Tennessee River Expedition – Official Report of Lieut. S. L. Phelps

U. S. GUNBOAT, “CONESTOGA,”

Tennessee River, February 10, 1862

Flag Officer H. H. Foote, U. S. N. Commanding

Naval Forces Western Waters

SIR – Soon after the surrender of Ft. Henry on the 6^th inst., I proceeded in obedience to your orders up the Tennessee river with the Tyler, Lieut. Commanding Gwin, Lexington, Lieut. Commanding Shirk, and this vessel, forming a division of the Flotilla, and arrived after dark at the railroad crossing, 25 miles above the Fort, having destroyed on the way a small amount of camp equipage abandoned by the fleeing rebels.  The draw of the bridge was found to be closed and the machinery for turning it disabled.  About one and a half miles above were several rebel transport steamers escaping up stream.  A party was landed, and in one hour I had the satisfaction to see the draw open.  The Tyler being the slowest of the gun boats, Lieut. Gwin landed a force to destroy a portion of the railroad track, and to secure such military stores as might be found while I directed Lieut. Shirk to follow me with all speed in chase of the fleeing boats.  In five hours this boat succeeded in forcing the rebels to abandon and burn three of their boats, loaded with military stores.  The first one fired (Samuel Orr) had on board a quantity of submarine batteries which very soon exploded.  The second was freighted with powder, cannon shot, grape, balls, &c.  Fearing an explosion from the fired boats (there were two together) I stopped at a distance of 1,000 yards, but even then our sky lights were shattered by the concussion, the light upper deck was raised bodily, doors were forced open and locks and fastenings everywhere broken.  The whole river for half a mile around about was completely beaten up by the falling fragments and the shower of shot, grape, balls, &c.  The house of a reputed Union man was blown to pieces, and it was suspected there was design in landing the rebels in front of the doomed house.  The Lexington having fallen astern, and without a pilot on board, I concluded to wait for both of the boats to come up.  Joined by them we proceeded up the river.  Liut. Gwin had destroyed some of the trestle work at the end of the bridge, burning with them a lot of the camp equipage.  J. N. Brown, formerly a Lieutenant in the Navy, now signing himself Lieut. C. S. N. had fled with such precipitation as to leave his papers behind.  These Lieut. Gwin brought and I send them to you, as they give an official history of the rebel floating preparations on the Mississippi, Cumberland and Tennessee.  Lieut. Brown had charge of the construction of gunboats. – At night on the 7^th we arrived at a landing in Hardee county, Tenn. Known as Cerro Gordo, where we found the steamer Eastport being converted into a gunboat.  Armed boat crews were immediately sent on board, and search made for means of destruction that might have been devised.

She had been scuttled, and the suction pipes broken.  These leaks were soon stopped.  A number of rifle shots were fired at our vessels, but a couple of shells dispersed the rebels.  On examination I found that there were large quantities of timber and lumber prepared for fitting up the Eastport, that the vessel itself, some two hundred and eighty feet long was in excellent condition and already half finished.  Considerable of the plating designed for her was lying on the bank and everything at hand to complete her.  I therefore directed Lieutenant Commanding Gwin to remain with the Tyler to guard the prize, and to load the lumber, &c., while the Lexington and Conestoga should proceed still higher up.  Soon after daylight we passed Easport, Mississippi, and at Chickasaw, farther up near the State line, seized two steamers the Sallie Wood and Muscle, the former laid up the latter freighted with iron destined for Richmond and for rebel uses.

We then proceeded on up the river, entering the State of Alabama and ascending to Florence at the foot of Muscle Shoals.  On coming in sight of the town three steamers were discovered, which were immediately set on fire by the rebels.  Some shots were fired from the opposite side of the river below.   A force was landed and considerable quantities of supplies, marked “Fort Henry” were secured from the burning wrecks.  Some had been landed and stored.  These I [secured], putting such as we could bring away on board our vessels, and destroying the remainder.  No flats or other craft could be found.  I found also more of the iron plating intended for the Eastport.

A deputation of the citizens of Florence waited upon me, first desiring that they might be able to quiet the fears of their wives and daughters with assurance from me that they should not be molested and secondly, praying that I would not destroy their railroad bridge.  As for the first, I told them that we were neither ruffians nor savages, and that we were there to protect from violence and to enforce the law, and with reference to the second that if the bridge was away we could ascend no higher, and that it could possess, so far as I saw no military importance, as it simply connected Florence itself with the railroad on the south side of the river.  We had seized three of their steamers, one the half finished gunboat, and had forced the rebels to burn six others loaded with supplies, and their loss with that of the freight, is a severe loss to the enemy.  Two boats are still known to be on the river, and are doubtless hidden in some of the creeks where we shall be able to find them when there is time for the search.  We returned on the night of the 8^th to where the Eastport lay.  The crew of the Tyler had already gotten on board of the prize an immense amount of lumber etc.  The crews of the boats set to work to finish it immediately, and we have brought away, probably 250,000 feet of the best quality of ship and building lumber, all the iron machinery, spikes, and plating, nails, etc., belonging to the rebel gunboat, and I caused the mill to be destroyed where the lumber had been sawed.  Lieut. Commanding Gwin, in our absence, enlisted some twenty-five Tennesseeans, who gave information of the encampment of Colonel Drew’s rebel regiment at Savannah, Tennessee.  A portion of the six hundred or seven hundred men were known to be pressed men and all were badly armed.  After consultation with Lieutenants Commanding Gwin and Shirk I determined to make a land attack on the encampment. – Lieutenant Commanding Shirk with thirty riflemen came on board the Conestoga, leaving his vessel to guard the Eastport and accompanied by the “Tyler,” we proceeded up to that place prepared to land 130 riflemen, and a 12 pound rifled howitzer.  Lieutenant Commanding Gwin took command of this force when landed, but had the mortification to find the encampment deserted.  The rebels had fled at 10 o’clock, at night, leaving considerable quantities of arms, clothing, shoes, camp utensils, provisions, implements, etc., all of which were secured or destroyed, and their winter quarters of log huts were burned.  I seized also a large mail bag, and send you the letters giving military information.

The gunboats were then dropped down to a point where arms gathered under the rebel (press) law had been stored and an armed party, under Second Master Goudy, of the Tyler, succeeded in seizing 70 rifles and fowling pieces.  Returning to Cerro Gordo, we took the Eastport, Sable Woods and Muscle in tow, and came down the river to the railroad crossing.  The Muscle sprung a leak, and all efforts failed to prevent her from sinking and we were forced to abandon her, and with her a considerable quantity of fine lumber.  We are having trouble in getting through the draw of the bridge here.

