BEDFORD INQUIRER.
BEDFORD, Pa.
Friday Muriitug. Feb 28, 1862.
"FEARLESS AND FREE."
—rr~~: —.T~T r~: —: r ■'? . . r
l>. OVER-Editor and Proprietor.
'■fc- - I I I I " _ _
Z3Z5$ ? ?} 5
To all whom it miy Concera.
We hare a good deal of money t pay the com
ing spring, and jttdgirtg th* future by the past, we do
not roni ier it worth while to send om accounts.—
IV wi'l therefore bora this time forth ptacs our ac
c-.uttts that are <>v<-r two years >ld, in the hands of
• Justice, in Fedford, Wcollection. So look out,
take warning, and don't get mad for wo intend to
commence thin week. We intend, also, to ttike
"It our list all worthless snhscribers; they arj the
drones that keep printers down.
The following article from too Ha rrtsbtirg
T/e ir<i)i/i, tut- the latitude of Bedford, as
weJ' ■ that of fiariLbnrg. Who cau't point
nut on our streets, at any moment, one of these
aiders and abettors, but now "ucw made pa
triots." For our prt, we do uot intend that
they oh*!! cl.ioi precedence over honest men
and true patriots, in* their cew-born love
for the Union. But read the article, and sea
how admirably tbo Telegraph depicts them:
NEW MADE PATRIOTS.
It is wonderful what a difference a Union
vict iry iiuks* in the way that som9 people r-
I'.arJ the it'bcllioß. There are fellows around
who hwee foi months been decrying the war,
who have persistently argued that the govern
ment oouIJ never "conquer the south;" that
tfce fonder the war contioued the stronger and
more determined the rebels would become, and
lint the only true policy was to recognise the
in dependence of the southern confederacy.—
the Union army has been the constant butt of
ttnir remarks, and Bull KUD and Big Bethel
were standing jokes with them. They secretly
applauded at every reverse and sneered at and
depressed every victory of the government
arms. But now when Gen. Scott's big snake
begins to contract in earnest, when the rebels
find themselves flanked in all directions; when
the eastern coast is at lastopeu to oar advance
and we have flvcted an opening through the
very heart of rebeldoui, indicating and prom
ising a rp'cdv wiping out of the traitors from
the face of the earth, —ibese fellows begin to
slug a different tune and talk in the most pa.
iriouo tuinuer of the cause of the Union and
tiie villaoy of the rebels, and are even ready
to "p'iedgu their lives, their fortunes and sa
cred honor for the supper! of the government."
The north ju.-t now is full of these newly made
patriots, li is astonishing to see their aeal
now-a-days for the war! We would suggest,
however, that the government owes them small
thanks for their suuJen ardor in iu o.iuse.—
When the nation was in gloom and dismay—
when treasun was jubilant and audacious—
when the three mouths recruits demanded tp
be discharged—these now noLy friends of the
government, were then the equally noisy defa
ult r3 of what they termsd its imbecilities snd
failures. It is well to mark such men. In
this city they are known for their vituperation
of Republicanism, and their sickly adulation
of the rebel leaders. We venture the asssr*
tion that there is not a man who reads this par
agraph hut knows men such as those to whom
we now refer, and who could, if necessary,
point to these individuals daily in the streets.
22D OF FEBRUARY.
The anniversary of the birth of tbo Father
of his country, was celebrated at the Bedford
Ilotel, in the eveQtug. An exoellent en
tertainment, in the shape of a splendid enpper,
wis gotten up by "mine host/' Col. Jno. Ha
fer. After doing full justice to the "good
thing?" whioh abounded on that occasion, the
crowd adjourned to the parlor, where Hon.
Alexander King was chosen Chairman The
Farewell Address cf the Father of his ooun
try wts then read in a dear and forcible man*
ner by Hon. Samuel L. Russell. After the
reading of the address, patriotic speeches were
made in response to calls from the crowd,
by Major P. H. Tate, Geo. H. Spang, Esq.
Hoo. Alex. King, John Palmer, Esq., and
David Over. The crowd adjourned some
time before the "we sma' hours" in the beet of
humor. Altogether it wss a decided sucoess.
Messrs. Jas. B. Sansom SL Bro., have dispos
ed of the Fulton Democrat, to Messrs. 11. G.
Smith &J. U. Shsfcr, Mr. Sansom, has eon
duetad that paper for over iwelve years. We
wish the retiring and oew editors all tho pe
cuniary sucoess in the vrorld.
