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Submitted by James M. Burton
THE NEW-YORK TIMES The following order will appear in the morning papers of tomorrow: HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI, The Major-General commanding
the Department congratulates Flag-Officer Foote, Brig.-Gen. Grant, and the
brave officers and men under their command, on the recent brilliant
victories on the Tennessee and Cumberland. The was is not ended. Prepare for
new conflicts and new victories! Troops are concentrating from every
direction! We shall soon have an army which will be irresistible! The Union
Flag must be restored everywhere, and the enthralled Union men in the South,
must be set free! The soldiers and sailors of the Great West are ready and
willing to do this. The time and place have been determined on! Victory and
glory await the brave! REPORTS FROM CAIRO. A large number of rebel prisoners were brought down yesterday, who belonged on the Cumberland River, and as they passed their homes they looked wistfully for some face of recognition. Many were under the impression that they would be paroled, but when they found they were to be sent North, they were ready to take any oath. Two-thirds of the prisoners manifest a desire to return to their allegiance, and some acknowledge that they had been humbugged into their present unfortunate position. Six thousand prisoners have already arrived here, and others will be brought down as soon as transportation can be procured. The following is a special dispatch to the Chicago Tribune: Two more regiments were captured today to the east of the intrenchments. A number of rebel have come in, and themselves up. About 12,000 stand of small arms have been taken. Many of the rebel troops destroyed their arms, and large numbers were thrown into the river. There are two water batteries to the Fort. The upper one has a heavy rifled gun, thirty-two-pound bore, and two thirty-two-pounder carronades. The lower battery contains eight thirty-two pounders and one ten-inch columbiad, mounted in embrasures. All of today has been occupied in embarking the prisoners, gathering up the stores and munitions, and burying the dead. There are a great number of dead rebels still unburied. Capt. Latons, Aid to Gen. Grant, goes to Clarkesville tomorrow, under a flag of truce, with the bodies of two Colonels, and to effect the exchange of wounded prisoners who have been sent to Nashville by the rebels. Taylor's Battery was charged on five times on Saturday, and each time the enemy were repulsed with great slaughter. It is currently reported that Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, has ordered all Tennesseeans to lay down their arms. CAIRO, Wednesday, Feb. 19, It is believed now that a portion of the rebel prisoners will be sent to Alton, and others to Chicago, Fort Wayne and Detroit. Troops are continually arriving and departing for the zest of war. It is believed that, if permitted to do so, many of the rebel prisoners would gladly take up arms on the side of the Union. Numbers of the privates declare that they have seen enough of secession. The officers, however, are generally very morose, and bitter in their expressions against the North. In addition to the killed and wounded previously reported are the Forty-fifth Illinois Commissary and Sergeant Travis, killed; Lieut.-Col. Maltby, ball in the leg; Lieut. Boyce, Seat, Pappland, wounded. REPORTS FROM CHICAGO. The Chicago Tribune's correspondent, in giving a description of the battle at Fort Donelson, says the when Col. Cruft's brigade, which had been ordered to reinforce Gen. McClerand, came up in the rear of the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Illinois and Twenty-five Kentucky, those regiments were lying down, and firing over a crest of a hill. They rose, and not knowing whether the force in their rear was friend or foe, the Twenty-fifth Kentucky, supposing them to be rebels poured in a volley which did terrible execution, and was sufficient to throw the entire brigade into disorder at once, which was almost a panic. Some threw away their guns and equipment, and fled immediately. The woods were filled with stragglers, some even fled to Fort Henry. Then enemy improved the importunity, and advanced upon Schwartz's and Dresser's Batteries, capturing five guns, and taking possession of Gen. McClerand's headquarters, driving our forces nearly a mile and a half. Instead, however, of adhering to their supposed intentions to escape, the rebels resolved to follow up their advantage by pursuit. At this juncture, Gen. Wallace's, Division was thrown in front, and took a position on a ridge, with Taylor's battery in the center of the road. The rebels formed on the ridge which Gen. McClerand had occupied, and, rushed with success, moved forward. As soon as they came in range, Taylor opened on them with grape, canister and shell, causing the rebels to quail and come to a halt, and as the infantry advanced they began to fall back, and we recovered the ground previously lost. REPORTS FROM ST. LOUIS. About 5,000 infantry, two or three batteries of artillery,
a large number of mules and wagons, an immense quantity of stores, &c., left