I now come to the most interesting portion of the report, one which has already become lengthy, but I trust you will find some excuse for this in the fact that it embraces a history of labors and movements day and night, from the 6^th to the 10^th of the month all of which details I deem it proper to give you.  We have met with the most gratifying proofs of loyalty everywhere across Tennessee, and in the portions of Mississippi and Alabama we visited. – Most affecting incidents greeted us almost hourly.  Men, women and children several times gathered in crowds of hundred, and shouted their welcome and hailed their national flag with an enthusiasm there was no mistaking.  It was genuine and heartfelt.  These people braved everything to go to the river bank, where a sight of their flag might once more be enjoyed, and they have experienced, as they related, every possible form of persecution.  Tears flowed freely down the cheeks of men as well as of women, and there were those who had fought under the stars and stripes at Moultrie, who in this manner testified to their joy.  This display of feeling and sense of gladness at our success, and the hopes it created in the breasts of so many people in the heart of the Confederacy astonished us not a little, and I assure you, Sir, I would not have failed to witness it for any consideration.  I think it has given us all a higher sense of the character of our present duties.  I was assured at Savannah that of several hundred troops there, more than one half, had we gone to the attack in time, would have hailed us as deliverers, and gladly enlisted with the national force.  In Tennessee, the people generally, in their enthusiasm, braved secessionists and spoke their views freely, but in Mississippi and Alabama what was said was guarded, “If we dared express ourselves freely, you would bear such a shout greeting your coming as you never heard.  We know that there are many Unionists among us, but a reign of terror makes us afraid of our shadow.”  We were told, too, “Bring us a small, organized force, with arms and ammunition for us and we can maintain our position and put down rebellion in our midst.”  There were, it is true, whole communities who, on our approach, fled to the woods, but these were where there was less of the loyal element.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. L. PHELPS,

Lieutenant Commanding, U. S. N.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 1

The Seige Of Donelson

The Bombardment by the Fleet.

THE FIGHT AND THE SURRENDER.

(Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune.)

FT. DONELSON, Feb. 17, 1862.

The Stars and Stripes wave over Donelson. – I can only give you an outline of what has taken place to accomplish its reduction.  The telegraph has given you a few facts, but a few only.  Let me give a general review, leaving out a thousand incidents which would be of great interest, had I the time to give them.  First, let me try to give a description of the defences, for without some such attempt, all the features of the battle field will not be understood.

The current of the Cumberland river at Dover runs nearly north, but immediately at the town as you ascend the stream, it leads towards the east, not in an abrupt bend but a gentle curve.  The banks on the west side are quite elevated, but the hills are cut by numerous ravines.  The hills are about one hundred feet high, just such elevations as are to be seen in Egypt or along the Ohio.  About one half mile below or north of the town, there is a round knob cleared, and planted with corn the past season.  It is fully one hundred feet high, and the ascent on the north side is very steep – to steep to be plowed.  It was covered with a forest, which was cleared when the work of entrenching began.  There the rebels set up their batteries for the defence of the river.

Before describing these, I may say that there are three separate works – the water batteries, the fort, and the rear line of the entrenchments.  Commanding with the water batteries, low down close upon the bank, you see, as you stand in front of them, what appears to be a hole in the side of the hill.  Upon examination you find it to contain one 128-pound rifled gun from the Tredegar works at Richmond, and two 32-pounder howitzers.  The rifled gun is a fair piece of workmanship, as you  run your eye along the sights, you can easily imagine that it will sent a ball straight down the stream a mile and a half to the distant level, plump into any boat.  It is in an admirable position.

Right above it commences a trench which is dug to the side of the hill, or rather which runs up it in a diagonal, as if an attempt was being made to construct a road.  The hill is so steep that in ten rods’ distance there is room for eight 32-pounders.  At the upper end of the trench is a second 128-pounder.

Standing at any gun, you can see that all can be brought to bear upon any object down the river, that a gunboat approaching can be raked from stem to stern, and that shot can be poured straight into her bows, point blank from the lower guns, and upon her decks, a plunging fire from the big gun at the top of the trench.  The embankment is well constructed and from the nature of the ground it is almost a casemate. – A shot striking below or above would do no damage.

Now, transferring yourself to a gunboat, you would see that it would be next to an impossibility to reach the big gun at the upper end of this trench, for, turn your bow’s head on to avoid the shot, you would still be raked by some of the rebel guns.  This was the river defense, and a most admirable defense it was – almost impregnable, as we found, in the attempt to bombard it.

Ascending the crest of the ridge, you see Ft. Donelson – enclosing about five or six acres – an embankment with a ditch outside.  The ditch is narrow and the embankment thin.  It has a vast number of angles – nearly fifty, I should judge – the most irregular thing imaginable. – It’s like was never before constructed.  A little creek runs in rear of the hill, and on its southern side, a spring bubbles from the ground which supplied the surrounding camp with water.  At the northwest angle, a curtain extended to the southwest, running along a ridge of land, conforming to the undulations and variations of the ground, to a creek which empties into the river above the town of Dover.  It is simply a breastwork with a shallow ditch inside.  It runs through a forest all the way.  Still farther to the rear, is a second ridge upon which the rebels erected rifle pits near the creek, in the rear of the town, and protecting the road which comes in from the southwest on a river line – simply a breastwork.

It will be seen that the line was very extensive, and it needed but a glance to see that there had been defective engineering.  With the force they had there was too much ground to look after.  A more skillful engineer would have selected commanding points on the ridge and thus concentrated strength.  The creek defended the south side, although when they found it convenient to leave the place, it was in the way.  With this view we are ready to look at the operations.

After the capture of Fort Henry, Gen. Grant as soon as possible moved across the twelve mile strip of land between the rivers and invested the place by throwing McClernand’s division upon the right, at the creek – extending his pickets down to the river beyond.  Gen. Wallace occupied the centre, while Gen. Smith closed up all communications with the outside world to the north.  Our forces occupied a range of hills almost one mile distant from the enemy’s outer works – Gen. Grant’s headquarters being between Smith’s and Wallace’s commands.  The rebels still had communication with Clarksville by the river, and daily received reinforcements and supplies by steamers.

Passing over all the skirmishing of Tuesday and Wednesday, we briefly notice the gunboat fight.

THE GUNBOAT FIGHT.

Thursday, Feb. 6^th, had been marked by the successful bombardment of Fort Henry, an event that will live in the history in the list of brilliant naval achievements to the lasting fame of Com. Foote.

The gunboats which participated in this splendid action were the Cincinnati, St. Louis, Carondolet, and Essex; the Taylor, Conestoga and Lexington.  These came out of the engagement well nigh unscathed and ready for another encounter which has not been long delayed.

The Gunboats St. Louis, Louisville and Pittsburg, left Cairo on the night of the 11^th inst. for the Cumberland river.  The St. Louis was the flag ship – the vessel on board which Commodore Foote remained.  On the way the Conestoga was met coming down the Ohio as a convoy to the Lexington, which had been the most damaged in the Tennessee river affair.  She was hailed and added to the fleet.  From Paducah the gunboats acted as a convoy to the sixteen transport vessels laden with troops for the reinforcement of Gen. Grant.

Thirty-five miles from Fort Donelson the fleet was met by an express steamer coming down to hurry up the transports, Gen. Grant’s dispatch stating that the fighting had commenced and re-enforcements were needed.  The fleet arrived within two miles of the Fort at 12 o’clock on Thursday night.  The Carondolet had been ordered to open the ball at 9 o’clock on Thursday morning.  She advanced within a mile of the Fort and opened fire.  She was quickly responded to, and after firing 188 shots was obliged to retire, having received a 42-pound ball through her port side, striking the main steam pipe. – She retired down stream a couple of miles.  In the afternoon, after repairing the damage sustained in the first sally, she was again ordered to attack.  She fired a number of shots, but without effect.