To the exclusion of many other thiogs we
publish a long and interesting account of the i
battle of Fort Dondaon. j
It is not jet known how inooy killed and
wounded wc have lo?t *t Fort Donelson, but it |
is thought it wiii reach ten cr twelve hundred
and that cf the enemy fully as many.
Ex-Governor Pennington of New Jersey,
died at Newark ou the 15th inst. He was
elected Speaker of tho House of Representa
tives after the protracted struggle in 1860.
He was a good man and a patriot.
Nathaniel Gordon, the Slave trader, was
hung in New York on last Friday. This is the j
first execution for this crime in the United i
States. • J
We publish au article tn the lUo't'ui of
school Directors, from our p<per of Maich 1860-
It is from the pen of Mr. J. li. Durboirnw.—
Some fellow, under the signature of Block
Log , has published thin article as bis own, in
the Shirleysburg Herald.
We understand that tie dstnlat School ex
hibition at litoody RUM, on Fridav and Satur
day nights last, was an excellent aflair. There
will be sßother exhibition on Saturday night.
Let all attend.
Our boys at Port lioyal, have sent borne
several thousaud dollars. Good.
VICTORY OF FORT DOAELSOA.
FULL AND THRILLING ACCOUNT OF
THE BATTLE.
[ Corrisponicwr. of tht Missouri Democrat.]
FORT DONELSON, Monday, Fob. 17.
THE MOVEMENT FROM FORT HENRY.
Weduesdty wss quietly consumed in moving
from Fjrt Henry and getting into position be- !
fore the rebels a mile and a half from the Cum
berland and the Fort against which we were
moving. It was a uiuat glorious day. The
atmospueie was cool and invigorating, yet with
a bright sun and genial breeze wafted up from
the South, it seemed more like a day in May
than one s>si!l in the winter solstice. Its effeot
upon our troops ws excellent. Enthusiastic
and eager to meet the enemy SDV time, tbey I
left their camps, which uiany of them were
destiued never again to see, with a cheerful
ness and buoyancy of spirit# which would load
ignorant spectators to suppose that soino gala
day entertainment was at hand.
t Most of Gen. McClercand's division had
crossed the slough of despoud which encircles
Fort Henry, the afternoon before. General
Smith's division began their transit across Ibe
river at a seasonable hour, snd at nine o'clock
the entire army, about 18.000 strong, wero ou
the move to the eastward. The character .of
the movement of the army from Foit Ilenry
will probablj be best understood by the fol
lowing order of the night previous:
HJSALQUABTERS, DISTRICT OF CAIRO, ')
FORT HENRY, Term., F,b. 11, 1862. (
[General field Orders, ~\B. 12 ]
The troops designated in General Field Or
ders, No. 9, will move to-morrow, as speedily
as possible, iu the following ordei:
One brigade of the first division will move
hy the Telegraph Kosd directly upon Fort
Doneisou, baiting for further order# at a dis
tance of two miles from the fort. The other
brigades of the first division will nioyo by the
Dover Ridge road, and halt at the same dis
tance from the fort, agd throw out troops so as
to form a continuous line between the two
wings.
The two brigades of the seoood division now
at Foit Henry, will follow as rapidly as prac
ticable by the Dover road, and will be follow*
ed by the troops from Fort Helman as fast as
they can be ferried across the river.
One brigade of the seoond division should
be throwu into Dover to cut off all retreat l-y
the river, if found practicable to do so.
The force of the enemy being so variously
reported, it is impossible to giro exet details
of attack, but the necessary orders will be
given cn the field.
By order of Brigadier-Goneral U. S. Grant,
commanding.
JOSHUA RAWLINS, A. A. G.
PKPARTCAB OF GEN. GRANT.
The army btiog well started, Gen. Grant
and staff left their headquarters on the steam
er Uncle Sum, about ten o'clock, aud followed
rapidly after a division which had taken the
ridge, or more southerly route. The road 9,
after once getting beyoud the low grounds in
the immediate vicinity of the fort, were admi
rable. The sandy soil had soon absorbed the
great amount of tain which had fallen a few
evdoiog* previously and which had so retarded
tho aavauce of our army cn Fort Henry—and
now fairly on the high land, infantry, artillery
and cavalry moved forward without delay.
FROM FORT HENRY TO THE ENEMY.
