countenance, and with uplifted army he exclaimed “Afore God, sir, is Massa Lincoln coming in that boat?”

MORE TROOPS.

The Memphis, with the Forty-third Illinois and the Birge’s Sharpshooters have just arrived.

SOUTHERN HONOR.

We had a striking exemplification of the much vaunted Southern honor here yesterday.  A rebel captain, who was among the prisoners who surrendered, upon leaving the Uncle Sam where he had been entertained by General Grant and staff, to the best of their power, very coolly pocketed the revolvers of Capt. Lagow, Gen. Grant’s aid.  The operation was witnessed by several, and upon being requested to hand over the weapons as they could not appropriately be termed his side arms, he blustered and grew very red in the face, but it was all of no avail.  There were too many witnesses, and he had to surrender.  In justice, however, to the South, it should be added that the officer was a quartermaster!  Another officer, high in the command, ordered 28 suppers for some of the privates, which he was given the privilege of doing if he would duly pay the steward of the boat for the same.  The suppers were cooked and eaten, when the generous officer coolly told the steward he had no money but Tennessee currency, and that he supposed it was of no service to him; and turning on his heel, left him to whistle for his pay.

DEAD BODIES FOUND IN THE FORT.

No less than nineteen dead bodies were exhumed in the fort to-day, which had been hurriedly buried in one heap after the fight, and before we reached the fort.  The apparent slight loss of the rebels has been a matter of great surprise, but this recent discovery puts rather a new light on the matter, and it would not be if still more were found.  It will be remembered that only four dead men were found in the fort when we took possession.  This will make at least twenty three who fell beneath the unerring shots of our sailors.

G. W. B.

SOURCE: “From Fort Henry,” The Daily Missouri Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday, February 13, 1862, p. 2

Brigadier-General Ulysses S. Grant to Mary Grant, February 9, 1862

Fort Henry, Ten.

Feb.y 9th, 1862

DEAR SISTER,

I take my pen in hand “away down in Dixie” to let you know that I am still alive and well.  What the next few days may bring forth however I cant tell you.  I intend to keep the ball moving as lively as possible and have only been detained here from the fact that the Tennessee is very high and has been raising ever since we have been here overflowing the back land making it necessary to bridge it before we could move.—Before receiving this you will hear, by telegraph, of Fort Donaldson being attacked.—Yesterday I went up the Ten. River twenty odd miles and today crossed over to near the Cumberland river at Fort Donaldson. —Our men had a little engagement with the enemie’s pickets killing five of them, wounding a number and, expressively speaking, “gobbeling up” some twenty-four more.

If I had your last letter at hand I would answer it.  But I have not and therefore write you a very hasty and random letter simply to let you know that I believe you will remember me and am carrying on a conversation whilst writing with my Staff and others.

Julia will be with you in a few days and possibly I may accompany her. This is bearly possible, depending upon having full possession of the line from Fort Henry to Fort Donaldson and being able to quite for a few days without retarding any contemplated movement.  This would not heave me free more than one day however.

You have no conception of the amount of labor I have to perform.  An army of men all helpless looking to the commanding officer for every supply.  Your plain brother however has, as yet, had no reason to feel himself unequal to the task and fully believes that he will carry on a successful campaign against our rebel enemy.  I do not speak boastfully but utter a presentiment.  The scare and fright of the rebels up here is beyond conception.  Twenty three miles above here some were drowned in their hast to retreat thinking us such Vandals that neither life nor property would be respect. G. J. Pillow commands at Fort Donaldson.  I home to him a tug before your receive this.

U. S. G.

SOURCES: John Y. Simon & William M. Ferraro, Editors, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 4: January 8-March 31, 1862, p. 179-80; Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 80-2

Brigadier-General Ulysses S. Grant to Julia Dent Grant, February 14, 1862

Near Fort Donelson, Ten.

Feb.y 14th 1862

Dear Julia,

The taking of Fort Donelson bids fair to be a long job.  The rebels are strongly fortified and are in a very heavy force.  When this is to end is hard to surmise but I feel confident of ultimate success.

I see no prospect of going back so I think you had better pack up and go to Covington.¹  You will hear from me, through the papers, on day earlyier than where you now are.  Draw all the money I have in the bank.  Ask Captain du Bar[r]y  to take charge of my horse and give all my clothing in charge of one of the clerks ready packed so that I can send for them.  Dont send them up her until I send for them.

Turn over the keys of the house to Mrs. Hillyer.²  and She can turn them over if she should leave either to Mr. Safford³ or any officer who may take possession.

Take the bedding with you.  I shall not want it.  The mattress you might leave in charge of the clerk.

Tell Capt. Du Barry that my horse is perfectly gentle and requires spurs.

I have had two or three letters from you since Fred. was sent back.  I suppose he reached you all safe.

Give my love all enquiring friends.  Kiss the children for me and accept the same for yourself.  I intend no blame shall attach to me whether successful or not.  But with the public it would make a great difference or not.

Good night.

Ulys.

_______________

¹ See letter to Mary Grant, February 9, 1862

² Wife of Captain William S. Hillyer.

³ Alfred B. Sanford.

SOURCE: John Y. Simon & William M. Ferraro, Editors, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 4: January 8-March 31, 1862, p. 211-2