During Thursday night Gen. Grant had a conference with Com. Foot, and it was decided to make a more general bombardment the next day, Friday.  The gallant Commodore did not hesitate to declare to his fellow officers that a far more difficult task was before him than had been presented in the taking of Fort Henry. – Our readers will understand from the description of localities, elsewhere given, what these increased difficulties were.  Instead of the low batteries on the flanks of the Tennessee, scarcely higher above the water than the decks of the gunboats, the upper batteries of Fort Donelson frowned down from the bluff one hundred feet above the river.

Nevertheless, there was no hanging back, and Commodore Foote and his officers were called upon to restrain by stringent orders the ardor of their men, who burned to open the conflict.  On steamed the boats, and while at long range the enemy opened fire from their middle batteries – their first shots falling short – first a thirty-two, then a sixty-four.  Still all was silence on board of the gunboats, the dip of whose paddles alone broke the stillness of their approach.  Thus fifteen minutes passed, which seemed a tardy hour to the impatient gunners. – At last the point was reached, and precisely at ten minutes to 3 o’clock P. M., a puff of white smoke and the boom of her sixty-four came from the bow port of the St. Louis.  The other boats quickly followed suit.  Such was the difficulty of getting accurate range that our first shots fell wide of the mark; but this was remedied speedily, and the engagement became terrific.  The enemy poured their 32 and 64-pounders into our vessels with great effect, and our gunners returned with 8 inch shell and 65-pound rifle balls, with admirable precision, cheering as they fought their guns, and doing great execution to the enemy’s works, dismounting their guns on the lower batteries, and driving the rebels like frightened sheep from their pens.  But the diagram will tell our readers what the first glance at the locality itself declared to the experienced eye of Commodore Foote.  The gunboats were fighting against fearful odds, the long oblique middle range of heavy guns raked the fleet terribly as they came on, the angle giving them the least advantage from the plating and defenses.  At Fort Henry the boats came up, exposing only their bows as the smallest mark to the enemy, here their broadsides were exposed.  Soon after the fight commenced, a shot from the enemy’s water battery carried away the flag-staff of the St. Louis; almost the next shot took the chimney guys of the same boat.  But it was flag-staff or no flag-staff; a few minutes later away went the rebel bunting from the fort, its staff cut by a ball from the St. Louis, who thus avenged the indignity offered to herself.

A little later the Louisiana was struck by a 64-pound shot from the right of the middle tier of batteries, which broke her rudder post, rendering her unmanageable.  At this time the boats were all held under heavy steam, just stemming the current to prevent drifting.  Another shot killed William Hinton, the pilot, in the pilot house of the Carondolet, and a 32, nearly the same instant, came crashing into the pilot-house of the St. Louis, mortally wounding one of the pilots, F. A. Riley, injuring two other pilots, and also wounding the brave Commodore himself, across whose left foot a large fragment of a splintered oaken beam fell, severely crushing and bruising it.  Of the four in the pilot-house at the time only one escaped injury.

I will add here that Commodore Foote’s injury is of such a nature that care for the wounded member requires him to use a crutch, which the brave officer regrets, saying that but for this needed exposure no one would learn that he was hurt.  He will soon be on both pins again however.  This mischievous shot passed through the pilot house and knocked into pi one of the wheel of the St. Louis, which, like a sea bird with a broken wing, swung round and became unmanageable in the current.  Here then, were three vessels disabled – the Louisiana with her rudder post shattered, the Carondolet pilotless, and the St. Louis with her wounded wheel – all in a swift current under the fire of the rebel batteries.  To continue the fight longer was useless, and the rudderless boat must be called out of the fight.  The brave crews saw this necessity unwillingly and burned to continue their advantage gained.  Said commodore Foote, “If they had not crippled my boats, I should have had possession of the fort in ten minutes more.”  The gunboats had passed up to within two hundred yards of the fort.  The enemy had been driven from the lower battery, and their fire had slackened perceptibly.  But when disabled, the engines were stopped and the boats floated from their position.  The enemy saw what had happened, and they rushed back to their guns with the same speed with which they had deserted them, which is saying a great deal.  Their fire was redoubled, but our gunners did not leave without a parting shot.  One heavy shell from the Carondolet was seen to alight in the middle battery, and with its explosion away from its carriage went a gun, and into the air went dust, splinters and fragments of rebel gunners, and the spot of the carnage was distinctly to be traced when two days later the star[s] and stripes floated over the captured fort.

The fleet retired in good order and anchored a little over a mile and a half below the fort.  Old man-of-war’s men say the fight was the hottest they had ever seen.  Commodore Foote, who is no chicken, says the firing was the most terrific he had ever seen.

The army made no movement on Friday of consequence, but waited any demonstration the rebels might make.  They were elated with the repulsed of the gun-boats, and undoubtedly concluded that, they would either repulse the army or if not that they would cut their way through and escape to Clarksville.

Prepared to do either, as circumstances might decide, at six o’clock on Saturday morning they appeared in solid column upon the road, which seems partly parallel to the creek, at McClernand’s right.  It was a few minutes past six when our pickets exchanged shots with their skirmishers.

Perhaps a few straight lines, such as the printer can readily set up, will give an idea of the position of our forces.

The lines, of course do not represent exact positions, for you are to remember that it is a broken country – hills and hollows as irregular as waves of Lake Michigan – that a portion of McClernand’s force was on the right and side of the road, a portion east of it, and some troops in it; that when the enemy advanced they were just as they had been lying in their blankets in the open air, or getting ready for breakfast.

Immediately the whole division was astir, waiting for what might turn up.  As the rebels neared our forces they deployed and formed in line of battle making the most furious attack upon the right; also sending their Mississippi sharp shooters, as one of the Captains, now a prisoner informed me, to the left to throw the 11^th and the 20^th regiments into confusion.

It was about seven o’clock, when the firing began on the right, and in a few minutes it was running like a train of powder on a floor, along the entire line.  The rebels advanced with determination – not in a regular line, but in the guerilla mode – availing themselves of the trees and the undulations of the ground.  Their design was to cut the division at the center, turn the regiments on the right, composing Ogelsby’s brigade up against the creek and capture them.  But their movements to that end were foiled.  The regiments at the center being pressed, after standing a hot fire begun gradually to fall back, which rendered it necessary for Oglesby to do the same as he separated, from the division, and the entire right wing of the division accordingly swung back, slowly at first.  Dresser’s and Schwartz’s batteries were brought into position as soon as possible, and for a while there was a very heavy fire, accompanied by continued rolls of musketry.  If one were to judge by sound alone, all battles would be terrific; but when a fight is waged in a forest, the trees high up the branches usually suffer more.  There, was however, considerable loss on both sides, at this point.