Toe route for the mist part led along the
high laDd of the ridge, through densely wood
ed country, with sign? n f a butnaa habitation,
or even of cultivation, but rarely visible. 1
might here state that all of the section between
Fort Henry and Donelson is of this charao'er—
a mere succession of hills and valleys, thiokly
wooded with oak and "seaond growth," and
with hero and there a cluster of pine gro\6s,
whose evergreens contrasted with the barren
vegetation surrounding. The ridges vary
from one hundred to three hundred tVet la
bight. Through most of the valleys are pure
streams of water, which, as they approach the
Tennessee aDd Cumberland, to which tbey are
tributaries, gradually assume, on aooount of
back water from them, the magnitude of large
streams, which iD no small degree sunoyed
our Generals in their maneuvering of their
eomtuands
We pressed on amid the moving eolutnns
which lined the road without any incident
worthy of special note, until one o'clock, whan
cuiergiug from the woods into a little clearoi
valley, we found Gen. McGleruand aud staff.
Several regiments were drawn up IB line of
battle order on our right, and through the val
ley and up to the ridge, in frout and to the
northeast of us; we could see the gleaming of
the bayonets of Oglesby's brigade, our advance.
THE EN KM Y.
Receiving information that the enemy had
been seen on the ridge in front of us, General
Grant iiumrdiately orderod the bills to be oc
cupied by our forces moving in line of battle
order. It was finely executed—the men push
ing even front through the brush,
over brooks and fences, until (be desired point
had beeu reached.
la the meantime, while this order was beiog
carried out, sharp musketry tiring was heard
up the hill over which the road led, and occu
pied by Gen. Oglesby's Brigade. It was but
brief, however, aud upou going forward it was i
usoertained that a small advance force of the j
enexny had been met by the Eighth Illinois,!
uDder Lieut. (_ jlonel Frank Rhodes, aud af
ter a slight skirmish, driven back with a loss
<>f a few killed and wounded on their side j
t-d 'cor wounded of the Eighth, who were -
now being promptly attended to by the sur
geous.
The Eighth, Thirtieth snd Thirty-first Uli- j
noL were-drawn op cn the road in line of bat- 1
BEBFOEB IBiaBIEER.
tie, aud iu the front Capt. Sekwartt bad got a
couple of bis guns in position, ready for any
emergency. Gen. Gr aut here gave orders for
a still further advance to the next ridge North
and left of u->, and then returned to the for
, thor advance of the brigades behind. Ketro
i grading to tbe open field, Gen, Smith waa met,
who stated that his division was cloae behind,
and would soon be op to support any advance
( which might be made.
! A CAMP OF aHE ENEMY LISCOVERKI).
|, After considerable soouring of tbe woods to
; the north, it was discovered that what rebels
were to be seen were on the road to the front
of us. Our advance soon after discovered
their encampment on * barren hillside, direct
| iy in front of us, and on the uiain road lead
ing to tbe Cnmberland. A further movement
on the part of Gen. Ogleaby'a division disco
vered more forces poited on a high ridge lead
ing west of this encampment, and as our regi
i meets swept around from their respective po -
1 aitions on the road to tbe right and left, and
gradually coming round with a face to the
north, there we were face to face with the ene
my. This, however, was not discovered in
stantly. The encampment of tbe enemy very
naturally was the chief point of attraction,
and towards it, having got his Loops in proper
position, Gen. Grant first directed his attention.
But few troops were visible about it, and at
first it was difficult to ascertain where the re
bel force* had been distributed. Oae of tuo
| 12-pound rifled James' cannon of Dupee's
j battery, was ordered to atir theui up a little,
i but although he threw a shell with snub accu
racy, not a response oould be got, and were it
not for indication# of a large force posted on
tbe ridge to the west of the camp, it would
have seemed their chivalry had repeated their
Fort Henry achievement, and had decamped
on nur approach. Thua were matters at baif
past three o'olock, P. M., when Uglesby's
brigade, which occupied the road ou the bill,
were ordered to advance. Tbey filed douw
the bill, anticipating an immediate opening of
the fight, with a determination and confidence
most inspiriting. Soino waro still smoking
their pipes with easy nonchalance, while ail
went forward with a spirit and will which well
foreshadowed the gallant deeds subsequently
performed by them. Tho Eighteenth, Eighth,
and Thirtieth reselling the bottom of the hill,
1 filed out into an open field to the lefr, aud
formed iu line of battle. Other regiments
went on the ridge still farther to the west.
THURSDAY'S OPERATIONS.