today for the Cumberland. About 900 Fort Donelson prisoners, including some 40 officers, arrived today, and will be forwarded to some point East. The sick and wounded from Fort Donelson will be returned to their own State as far as possible. Quite a number of arrived here today, and were sent to Central Hospital. In order that nothing may occur to mar the pleasure of the contemplated celebration of Washington's birthday, the Provost Marshal has ordered that all drinking saloons be closed from sunrise of Saturday till sunrise of Monday. The Provost Marshal also orders that no pig or bar load shall be shipped from this port hereafter, without special permit from his office. LATEST FROM FORT DONELSON. The great fire which was seen up the river from this point last night was caused by the burning of the Tennessee Rolling Mills, four miles from here, by our gunboats. The works had been used by the rebels in the manufacture of shot and shell, and other war material. It was an extensive concern. Gen. Grant has promulgated a most stringent order against plundering from the inhabitants, also against stealing property taken in battle. Before surrendering, the rebels threw most of their late mails into the river. Col. Mazzland, Postal Director, however, succeeded in seizing a number of mail-bags and some outside letters, supposed to contain important information. Floyd's Brigade, fearing they might be taken, threw all their arms into the river. The crews of the gunboats are now engaged fishing them out. Capt. Dixon, the rebel Chief of Artillery and the engineer who constructed the fortifications, was killed in the bombardment of Friday in one of his own batteries. BEFORE THE BATTLE. The advance guard of the Bohemian Brigade took its departure from Fort Henry, about 8 o'clock yesterday morning, and after a most tedious and tiresome tramp over an abominable road, relieved by a short ride on some artillery horses, arrived within four miles of Donelson, when the sound of firing was heard, and we concluded to push on, on foot, in order not to be too late for what, with irony, is termed "the fun." Going within a mile and a half of Donelson, we found various companies of our artillery, infantry and cavalry desiring to post themselves in the situations assigned to them, but which they could not discover. They marched and countermarched, went up hill and down hill, and all were extremely desirous knowing where Donelson was - a question no one could answer. The correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, Curtis F. Gilbert, and myself had become separated from the rest of the Bohemians, and thinking the battle might soon begin, wished to find a position that commanded a view of the fort and the river. We were given various directions, but after wandering through bottoms, and climbing up hills, we could see nothing of the fort, and began to conclude that there was no such thing, when we encountered the Dovel Road, and learned that the Fort and outworks could be seen from a point thereon. The road between Henry and Donelson, I may remark, is at the end of through ravines and hollows, and over high hills, and at no point can one see to any distance before or behind him. In roaming about as a pedestrian, seeking a battle under difficulties, we encountered several human habitations, deserted by every one save women, a few slaves, and old men. The women were all in a great state of nervous excitement and alarm, and thought their houses would be burned and their throats cut, but after talking with some of our officers, and being treated with respect and courtesy, they concluded the Federalists were not half so bad as they had been represented. Indeed, they declared if their own people - the Secessionists - had been as considerate as ours, they would have no cause to complain. The entire region is stripped of arms of every kind, and most of the men have either run away, or are in the rebel army. One who travels in the South at this time must see that the Confederacy has, for months past, been straining every nerve, and that all their possible resources are in the field. The rebels have recupative power, and they know it. They cannot rally again; they have staked everything on the hazard of the die they have thrown; they must win or perish, and this desperate issue has given them the energy and strength they have displayed thus far in the rebellion. The settlements in the vicinity of Donelson are very few, but the people seem to be well-supplied with provisions and poultry, and what may be considered in comfortable circumstances. Dover, the capital of Stewart County, a town of some eight or nine hundred inhabitants in ordinary times, is about a mile above the fort, and at this period, I understand, nearly deserted. The women and old men complain bitterly of the war, and are at an entire loss to understand the cause of it. They say they were prosperous and happy as they desired before the present troubles, and cannot comprehend what is meant by the "wrongs of the South." They ardently desire the restoration of peace on any terms, and declare their hatred of the promoters and leaders of the rebellion. As they are women, privileged to say what they choose, it may be supposed there is some sincerity in their sentiments. I have mentioned that we had learned the Dover road lead to within a certain distance of Donelson, and we were soon on the way thither, but not before the sun had set. We went outside of our lines through a piece of woods, and could see the enemy working on their redoubt, not more then a quarter of a mile distant, and hear them talking. "D - oh the nigger-stealing Yankees," greeted our ears several times; "we'll give them h-l tomorrow." The morrow has come, and their threat will soon be determined. While we were standing on the spot, looking toward
the fortifications, a mounted picket rode up and told us we were in great
danger; that, dressed in old-mens' attire, we were liable, especially so
near dark, to be mistaken by either side for the enemy, and have a bullet