And now occurred one of those blunders common in warfare.  The enemy pressing hard upon our forces, Gen. McClernand sent Major Brayman for reinforcements.  He rode rapidly to the rear and came upon Col. Cruft’s brigade, who moved forward, and crossed the road, and came up in the rear of the 30^th and 31^st.  These regiments were lying down and firing over the crest of a ridge.  As Col. Cruft came in the rear of them they rose to their feet, not knowing whether the force in their rear was friend or foe.  The 25^th Ky., supposing them to be rebels, poured in a volley, which did terrible execution.  It is not possible to ascertain how many fell under the fire, but it was sufficient to throw the entire division into disorder, and at once there was almost panic.  Some of them took to their heels, threw down their guns and equipments, and fled to the rear crying “All is lost!”  We are all cut to pieces!” and similar expressions.  Some of them even fled to Fort Henry, twelve miles distant, and immediately the woods were filled with stragglers.

The enemy improved the opportunity, and advanced upon Dresser’s and Schwartz’s batteries, capturing five guns, taking possession of Gen. McClernand’s headquarters, and driving our forces nearly a mile and a half.  They had opened the gap; and not only that, but had in the joust driven us, captured five guns and had reason to feel that the day was theirs.

But now they committed a fatal mistake.  Instead of adhering to the original plan, to escape, they resolved to follow up their advantage by pursuit, cut us up and capture the entire army.

The fight had lasted nearly four hours, and McClernand’s division was exhausted; besides they were out of ammunition.

At this juncture Gen. Wallace’s division was thrown in front.  They took up a position on a ridge, with Captain Taylor’s battery in the center at the road, commanding it down the ridge to the bottom of a ravine.  McClernand’s division was making up its scattered ranks, ready to support Wallace.  It was now just noon – nearly 1 o’clock.  The rebels formed upon the ridge which Gen. McClernand had occupied through the night.  They were flushed with success and descended the ridge with the expectation of routing the Yankees.  As they came in range, Taylor opened upon them with shell, grape and canister.  They quelled before it, advanced at a slow pace, came to a halt, and as the infantry opened, began to fall back.  Wallace improved the moment, moved on, drove them before him, regained the lost ground, recovered McClernand’s tent and occupied the old ground.

This is only a brief note – conveying a general idea.  I cannot speak of the prowess of the troops, of instances of individual bravery, although it is generally admitted that Taylor’s battery saved the day.

The rebels might have escaped when Wallace was driving them back, but by some faulty neglected the opportunity and were again boxed up.  This made two distinct fights, but the day was not to close.  There was to be a second display of coolness, daring and determined bravery of Union troops, fighting under the Stars and Stripes, resulting in a signal victory.

The Iowa and Indiana boys composing Lauman’s brigade of Smith’s division, were ready to do their part in crushing out rebellion, and Gen. Grant decided that they should have an opportunity to show their valor.  Directly west of Fort Donelson, and beyond the breastworks there was a second ridge of land running parallel to that on which the breastworks were erected.  The distance across from ridge to ridge, as near as I could judge by a somewhat minute survey, as about forty rods.  On this outer ridge were ten rifle pits, made of logs, with a shallow ditch behind and the excavated earth thrown up in front.  The western slope of the ridge was quite steep.  The distance to the base was thirty rods as I judged, opening upon a meadow and cornfield.  The slope had been forest but the rebels had used their axes and cut down the trees, forming an abattis not impassible because the forest was not dead, but a serious obstruction to the advance of an army.  It was desirable that the rebels should be driven out of their pits, for they in part commanded Fort Donelson, lying about sixty rods further east.

The pits were defended by one Mississippi, one Kentucky, and one Tennessee regiment while other regiments were in position in the rear to support them.

Col. Lauman formed his brigade in the meadow, in plain sight of the enemy, just beyond musket range, and advanced.  The following diagram will represent the positions:

The 2d Kentucky held the center, Col. Head’s Tennessee Regiment the rebel right, and the 14^th Mississippi the left flank.  The Kentucky regiment was one of the largest, best disciplined and drilled in the rebel army.

Col. Lauman gave the 2^nd Iowa the honor of leading the charge.  They moved across to the meadow through a little belt of woods, came to the base of the hill, and met the leaden rain. – But they paused not a moment.  Then they encountered the fallen trees but instead of being disheartened they seemed to feel new life and energy.  Without firing a shot, without flinching a moment or faltering as their ranks were thinned, they rushed up the hill, regardless of the fire in the front or on their flank, jumped upon the rifle pits and drove the rebels down the eastern slope.  They escaped into their inner line of defenses.  Col. Lauman did not deem it prudent to follow, but halted his men and poured a deadly fire upon the foe, in force, with four cannon behind the works.

Then for Ten minutes the fire was exceedingly severe.  I visited the spot on Sunday afternoon and found the ground thick with bullets fired by the rebels.  The trees were scarred but bore the evidence on their limbs that the aim of the rebels had been much too high.  Col. Lauman called his men back to their rifle pits, and there they lay down upon their arms, holding the position through the night, ready with the first flash of dawn to make a breach in the line beyond.

“Oh the wild charge they made

Honor the Lauman brigade!”

I deem it perfectly admissible to alter Tennyson in making this brief note of a brilliant achievement.  Twenty-four hours after the fighting I visited the spot and saw ten of the brave ones whose lives had been given for their country lying upon the slope in front of the rifle pits.  Behind the pits were several of the enemy who had fallen in their attempt to flee.

There were numerous pools of blood upon the crest of the hill where the wounded had fallen but who had been taken to the hospitals.

Col. Lauman was apprised during the night that the rebels were about to surrender, by a negro who escaped his lines.  Soon after daylight an officer, Major Calsbry, appeared, being a white flag and a note from General Buckner to General Grant, proposing a cessation of hostilities and the appointment of Commissioners.  As the telegraph has given you the correspondence that followed, I need not insert it.

The Victory was won, and Fort Donelson was ours, with its seventeen heavy siege guns, its forty-eight field pieces, its fifteen thousand soldiers, with twenty thousand stand of arms, its tents and ammunition – all were unconditionally ours.

Wild were the cheers, loud were the salutes from the fleet and from Taylor’s batteries when the Stars and Stripes, the glorious old flag, was flung to the breeze upon the ramparts of Fort Donelson.

I cannot give you the sights or the incidents.  You must imagine them.  Neither have I time to tell of the appearance of the rebels in their snuff-colored, shabby clothes – their bed-quilts, pieces of carpeting, coverlids, sacking – but there they were, gloomy, downcast, humbled, apprehensive for the future; and yet I think that many of them were not sorry that there was to be no more fighting.  I made myself at home among them, talked with them freely, heard their indignant utterances against Floyd, who had sneaked away with his Virginia regiments, the 36^th, 50^th and 51^st, and a host of stragglers – officers many of them – who did not hesitate to desert their men in the hour of adversity.  They went away at midnight after an angry altercation, as I was informed by a secession officer, between Pillow, Floyd and Buckner.  I am also informed that about five thousand rebels escaped, the boats being loaded to the guards.  Forest’s Louisiana cavalry escaped on their horses along the creek.  But the great bulk of the army is ours.  Fifteen thousand prisoners!  What shall we do with them?  We have indeed drawn an elephant.

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

St. Louis News.