Thursday opened & dear and acreoe as the
day beforo it. Upon the first coming of the
dawn cur pkirinishcrs had descended into the
vsiley, and our artiilery, posted on the bills,
had opened an experimental fire, which being
occasionally returned by the enemy, gave us
turns information in regard to tha position of
their batteries. The night before we were in
possession of but little information in regard
to the character of their fortifioatioDs, and al
though it was generally supposed we were in
front of some rather formidable works, I do
not think even our Generals were prepared for
the disclosures whioh the operations of the
morning bad made- known to them. Instead
of an outer work to temporarily impede our
approaeh, it was aoon ascertained that we
were directly in front the resr of the fortifi
cation of the fort itself. These works begin
ning or. the Cumberland, at the southerly side
of Dover, and the main fort ran around on tho
top of the high ridges before us to the head of
the back-water on the north, here and there
with bastion works of a formidable character,
and at all points with formidable batteries
sweeping the more available approaches.—
These ridges vary frona one hundred sod fifty
to three hundred feot in height, and are cov
ered with the most dense timber and under
growth, oonocaling in a great measure the cha
racter of the enemy's defences, the few balls
which tbey were induced to occasionally favor
us with, afforded, for the most part, our only
clue as to the ealibre of their guns.
During the night previous, Gen. Oglosby,
in advancing along the ridge running toward
the river above the fort, and which formed
car right wing, suddenly cmuo upon a battery
swaeping the road upon whioh he was advan
cing. The enemy, either oot aware at the
time of the vicinity of the force, or wishiug it
to advance still further, refraiued from open
tog, and tbo General managed to withdraw his
men without suffering anything worse than a
bad scare. If the battery had given them
the contents of their guns, the fire must have
decimated tha eutire brigade. Soma few guns
were discharged by our men in tbo confusion
of the moment, and the horse of a certaiu
obaplain became frightened and began a Sight,
whioh bid fair to land the non-combatant
plump over the batteries. A few agonizing
"whoaa" and still more emphatic pull?, how
ever, checked the rebellious tendencies of the
beast, and the parson, I noticed, esuhewed
horses ever after.
This morning, Gea. O.'s brigado forced the
enemy from this position, and subsequently
from another, and advanced the right wing
still farther towards the river. A subsequent
movement completed the lines of eircutnvalla
tion nearly to the river itself, aDd gave us a
position rendering the arrival of any more re
inforcements from Nashville hardly probable.
OPERATIONS OP BIRGE'B SHARPSHOOTERS.
In the meantime Birge's Sharpshooters were
doing good execution both to the right and
left of this position. In squads of skirmish
ers they crawled up the ravines, of the ridge
on which the batteries and tbe rifle-pits of the
eneiuy were looated, and lying ooncealed be
hind stumps and logs, woe to tbe unwary rebel
who dared to show his head above the entrench
ments. Tbe continual crack of the Dimick
rifle could be heard from these ravines
all day, and at last became a perfect terror to
tbe enemy. Lying in this position, these men
for half a day completely silenced tbe battery
whioh covered the road over which tbe Seventh
had advanced in tbe morning. In vain attempt
after attempt was made to man the guns, but
hardly had the gunners grasped their swabs
ere a score of bullets would drop them in their
tracks. The enemy were uot without tboir
sharpshooters, too, who would in turn attempt
a response, but so vigilant were the Birgos,
that but few of their bullets did much harm.
I have beard of but eight or ten casualties in
tbe entire regiuaeut.
Thus pased Thursday morning. General
McClernand's gradually closing in toward the
river on the right, and Gen. Smith slowly and
surely completing his line of cirouiuvaliation
eu tbe left.
[PTOBMING THE ENEMY'S REIKILBTS ON TU*
IIIQHT.