sent through our corporeal cerements; and that, had he not heard we had
proceeded in that direction from our cavalry, he would himself have sent a
noiseless messenger after us. The moon was soon above the horizon, and the night as beautiful and Spring-like as the day. By this time the different brigades and regiments all had their positions, and the camp-fires were lighted on the hillsides, and preparations made for preparing a simple meal and bivouacking as best they might. The fort is said to be entirely surrounded, so
that, in the event of a defeat, the rebels cannot retreat in order or
disorder; but I am somewhat skeptical on this point, as the Secessionists
have an aptitude for flight and escape that closely approximates to genius. The gunboats had not arrived last night, but were expected this morning. If they do not come then, Gen. Grant will wait for them until noon and at that hour open the attack with the land forces. There was occasional firing yesterday afternoon from our batteries, but the Fort did not reply; and our troops slept last night securely within easy shelling distance of Donelson, and had the rebels known it, they could readily have created a disturbance and havoc in the camps. About one o'clock in the afternoon a skirmish occurred on the Dover road, about a mile and a half from the Fort, between our pickets and those of the enemy: and the latter was driven in with the loss of three men killed and four wounded, while we had four wounded. The night passed very quickly, and without the least incident, our men sleeping on their arms. Gen. Grant made his headquarters in the farm-house of an old North Carolina woman, (where I am now writing,) and all are awaiting the great battle which will probably open about 9 o'clock this morning - the gunboats no doubt commencing the siege. The army seems greatly afraid the gunboats will finish the work without its cooperation, as they did at Henry, and I have heard many emphasized desires that the land forces may be enabled to take part in the battle. I have rarely seen men more impatient and vez than those on the road yesterday afternoon when they heard firing in the vicinity, and they could with difficulty be prevented from breaking ranks and hurrying to what they conceived to be the scene of action. Our soldiers all seem in good spirits, and anxious for the fight today. The tents are silent, the campfires are extinguished, and the troops sleeping an soundly as if they had never thought of danger, or dreamed of the approaching battle. LATER THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 3 ½ P. M. The gunboats, it is thought, began to tire this morning about 8 o'clock, and our batteries opened on the outworks of the fort from the hill, while the different regiments were posted in various localities surrounding Donelson. It was soon discovered the gunboats had not
arrived, and the fire from our batteries, the fort, the Sharpshooters, and
several of the regiments continued at intervals until this afternoon. The fight will probably be resumed tomorrow, but at present all is uncertain. The general question is, "Where are the gunboats, and why is the fort silent?" THE FIRST DAY'S FIGHTING - STRENGTH OF THE FORT - REBEL
AND FEDERAL LOSSES - THE GUNBOATS NOT PRESENT. A courier is just leaving, and I have only time to say that the siege began this morning at Fort Donelson, about 8 o'clock, the sole gunboat taking part being the Conestoga. Why the others did not arrive is a mystery no one can solve. Further reinforcements were received last night , it is said, at Donelson, and there are now 20,000 men, report says, within the fort. The fort in closes some fifteen acres, and the outer intrenchments a square mile. Gens. Pillow, Buckner, Floyd and Johnston are at Donelson, and feel their cause will be desperate if they lose this battle. Donelson is very strongly fortified, and has a very advantageous position, as it cannot be reached except in two or three places anything but heavy artillery. There were but one or two points in this vicinity from which the fort is visible, and the high hills and woods render the use of cannon very uncertain. An attempt was made to storm the breastworks about 11 o'clock this morning, by the Seventeenth and Forty-ninth Illinois; and though they fought desperately, they were repulsed with considerable loss. The First Missouri and other batteries were planted on the adjacent hills and fired during the day. The Sharpshooters - Col. Birge's Battalion - did good service, and it is supposed many of the rebels were killed. Our loss is said to be about 20 killed and some 150 to 200 wounded. Few officers were seriously hurt. Col. Morrison, of the Forty-ninth Illinois, was badly wounded in the hip, and Capt. Mandell of the Seventh Illinois, was killed. A number of the Lieutenants were wounded. If the batteries had been placed where the storming was made, it is thought the breastworks might have been carried. At this hour the different camps are so far apart, and
everything is so confused that no accurate details can be given. Exaggerated
statements have been made of the loss from the enemy, but the number I have
mentioned is believed to be nearly correct. Some of the wounded and all of the soldiers will suffer a good deal tonight, as the weather has turned cold, and heavy rain is falling. I will write you particulars as soon as possible. The
battle will probably be resumed tomorrow, and it is hoped the other gunboats
will by that time have arrived. Our entire force is not over eighteen thousand men. EVACUATION OF CLARKSVILLE. The Rebel Forces Retiring to Nashville. |
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