ST. LOUIS. – Feb. 20. – Dispatches were received to-day to hurry repairs on the gun boat Lexington, and intimating that the evacuation of Columbus was the cause for the extra haste.

It appears that after all, very few wounded from the Fort Donelson fight will come here.  The Sanitary Commission sends its President, James E. Yeatmen, down the river this evening with extra hospital supplies, contributed under a supposition that the wounded were coming here early this morning.

The Steamers White Could, Empress and Emma Duncan, arrived here with three thousand prisoners from Ft. Donelson.  They landed at Bloody Island and leave immediately for Indianapolis and Chicago.  They came under guard of the 20^th Ohio and the 19^th Illinois.  They are a shabby lot of prisoners, no better clothed than the butternut prisoners who have been taken in Missouri.

The following named prisoners of war arrived last night by the Pacific Railroad from Sedalia in custody of Capt. Thompkin’s 8^th Iowa Infantry: Brigadier General Price, Col, Dorsey, Col. Cross and Captain Jude, of Maj. Gen. Price’s staff; also C. J. Cunningham, Stephen F. Roberts, L. D. Sloss, Daniel C. Rodman, Harman Smith, Franklin Motz, Wm. Ranney, H. A. Massey, and O. J. Ross.

Gen. Halleck has commuted the sentence of the bridge burners, and ordered as follows: – In consideration of recent victories won by Federal forces and of rapidly increasing loyalty of the citizens of Missouri who for a time forgot their duty to their flag and country, sentence of J. O. Tompkins, W. Forshey, J. Patton, T. M. Smith, S. Scott, G. H. Cunningham, P. B Crowder and G. M. Pulliam, heretofore condemned to death, to be provisionally mitigated to close confinement in the military prison at Alton.  If rebel spies again destroy Railroad bridges and telegraph lines and thus render it necessary for us to make severe examples, the original sentences against these men will be carried into execution.

No further assessments will be levied or collected from any one who will now take the prescribed oath of allegiance.

Boards of Commissioners will be appointed to examine cases of prisoners of war who apply to take the oath of allegiance, and on their recommendation orders will be issued from these headquarters for their release.

A letter from Lexington reports the 2d battalion of the 2^nd Iowa cavalry, Col. Botly, and the 7^th Missouri regiment of infantry, quietly stationed there.

Three companies of the Missouri 7^th, on the march from Warrenton, overtook some rebels en route for Price and in the chase ensuing shot one of them, whereupon the rest surrendered.  One prisoner is a notorious character named Hill, who robbed  some of Mulligan’s men after the surrender of Lexington.

Letters from Springfield state that refugee families are returning.

Gen. Ed. Price and the rebel Colonels captured at Warsaw by a detachment of the 1^st Iowa Cavalry, under Capt. Thompson, and Co. A, of the 8^th Iowa Infantry.  Gen. Price walked around to-day on parole.  All the others left for Alton.

The Mississippi prisoners to-day were told that they were going to Lincoln’s Wigwam at Chicago, which incensed them highly, though hundreds were glad to hear of it.  Some of the prisoners deny that over 3,000 prisoners were captured.  Considerable trading took place at the steamboat landing in Confederate scrip and shinplasters.

Col. Fitz Henry Warren of the 1^st Iowa Cavalry, who was under arrest, has been released, and resumed command of the Regiment.  Charges frivolous as they were, have been denied by every officer of the command, and the Major who made them has been requested to resign.

The rebel Surgeons captured by Gen.’s Sigel and Curits below Springfield, have been allowed their liberty in accordance with Gen. Halleck’s orders proposing to exempt Surgeons from the ordinary penalties of prisoners of war.

A tug boat has gone to Cairo, to tow the Essex to this point.  He is to be lengthened fifty feet, and her boiler dropped below the waterline. – Preparations are making to expedite matters as fast as possible.

A report was brought to head-quarters by a pretended refugee, who escaped from Columbus Tuesday night and reached Cape Girardeau yesterday morning, to the effect that Columbus and not been evacuated.

The 22d Missouri Infantry left for the seat of war to-day.

A mule dealer named Deith, was arrested to-day for defrauding the Government.

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

Reliable Details of the Fight

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, April 10.

We are just beginning to get some reliable details from the great battle at Pittsburg.  From several gentlemen who were on the field afterwards on in the fight, the following are gathered and sent.  Our informant left the battle field on Wednesday morning at 5 o’clock:

The rebels Attacked Prentiss’s brigade 4 o’clock on Sunday morning, while they were at breakfast.  It consisted of the 61^st Illinois, 16^th Wisconsin, 24^th Indiana and 71^st Ohio.  The rebels were said to be 120,000 strong.  Prentiss had no artillery.  His brigade was cut to pieces, and forced to retire, with Prentiss and many other prisoners.  At 12 m. the entire line was fiercely engaged, but in full retreat.

At 4 p. m. the enemy had taken Swartz’s battery – 6 guns, Dresden’s, of 4 guns, Waterhouse’s battery, 2 rifled Ohio 56-guns, and another Ohio battery.  Thousands of our soldiers had taken refuge under the bank of the river, and utterly refused to fight – in fact they could not, for officers and men were in inextricable confusion, and the army seemed utterly demoralized.

Gen. Mitchell’s [sic] division, about this time arrived on the opposite shore with 15,000 men, who were ferried across during the night.

The gunboats Lexington and Tyler opened a tremendous fire of shell upon the enemy, and kept it up every half hour during the night, saving the army from utter ruin. – They set the woods on fire, and many of the rebels were burned.  At 7 the firing generally ceased.  At midnight the rebels attempted to plant a battery within three hundred yards of our siege guns, but they were driven back by the gunboats and siege guns, supported by three regiments of Mitchell’s division.

Our informants persist in estimating our loss on Sunday at 3,000 killed and 5,000 wounded as a low figure.  It was undoubtedly tremendous.  During the night the rebels were reinforced by Price and Van Dorn from Arkansas, with a very large force.

Gen. Lew Wallace came up from Crump’s Landing with the 18^th and 23d Ind., 44^th Ill., 8^th Mo and Willard’s battery, and in the morning fiercely attacked the left wing of the enemy.  They went into the fight on the double quick with tremendous shouts, and did terrible execution.  By 10 o’clock they had driven the rebels back two miles.  The battery performed prodigies of valor.

About 10 o’clock the rebels were reinforced, and for a few minutes our gallant boys were forced to yield.

The other divisions of Buell’s army now appeared and at once became fully engaged, and for two hours all the destructive elements of earth seamed striving for the mastery on that fatal field.  Southern chivalry proved no match for the unflinching courage of the army of freedom, and the rebels fled in all directions with some 12,000 troops.  Gen. Buell followed the fugitives taking thousands of prisoners and smiting without mercy those who would not surrender.  He was reported to have taken Corinth with all the immense stores of arms and ammunition.  Carson, the scout had his head torn off on Monday by a round shot.

The rebel troops were mostly from Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, with many from Georgia and Alabama.  They fought like tigers.  Our informant could ride through the battle field where our forces were posted, but the dead were so thick in the enemy’s line that they could not do it.  They assure us that the rebels surprised our camps on Sunday night, took care of our sick and wounded, but destroyed nothing, expecting confidently to have our entire army the next day.  They thought the battle already won on Sunday.