Iu the atferuoou Gcu. MuCleruaud deter
mined to Ui*kc u terminable assault ola re
, uc-übi ot the tunny In uliug about tbe centre
[ot Lia ngbt wing. Tb redoubt *w about the
only oue atncti could be distinctly seen by u,
owing to the t.moer auu uudorgrowth. At
| it.i point the gruuud was (or lire must part
vciu ot iaige tiuiOei, the barreu cxteuuitg
tveu tejoDu the road oa the ridge over whiob
: our troo| e pjn.-eo. 'lbe batteries ou this ro
oooLt hau got a very perfect range hers, and
gave our troops considerable uneaaiuoss by bia
sing away at them whenever tbey passed over
the brow of the hill. Three regiments were
detailed for the work—the Forty-eighth, Sev
enteenth &ud Foity-nuiih Illinois. They ad
vanced in line of battle order, the Forty-ninth,
Col. Morrison, ou the right, the Seventeenth,
under command of Major Smith, (both Colo
nel and Lent. Colonel being absent,) in the
ceutre, and the Forty-eighth, Col. Haiuey, on
the left. Cel. Mormon, aa senior Colonel,
led tHe attack. The advance was a most beau
tiful one. With skirmishers advanced iu
frout, the three regiments swept down the hill,
over a knoll, down a raviue, and up a high
hill ou which the redoubt was situated, some
250 or 300 feet iu bight, covered with brush
aud stomps, ail the time receiving a galling
tire of grwpe, shell and musketry, with a pre
otsion wtueU would have done ibeui credit on
the parade giouud. The breastworks were
uearly reaahed, when Col. Morrison, who was
gullautly Icauiug ou his uieu, was struck by a
musket halt. The captain of the company on
nis light also fell, ana tle Forty-uiuth fell in
to some confusion; but unparalleled, the Sev
enteenth still gallantly prcfsed forward ana
pcueirateU even to the very foot 0 f the works,
iiut it was not iu it,e power of niau to acale
the abaitio .before ihem. iitush piled upon
brush, witu sharp points fronting them every
where, mtt lutu. wucrevcrthey lumt-d; and so,
after a lew lntereuanges of musketry wuii the
ewai uiiug regimcuts wuich had been conctutra
ted here, tue oider for retiriug was givcu. It
was done in good oider by filing off to the
mtt, and ohlitjuing into the woods below; Lot
uiauy a gallant soldier was lelt behiud uodei
noath the eotienehmcnts they had vainly sought
to mouut. J hey were not, however, destined
to die uuavenged. Scarcely had our retiriug
columns got out oi' range, ere Tayior's Chica
go battery opened on the swaimiug rvhel uiab
ses with sheil and shrapnel, with fearful effect
Every guu was aimed by the Captain himself,
and every one of them did honor to hit ru.uk
uiauship.
A SORTIE ON THE LETT.
About the sauio time that these stirring
scenes wore being enacted on our right wing,
the enemy made a furmidabio soma ou our
left. The Twenty fifth Indiana, one of the
regiments of Gea. Smith's division, having at
one time during the course of the day got iu
to an exposed positiou, the enemy promptly
• vailed themselves of ths opportunity afforded
them, aud made a most formidable sortie from
their cntreuch.'u.'ots. Although taken at a
disadvantage, the Tweoty-fitth tuet the advanc
ing forces bravely, and although suffering se
verity, with the aid of other regiments, which
promptly proceeded to their assistance, drove
them tuck to tLair biding piaces. The les
son seemed to be most salutary. No further
sorties were uiide iu this direction.
THE FLEET.
During the day much uneasiness was felt
as to tLe whereabouts of the gun-boat fleet.—
it was, therefore, with no little gratification
that information was at last received about
ooon on Thursday, tint the avaot courier of j
the flier, the Caroudoict, Lieutenant Walker, j
bad arrived below the fort. In the afternoon
the report of her guua was received with cheer
upon chcirby the troops encircling the be*
ieugurei fort.
Lieutenant Walker's operations this after
noon, although partaking more of the nature
of a recoonoissance, were considered by the
rebel officers, as I have since ascertained, as
one of the most formidable attacks they had
to eucouoter. Hidden behind a jutting prom
ontory of the river bank, the (Joroudolet itself
secure from the heavier shots of the ooluuibi-.
ads of the fort, hurled shell upon shell into
the water batteries of the fortifications. The
commander of these batteries has recently in
formed uie that the fire of the Uorondolct did
muie actual damaga to bis guns than the
heavy buiahardmcut following the succeeding
day.
THURSDAY NIGUT.
The night of Thursday will long be remetu
bered by the troops surrounding Dooclson.
The weather, which for the two previous days
had been so mild and genial, toward the close
of the afternoon became chilly and loweriog.
About six o'clock a heavy rain set in. Dur*
ing the warmth of the day before, when mo
mentarily expecting to meet the enemy, whole
regiments bad oast aside their overcoats and
blankets, and without tents, and, in the great
majority of cases, occupying positions render
ing a fire a sure mark for the enemy's batte
ries, with nothing to eat but oold rations, their
condition was deplorable indeed. -
To add to their disoomfort, when thoroughly
saturated witb rain, a pelting snow storm set
in, with an enemy iD front continually annoy
ing and annoyed, but little sleep wus indulged
in. The only demonstration of importance on
the part of the rebels, during the night, was
a formidable attempt on the rijjht wing to ob
tain Taylor's Battery. Tbe Twentientb Indi
ana, lying in the woods below it, however, af
ter a brisk skirmish in tbe midnight darkness,
sent the intruders baok to their fortifieatious
again.
FRIDAY.
The weather of Friday was iu striking cooa
trasl to that of the morning previous. Tbe
ground was oovored with snow to the depth of
a oouple of iuebes, and a breeze that would
have done honor to the Artie rcgious, swept
across the desolate ridge upon whiob our ar
my was lying. Th inhabitants of the coun
try roundabout averred that they had rarely
experienced o severe a day. Still was our
foroe on the outer edge of the formidable
works, that wander where one might, be was
sure.te find rising before him. Tbs entrance
to these works were still to be gained—the lo
cation even of the door still was to be fouud .
1 must admit, that riding along our lines on
Friday again, and witnessing the formidable
field works of the enemy (between five and
six miles in extent), which reared themselves
everywhere to the front of or, i feared that
ibe task of reducing thetn would be at the best
a matter of considerable time. Bat, cold and
hungry, and with garments stiff with frost, the
aoldiare were .-till hopeful and firm. 1 did
not find a single discouraged man, or eoe, if
he werp ao, who would admit it. The univer
sal sentiment was, ac bluff Col. Ogiesby ex
pressed it. "We came here to take that fort,
and we will take it," and it is this eelf-eame
spirit of dogged determination, and steady,
long enduring courage, peculiar to the Anglo
Saxon of the North, that at last outwore tba
perhaps moro impetuous bravery of the oppos
ing force.
Nothing of especial note transpired along
the lines on Friday. The sharpshooters not
withstanding the cold,enscoused themselves in
their old positions or the hillsides, and were
as great a terror as ever to the gunners of the
batteries above them. Caveoder, Taylor,
Woods, (of MeAliater'a battel y), Dresser aud
Swartz would occasionally exchange a valen
tine, as tbey were playfully called, but there
were DO such bloody affairs as bad cbarftter
iaed the operations uf the day previous. The
batteries, too, had got the range of one anoth
er's positions so accurately, that I imagined
both parties had preferred, in absence of any
positive orders to the contrary, to linger beside
the camp are, juit out of range of the other's
guus, than to indulge in idle badinage.
ARRIVAL Of REINFORCEMENTS—THE GUN
BOAT ATTACK.
The long expected gun-boat fleet, together
with the reinforcements, had, however, come
to baud, and it exacted that the latter
could be brought up, so as to j >in witu in
other forces as u general assault in the rr, j
while the gun-boats itt-okoJ in front. Toe
oisianco from thd river to the left of our right
wing was, however, so great, that but few reg
iments arrived even before dirk. Gen. Grant's
judgment, therefore, much against his will, led
him to adjourn the assault until he bad ail his
available force iu proper po-itioß.
Tbo bombardment of the gun-bo.t fl et be
gun about half-past two, and continued two
hours. Pour of the iron-clad and twu of the
wooden boats participated iu the fight, which
was of a fearful nature. Expecting me assault
on tho rear nf the .'ort, I was urn present to
witness the naval attack, and shall upt attempt
therefore, to give any detailed account of it.
It is however, described by the officers eogag
cd iu it, as altogether exceeding iu fierceuess
the bombardment of Fort Henry. At all
events the effect upon the boats was much
more severe, and subsequent investigations
have led me to believe that the injury inflicted
on the rebels waa not so great either as at
the fortifications. This Utter is, probably, j
owing to the fact that the twelve guns of the
fort commanding the river were at a consider
able elevation, and it therefore was much more
difficult for the naval gunners ti get their
exact range, or one obtained to keep it, while
the boats were stcadiiy advancing.
EATUBDAV.
Saturday, which was destined to witness
tbo grand denouement of the tragedies
which nad a scene about Doneleon, was cold,
damp aud cheerless. Our troops, however,
had but little time to cogitate upon the weath
er, or any other subject, ere tbey were called
upon to attend to more setious matters. The
•uemy during the uigiit, had iransferted sev
eral ut then batteries to portions of fbeir
works within a few hundred teet of which our
extreme right wing was retting. L'pou the
first oouiiug of dawn these batteries suddenly
opened on the Ninth, Eighteenth, Twenty
ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first iiegiuieuts,
comprising Ogiesby's Brigade, and who hau
tbe advance. Simultaneously with the open*
tug of the batteries, a force ot about 12,000
infantry and a regiment of cavalry, was hur
ried against tno Brigade with a vigor which,
made against less stoady aud well disciplined
troops, must surely have resulted in their en
tire demolition.