Gen. McClernand cut his way through the enemy that had surrounded him.  Most of his troops behaved with great gallantry; but the 53^rd Ohio was ordered to the rear in disgrace for refusing to fight.

Capt. Harvy of Bloomington, Illinois is among the killed.

Our informants were assured by those who know the man, that John C. Breckenridge was taken Prisoner.  They saw him pass to the General’s quarters.

It is impossible to get lists of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 2

Herald’s Dispatch

PITTSBURG, Tennessee, via

FORT HENRY, April 9 – 3:20 A. M.

One of the greatest and bloodiest battles of modern days has just closed, resulting in the complete rout of the enemy, who attacked us at daybreak Sunday morning.

The battle lasted without intermission during the entire day, and was again renewed on Monday Morning, and continued until 4 o’clock p.m., when the enemy commenced their retreat, and are still flying toward Corinth, pursued by a large force of our cavalry.

It is impossible in the present confused state of affairs to ascertain any details.  I therefore give you the best account possible from observation, having passed through the storm of action during the two days that it raged.

The fight was brought on by a body of 300 of the 25^th Mo. regiment of Gen. Prentiss’ division attacking the advance guard of the rebels, which were supposed to be the pickets of the enemy in front of our camp.  The rebels immediately advanced on Gen. Prentiss’ division, on the left wing, pouring in volley after volley of musketry, and riddling our camps with grape, canister and shell.  Our forces soon formed into line and returned their fire vigorously, and by the time we were prepared to receive them they had turned their heaviest fire on the left and centre of Sherman’s division and drove our men back from their camps, and bringing up a large force opened fire on our left wing under Gen. McClernand.

This fire was returned with terrible effect and determined spirit by both infantry and artillery along the whole line for a distance of four miles.

Gen. Hurlbut’s division was thrown forward to support the center, when a desperate conflict ensued.  The rebels were driven back with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied and drove back our men in turn.  From about nine o’clock to the time your correspondent arrived on the field until night closed on the bloody scene, there was no determination of the result of the struggle.

The rebels exhibited remarkably good generalship, at times engaging the left with apparently their whole strength.  They would suddenly open a terrible and destructive fire on the right or center.  Even our heaviest and most destructive fire on enemy did not appear to discourage their solid columns.  The fire of Major Taylor’s Chicago artillery raked them down in scores, but the smoke would no sooner be dispersed than the breach would again be filled.  The most desperate firing took place late in the afternoon.  The rebel’s knew that if they did not succeed in whipping us then their chances for success would be extremely doubtful.

A portion of Gen. Buell’s forces had by this time arrived on the opposite side of the river, and the other portion was coming up the river from Savannah.  The rebels became aware that we were being reinforced, as they could see Gen. Buell’s troops from the river bank a short distance above us on the left, to which point they had forced their way.

At 5 o’clock the rebels had forced our left wing back so as to occupy fully two thirds of our camp, and were fighting their way forward with a desperate degree of confidence in their efforts to drive us into the river, and at the same time heavily engaged our right.  Up to this time we had received no reinforcements.

Gen. Lew. Wallace failed to come to our support until the day was over, having taken the wrong road from Crump’s Landing, and being without other transports than those used for Quartermaster’s and commissary stores, which were too heavily laden to ferry any considerable number of Gen. Buell’s forces across the river, three that were here having been sent to bring the troops from Savannah.

We were therefore contesting against fearful odds.  Our force not exceeding 38,000 men; that of the enemy was upwards of 60,000.  Our condition at this moment was extremely critical.  Large numbers of men were panic stricken, others worn out by hard fighting, with an average per cent of skulkers had straggled towards the river and could not be rallied.

Gen. Grant and staff who had been recklessly riding along the lines during the entire day amid the unceasing storm of bullets, grape and shell, now rode from right to left, inciting men to stand firm until our reinforcements could cross the river.

Col. Webster, chief of staff, immediately got into position the heaviest pieces of artillery pointing on the enemy’s right, while a large number of batteries were planted along the entire line from the river bank to the extreme right, some 2 1-2 miles distant.  About an hour before dusk a general cannonade was opened upon the enemy from along tour whole line, with a perpetual crack of musketry.  Such a roar was never heard on this continent.  For a short time the rebels replied with vigor and effect, but their return shots grew less frequent and destructive, while ours grew more rapid and more terrible.

The gunboats Lexington and Taylor, which lay a short distance off, kept pouring shell on the rebel hordes.  This last effort was too much for the enemy and ere dusk the firing had nearly ceased.  When night came on all the combatants rested from their awful work of blood and carnage.  Our men rested on their arms in position they had at the close of the night, until the forces under Maj. Gen. Wallace arrived and took position on the right, and met Buell’s forces from the opposite side, and Savannah being now converted to the battle ground.

The entire right of Gen. Nelson’s division was ordered to for on the right, and the forces under Gen. Crittenden were ordered to his support early in the morning.

SECOND DAY’S BATTLE.

Gen Buell having arrived the following evening, in the morning the ball was opened at daylight simultaneously by Gen. Nelson’s division, on the left, and Maj. Gen. Wallace’s division on the right.  Gen. Nelson’s force opened a most galling fire and advance rapidly as they fell back.  The fire soon became general along the whole line, and began to tell with terrible effect on the enemy.

Generals McClernand’s, Sherman’s and Hurlburt’s [sic] men, though terribly jaded form the previous day’s fighting, still maintained their honors won at Donelson, but the resistance of the rebels at all points was terrible and worthy of a better cause; but they were not enough for our undaunted bravery and the dreadful desolation produced by our artillery, which was sweeping them away like chaff before the wind.  But knowing that a defeat here would be a death blow to their hopes, and that their all depended on this great struggle, their Generals still urged them on in the face of destruction, hoping by flanking us on the right to turn the tide of battle.

Their success was again for a time cheering as they began to gain ground on appearing to have been reinforced, by our left under Gen. Nelson was driving them and with wonderful rapidity, and by eleven o’clock Gen. Buell’s forces had succeeded in flanking them, and capturing their battery of artillery.

They, however, again rallied on the left and recrossed, and the right forced themselves forward in another desperate effort, but reinforcements from Gens. Wood and Thomas were coming in regiment after regiment, which were sent to Gen. Buell, who had again commenced to drive the enemy.  About 3 p.m. Gen. Grant road to the left where the fresh regiments had been ordered, and finding the rebels wavering, sent a portion of his body guard to the head of each five regiments, and then ordered a charge across the field, himself leading.  As he brandished his sword and waved them on to the crowning victory, while cannon balls were falling like hail around him, the men followed with a shout that sounded above the roar and din of the artillery, and the rebels fled in dismay as from a destroying avalanche, and never made another stand.

Gen. Buell followed the retreating rebels, driving them in splendid style, and by half past five o’clock the whole rebel army was in full retreat to Corinth, with our cavalry in hot pursuit, with what further result is not known, not having returned to this hour.  We have taken a large amount of their artillery, and also a number of prisoners.  We lost a number of our forces who were taken prisoners yesterday, among whom is Gen. Prentiss.

The number of our force taken has not been ascertained, yet it is reported at several hundred.

Gen. Prentiss is also reported wounded.

Among the killed on the rebel side was their General-in-Chief, A. Sidney Johnston, who was struck by a cannonball on the p. m. of Sunday.  Of this there is no doubt, as the report is corroborated by several rebel officers taken to-day.  It is further reported that Gen. Beauregard had his arm shot off this afternoon.

Gens. Bragg, Breckinridge, and Jackson were commanding portions of the rebel forces.

Our loss in officers is very heavy.  It is impossible at present to obtain their names.  The following were among the number:

Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace; Col. Pegram, acting brigadier general; Col. Ellis, 10^th Ill.; Major Goddard, 15^th Ill; killed.  Lt. Col. Camarard, 72d Ohio, mortally wounded, since died.  Lt. Col. Kyle 41^st Ind.; Col. Davis, 46^th Ill; mortally wounded.  Gen. W. F. [sic] Sherman, wounded in hand by a cannon-ball.  Col. Sweeny, 52d Ill., acting brigadier general, received two shots in his only arm, having lost the other in Mexico; also a shot in one of his legs.  He nevertheless kept the field till the close of the fight, and excited the admiration of the whole army.

Col. Dave Stewart 55^th Illinois, acting Brigadier General, shot through the breast on Sunday, returned on the field Monday.  Col. Chas. Crufes, 31^st Ill., acting Brigadier General, shot through the right shoulder, not dangerously.

Col. Haynil, 48^th Ill., wounded slightly.

Col. J. C. McHury, 17^th Ky., ditto.

Lit. Co. Stout, 17^th Ky., ditto.

Lieut. Col Morgan, 25^th Ind., wounded severely.

Lieut. Col. Ransum, 11^th Ill., wounded badly in head.

Col. Mason, 71^st Ohio, wounded slightly.

Maj. Easton, 18^th Ill., acting Colonel, wounded fatally.

Maj. Herios, 11^th Ill., wounded slightly.

Capt. Irving W. Carson, Gen. Grant’s scout, head shot off by cannon ball.

Capt. Preston Morton, wounded mortally, since died.

Capt. Dillon, 18^th Ill., killed.

Capt. Mane, 5^th Ill., killed.

Capt. Carter, 12^th Ill., killed.

Maj. Page, 57^th Ill, killed.

There has never been a parallel to the gallantry and bearing of our officers from the Commanding General to the lowest officer.  Gen. Grant and Staff are in the field, riding along the lines in the thickest of the enemies [sic] fire during the entire two days of battle and slept on the ground.  Sunday night during a heavy rain on several occasions he got in range of the enemy’s guns and was discovered and was fired upon.

Lieut. Col. McPherson had his horse shot from under him along the side of Capt. Carson.  He was between Gen. Grant and your correspondent, when a cannon ball took off his head and killed and wounded several others.  Gen. Sherman had two horses killed under him, and Gen. McClernand shared like dangers; also Gen. Hurlbut – each of whom received bullet holes through their clothes.  Gen. Buell remained with his troops during the entire day, who with Gens. Crittenden and Nelson rode continually along the line, encouraging their men.  Gen. Buell’s advance will probably return from Corinth by to-morrow evening.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 2

Late News By The Mails

FROM GEN. GRANT’S ADANCE COLUMN.

Latest from Island No. 10, Saturday Night.

MORTAR FIRING STILL IN PROGRESS.

Prof. Steiner’s Balloon Reconoisance.

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, March 22.

A member of the 4^th Illinois cavalry, just arrived from Savannah, says, that on Sunday morning companies M. L and I, Maj. Bowman commanding, left their encampment at Pittsburg to make a reconnoisance in the vicinity of Purdy, which was being fortified by the enemy.

They proceeded ten miles through the forest and swamp, when they met a body of cavalry numbering one hundred, concerning whose presence in that vicinity they were previously informed by a rebel who mistook our forces for Confederates.  The rebels fired upon our boys when within a distance of two hundred yards, but did no damage, their shot going a long way overhead. – The squadron then formed in line of battle and gave the rebels a volley, upon which they retreated, with the loss of one of their captains.  Two hundred yards farther on they formed in line a second time.  Lieut. Chapin, of Chicago, was ordered to charge with Co. L., which he did with great gallantry, and the rebels were a second time routed.  Several attempts were made by the Confederate officers to induce their men to make another stand, but without success.  They were badly intimidated and uncontrollable.

Major Bowman, fearing that a further advance might lead his forces into ambuscade, ordered his men to retire to camp.

On Sunday evening the same companies, with a portion of the Ohio 5^th infantry, under command of Col. Taylor, were ordered to perfect the reconnoisance.  They commenced in the morning, and when about the same distance out, met a body of Confederate cavalry on their way to Pittsburgh, with the intention of surprising and cutting off our camp.  The rebels fired a single volley, as before, too high, and the three companies of the 4^th Illinois cavalry, under command of Capt. Dodge, were ordered to charge the enemy.  They did so, and delivered a well directed fire in their midst, with what result could not be ascertained on account of darkness.

The rebels retreated along the road which here runs diagonally, and when within a short distance from our left, where was stationed Co. I, halted, and saying to our boys, “for God’s sake don’t fire into your brothers,” immediately discharged a volley, killing none, but wounding four.

Company I returned their fire, and the rebels fled in great confusion.  Two of our boys were taken prisoners.  The casualties of the enemy are unknown.  The next day, on visiting the scene of the skirmish, there were found scattered over the ground hats, spurs, boots, sabres, pistols, dead horses, and the earth and leaves covered with blood, showing that our forces had done good execution in their midst.

The enemy removed their dead and wounded under cover of darkness.  While examining the battle field, the advance guard shot a fleeing rebel scout and captured two prisoners.

The Lexington arrived this morning from Tennessee river, and reports that our forces are scattering into the country round about Savannah, accomplishing nothing of importance besides the occasional capture of the enemy’s scouts, and the bring into our lines of prominent rebels charged with assisting the Confederates with money and provisions.

Our forces have entire possession of the Memphis and Charleston RR. In the vicinity of Savannah, and reinforcements cannot be sent to Memphis and other points threatened on the Mississippi by that channel of communications at least.

Gen. McClernand and his division were at Savannah.

Gen. Grant had established his headquarters at Pittsburgh.

LATER.

The New York Tribune correspondent has this moment arrived from Island No. 10, and reports that up to 11 o’clock to-day the firing was steady but less rapid than on previous days, and that it was confined to mortars almost exclusively.  The gunboats occasionally fired a shot, but nothing like a regular bombardment on their part was attained.

A well-directed shot from one of the mortars cut down the rebel flag flying from the upper battery.

To-morrow, Prof. Steiner, the aeronaut, makes an ascension with a view to ascertain the strength and the character of the enemy’s fortifications.

Gen. Pope has planted a battery on the Missouri shore, opposite Tiptonville, the rebel point of embarkation, five miles below Point Pleasant.

Well informed persons say Beauregard is in command at Island No. ten.  It is known that Bragg is at Corinth, Miss.