Sudden and unexpected as was the sail; on
the pirt ot lee enemy, it aid not find the gal
lant IliiuuiuGs unprepared to meet them. Tue
attack was made tu columns of regtmeute,
which poured iu upou the little bupd troiu no
less than three different directions. .Every
regiment of the brigade found iueif opposed
to three, and in niny cases to no less thau
four different; regiments. Undismayed, how
ever, by tbe greatly superior force of the en
emy, and unsupported oj adequate aitiilery,
the brigade not outy held their own, but upon
two occasions actually drove tbe rebels fairly
iulo their entrenchments, but only to be press
ed back again into their former position, until
at last, having expended every round of their
ammunition, they wero obliged to retire and
give way to tho advancing regiments of Col.
VV. U. L. Wallace's brigade of the eleventh
Twentieth, Seventeenth, Forty-fitth, Forty
eigbtb Illinois, and Forty-ninth Indiana reg*
lmeots.
The battle, for the most part, was fought
in a forest, with a thick undergrowth beneath,
and regiments acted mostly on the principle
of hiltiog a bead wherever it could be found.
Swat miug on all sides of them, thsy were uot
at a loss to fiud them. One regiment was on
ly driveu from betore them when another
sprung up to take its place, and there is hard
ly a regiment of the foroe engaged but was
opposed to tripple its numbers. Thus went
the tide of battle for five hours—now gaining
a little, hut upon the whole obliged to retire.
Officers and men dropped upon all sides. Field
offioers were borne, killed and wounded from
the field, and their next iu oooiiy
took their place and continued the fight.—
Lieutenant-Colonel White of the Thirty-first,
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith of the Forty-eighth,
Lieutenant-Colonel lrvin of the Twentieth,
and Major Post of tho Eighth Illinois, and
scores of company officers were all killed, gal
lantly leading on their men.
And still with uoyielding courage the gal
lant lilinoisians and Indiauiaus would not ac
knowledge themselves vanquished. When tbe
last cartridge had beta expended, and orders
were given to retire for other regimenta to
take their place, soldiers, grim with smoke
and powder, would angrily inquire for what,
and beg to be allowed to use the bayonet.—
But it was not in the power of mortal men,
occupying the position oars did, and exposed
to such a raking artillery fire aa the enemy
subjected them to, to maintain their grouud
against the overwhelming foroe which the reb
els oontinued to push against them.
OENEEAL SMITH'S ASSACr.T.
Gen. Smith, is, emphatically, a fighting
I man, and ss may be imagined, the events of
the morning had tended to decrease io no mea
sure his pugnacity. When be received his
long desired orders for RD assault of the ene
my's works, his eyes glistened with a fire which
could ,it have been teen by bis malignerr,
would have left them in no doubt as to his'
private feelings in regard to the present con*
test. All the arrangements were completed
by three o'clock, and h:s column was put in
inotiou soon after. The foreo under bis corn
tuand waa as follows;
Col. Cook's Brigade—Seventh Illinois, Pit*
tiotb do., Twelfth lowa, Thirteenth Missouri,
Fifty second Indiana.
Col. LautiWi Brigade—Second lowa,
Soveuib lowa, Fourteenth lowa, Twenty-fifth
Indiana, Fifty-sixth Indiana.
Under cover of Capt. Stone's Missouri bat
tery, this force began the assault. It was a
formidable undertaking, which, under a lets
brave and skillful commander than Gen. Smith
might have proved a disastrous failure.
The bills at this point are among the most
precipitous of those upon which the enemy
were posted. Selecting the Second and Sev
enth lowa, aud the Fttty-second Indiana fur
the storming party, Gen. Smith dtflicted the
uiaiu portion of his division to the right, and
having succeeded in engaging ths attention
of the enemy at this point, himself headed
the atoriuiog party and advanced upon tba
works from bis extreme left. It was a most
magnificent sight. Uo&ppaJled by tba perfect
storui of Bullets which rained about htm, the
General on hoisebaek, aud with bis hat on
the point of bis ewofd preceded his troops, and
inspired them with a future there was uo with
standing.
f b'tdisiiy with unbroken line, the gallant
Ha.k e>e ana Induuwns advanced. The en
emy's giup:s and canister came plowing through
their rank;, but tut a abut was fired la return.
CiosiDg up tue racks as one alter another of
the brave fellows dropped to the evrtb, tad
aLiuitied by ills fearless exitnpie of ibeir ua
daunted ieaoer, they pressed steadily on.
The wurkd gaiuca, cue trotuendous voliey was
p juied into the astoDisbed enemy, and with
tixsd bayjneifl, a charge was made into their
ranks wh.cb there was no withstanding. They
ficd in eoufusiao over the bills, and at last
we had penetrated the rebel Sebastopdl, and
the misfortunes of the morning were retrieved.
(Japt. Stone's battery, which, iu the meantime,
had been doing tremendous execution in tba
rebel ranks, was promptly advanced to the po
sition gained, aud tuataaiiy, support rd by the
remainder of bis division, the point was secur
ed ugliest any force the enemy oould bring to
bear against it.
qkn. i.tw Wallace's attack on the iuoiit.
In the meantime, Geo. Lew. Wallace ha i
' oouopleted his preparations for an attack on
| the enemy occupying the position he had
! wrested from us in the morning, some two
; miles and a half to ( the right. Just as his coN
< umo was being put in motion, a messenger ar
rived with ihe joyful tidings that Smith was
inside of the en tieuchmenig.
With a cheer that resounded far and near,
the irresistablo Eighth Missouri and Eleventh
Indiana, whioh occupied the front, advanced
on the double quick into the encounter they had
so long been seeking. These two regiments, from
their superiority in drill nnii fighting capacities
have been considered a "crack corps," and most
ncbly did they uphold to the letter their enviable
reputation.
They did not t trry long to bother with the pow
der and bali, but with a about of itself terrific
enough to appal their toes, gave them the cold
steel with a will which will long be remembered.—
Shell and round shot, grape and canister were
buried at them in vain.
Still onward tbSV pressed, and regiment after
regiment fled before them. Valiantly supported by
the First Nebraska, Thirteenth Missouri, and other
regiments of Col. Thayer's and Craft's brigades, a
steady advar.ee was made, until by dusk the ground
whicti had been so hotly contested in the morning,
was oura again, and once more the rebels were for
ced to seek the protecting shadow of the earthworks.
The effect of these successes upon the army was
electrical-six hours before, with gunboats disabled
and the enemy in possession of a portion of our
ground, tbe position of affairs was gloomy, indeed ,
But now all was changed. Elated with victory and
the knowledge that at la*t they had obtained a foot
bold in the enemy's fortifications, and savage at the
thought of the privations they had eacountered,
and at being so long balked in the possession of
their prey, officers and men alike clamored for an
immediate assault that night.
Gen. Grant, however, mindful of the risks atten
ding such an operation, even with troops exhibiting
such veteran charicteristics as those underpins com
mand had displayed wisely postponed the tins, coup
de main till the coming of the morrow's light.
What the morrow brought forth, and how tba
rebels, worn out and dispirited by the protracted
beleaguerment concluded to give up their strong
hold and lay down their arms is already well known.
Tbe more detailed particulars of tbe surrender of
Fort Donelson, and its cordon of field works, tbe
departing mail allows me no time to speak of.
ti W. 8..
MORE GOOD NEWS FROM THE WEST.
St. Louis, Feb. 20. —Gen. Halleck baa
sent tbe following despatch to General Mo-
Clellae:
"Claiksville baa been taken, with supplies
enough for our army for twenty days, and is
now occupied by General Smith's division,
"Gen. Price, being reinforced by MoCdl
looh's command, made a stand at Sugar Creek
Crossing, in Arkansas, on the 19th, but wug
defeated after a abort engagement and again
fled. Many priioners were taken and a quan
tity of arms which bis men threw away in their
Sight."
SPEECH J. FAULKMFR.
A despatch frotn Frederick, dated Feb. 19,
atatei, that on Sunday night, a complimentary
dinner was extended to Hon. Cbas. J. Faulk
ner, Ex-Minister to France, at Martinsburg.--
That gentleman 'who, it will be remembered
was exchanged for Mr. Ely,) in a spech ou
that occasion said, in effu at, that the policy of
aeeesaion, as it had been carried out, had been
a failure. It bad been accompanied with un
necessary waste of life. The best blood of the
South aud an immense amount of property bad
been sacrificed. If this course was continued
it would pile ruin on ruin. The publio seotia
meet of Western Virginia was opposed to it.
Ho also intimated that be bad no affiliation
with those who wished the present war to coo
tioue. His remarks were acquiesced in by tbe
large audience present. And there is uo doubt
but that be refleetcd the true sentiment of
nine-tenths of the people in the upper counties
of the Potomae.
Report* from usually reliable resource# aay
that between 300 and 400 of tbe Berkley
eouuty militia have deserted in a body, and
•re en rout* to cross th Potomac and joiu our
ranks.