It is not expected that matters will culminate at the Island for several days.

CAIRO, March 23.

The gunboat Conestoga has just arrived from Island No. Ten, having left the fleet at dark last evening.  She returns in an hour.  She represents no change in the condition of affairs – the mortar and gun boats firing moderately.

Gen. Prentiss and staff arrived here this morning en route for Savannah.  He is ordered to report to Gen. Grant for duty, and will leave on the first boat for the Tennessee river.

The 2d Michigan Artillery and Capt. Powell’s Battery were sent up the Tennessee yesterday, as were also four transports with troops from Benton Barracks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

Columbus, Ky., March 4 [1862]

At 10 o’clock this morning the 27^th, 52d and 55^th Illinois Regiments hoisted the stars and stripes over the rebel fortifications at Columbus.

The gunboats Cincinnati, Flag ship Louisville, Carondelet, St. Louis and Lexington, with four more boats in tow of the steamer Lake Erie, and the 27^th Ill., Col. Buford, 52d Ill., Col. Roberts and 55^th Ill., Major Sanger, acting Colonel, upon the transports Aleck Scott, Illinois, Magill and Ike Hammit, left Cairo this morning at 4 o’clock for Columbus.

The fleet arrived at Lucas Bend, about two miles above Columbus, at 6 o’clock, and was drawn up in line of battle.  The drums beat to quarters, and guns were manned ready for action.  Two tugs were sent in advance reconnoitering, but failed to provoke a shot from the enemy.  Everything about the works was quiet.  Glasses revealed stragglers on the bluff and about the water batteries, and in a few moments a flag was raised.  Its character could not be made out.

The fleet gradually neared the town, and laid in the stream of Belmont battlefield, while scouts were sent out upon tugs towards the rebel works.  The tugs cautiously approached until within a quarter of a mile of the batteries, found the works deserted and both set off at the top of their speed for the honor of landing first.  The scouts rushed on the ‘double quick’ to the top of the bluff, and unfurled the stars and stripes, which were saluted by the crews of the gunboats as they steamed up to the town.  The transports landed their troops, and Columbus was in our possession.

The works were entirely destroyed, and the barracks, or rather rough board and log cabins, were burned.  An immense amount of stores and ordnance fell into our hands.  Many of their cannon were thrown into the river.  Six thirty-two pounders, some howitzers, and an almost innumerable quantity of grape, canister, shell and round shot, were found in the batteries.  The fortifications were very extensive, and its natural position almost impregnable.

Columbus is completely destroyed. – Every building was thoroughly ransacked and the contents destroyed by the rebels.  The rebels commenced leaving on Thursday last and finished yesterday.  The largest number ever there was 37,000.  Beauregard was not there.  It is believed that when the river falls all their guns will be found.

The land forces, mortar boats and the gunboat St. Louis remain in possession of the town.  The balance of the boats returned to Cairo in the afternoon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, March 3.

Captain Holeman, of the 7^th Ill. Cavalry, with 46 men, while making a reconnoisance of the country west of Charleston, Mo., came across 90 rebel cavalry, commanded by the veritable Jeff. Thompson, and after pursuing them a long distance forced them to make a stand about five miles below Sikeston.  Jeff.’s artillery was planted in such a manner as to command all approaches, and our forces were compelled to charge in the face of his battery.  This they did with great gallantry and succeeded in capturing four guns and putting the Confederates to flight, with a loss on our part of one man, who straggled from the command and was taken prisoner.  The rebel loss not ascertained.

The steamer Isetta arrived from the Tennessee river yesterday.  She reports that the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, accompanied by the transport Isetta, were approaching Pittsburg, a small town on the Tennessee river about eight miles above Savannah, and when within half a mile of the town were fired upon by a battery located upon a bluff overlooking the river.  The gunboats replied and for one-half hour shot and shell fell thick and furious.

At the expiration of that time the battery was silenced.  The gunboats continued to shell the battery for a half an hour, when, 86 marines and infantry left the boats. – They went ashore, burned one house, and visited one of the confederate camps.  The enemy again opened fire, but our forces repulsed and drove them over the hill.  The enemy’s forces, consisting of cavalry and infantry, being larger than the federals, they were enabled to flank them, and a retreat was ordered.  This was accomplished in good order under heavy fire.

Previous to the retreat our men captured a drum, upon which was painted, “Captured from the federal army at Manassas.”

The battery at Pittsburg had been established since the first visit of our gunboats to Tennessee river.  It is supposed that there were about 1,000 Confederate troops in the vicinity of Pittsburg.  Our loss is 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 3 missing.

The Isetta brought down about 800 bu. Of contraband wheat, belonging to one Russel, a notorious rebel, formerly of Louisville.  This was taken at Clifton.

The Isetta also brought down 20 Union refugees.  The officers of the boat represent the existence of considerable Union Sentiment in that part of Tennessee visited by our gunboats, and say that the woods along the river are full of Union men, who have been driven from their homes and await the arrival of the Federal forces to rid them of their persecutors.

At an election held at Savannah on Saturday, for Sheriff and clerk of the courts, the Union ticket received 370 votes and the secession 45.

A gentleman just arrived from Charlestown, Mo., brings intelligence of the capture of forty men belonging to Jeff. Thompson’s command, and four small 1-poounder guns.  The locality of the capture was five miles south of Sikeston.

Col. J. J. S. Wilson has resigned his position as assistant military manager of telegraphs.

CAIRO, March 1 – 9 P. M.

The sky is now most brilliantly illuminated by the reflection from a large conflagration, in the line of Columbus and apparently as far distant.  It is the opinion that Columbus is burned.  Rumors of its evacuation have been current in the streets all day.

Fresh rumors are rife here this evening of the evacuation of Columbus.  It is reported that the rebels have retreated to Island No. 10, and will make a stand there.  They claim it is the strongest position on the Mississippi river.  Men and pilots here, however, deny its claim in that respect.

The transport Economy was sunk in the Cumberland to-day.

No boats from up the river have arrived to-day.

Secretary Stanton’s recent order is still a theme of discussion here, especially the 3^rd regulation.  Various views of it are entertained, the most recognizing it as a judicious order.  Northern newspapers find their way to the rebels with the utmost regularity.  St. Louis papers reach Columbus daily, probably by bottle navigation.

The various newspaper correspondents at Cairo paid their respects to Gov. Kirkwood of Iowa, this evening.  The Governor has been here for some days, looking after the Iowa wounded.  He is firm in the belief that the rebellion is in process of rapid extinction.

The Cumberland river is very high and rapidly raising.

The Tennessee Legislature is still in session at Memphis.

A very bright light, as of a large conflagration, in the direction of Blandville, was seen from here last night.

The flag of the gallant Iowa 2d, the first which was planted on the enemy’s works at Donelson, arrived yesterday, en route for Iowa.  Three of the color bearers were killed and three wounded.

It is to hang over the speaker’s chair in the Iowa House of Representitives, and after the adjournment of the Legislature will be deposited in the archives of the Historical Society.  The flag bears the marks of the terrible conflict at Donelson, having no less than sixteen bullet holes through it.

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