The attack on Fort Donelson.
the enemy driven back with great slaughter.
gunboats injured.
Gen'l Johnston Changes front.
Bowling Green evacuated by the Confederate troops.
Hindman Falls back.
200 Federals and four pieces of Artillery captured.
&c., &c., &c.,
Nasrvills, Feb. 14
--Night.--The enemy's gunboats opened fire on Fort Donelson at half-past 3 o'clock this afternoon.
There are only ten feet of water on Harpeth Shoala.
The river is falling rapidly, and our pilots say that the Federal gunboats will not be able to pass over to-morrow.
The special dispatch from Fort Donelson to the Nashville Union and American says that Fort Donelson was attacked by six gunboats this afternoon.
A terrible fight for nearly two hours. Not a man or gun on our side was hurt.
Two Federal gunboats were badly injured; a third was crippled, and all retired.
No demonstrations were made by the infantry and land forces to-day.
The enemy, it is believed, has received reinforcements.
We expect a severe battle to-morrow.
[special to the Dispatch.]
Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 15, 1862.
--An attack was made upon Fort Donelson this morning by the enemy in force.
The Federals were driven past their camp with great slaughter.
We have captured three of their batteries.--The fight is still going on. M. W.
Additional.
Nashville, Feb. 15
--11½ o'clock A. M.--Dispatches have just been received here from Fort Donelson.
The fight commenced at seven o'clock this morning, and it raged terribly all the forenoon untill 11 ½ A. M. There has been great slaughter on both sides.
The enemy has been driven back past his camps.
We have captured three hundred prisoners and two of his batteries.
The prisoners taken say that General McClernand is commanding and has a force of 50,000.
Our troops are stil driving the enemy back with cold steel.
Memphis, Feb. 15.--McLean's cavalry fought the Lincolnites in Scott county on yesterday, killing seven and capturing seventeen, with many horses and guns.
The Lincolnites fled in disorder to the mountains.
The forces engaged were about equal.
Three Confederates were wounded.
The Federal loss at Fort Donelson on Thursday was 500, while our loss was only 25. Gen. Pillow commanded at the Fort, and Gens. Floyd and Buckner the land forces.
The contest was equal to the most terrific of the war.
[third Dispatch.]
Nashville, Feb. 15.
--The Federals having changed their tacties, and sent off nearly their whole force from the other side of Green river, it became necessary for Gen. Johnston to change his front.
On Thursday evening Bowling Green was evacuated by the larger portion of the Confederate forces, who fell back in the direction of the enemy.
Gen. Hindmand's brigade remained in a position a few miles on the other side of Bowling Green.
It is reported that Gen. Hindman had a sharp engagement on yesterday morning with the Federals, who are advancing their forces.
Hindman fell back in good order and, after cressing Barren river, destroyed the railroad bridges and burned the turnpike bridge.
Between ten and eleven o'clock the Federals shelled Bowling Green, setting the town on fire, and the conflagration destroyed nearly the entire town.
A dispatch, dated at Fort Donelson, February 15, at 10½ o'clock, says one of the flercest fights recorded commenced this morning about 10 o'clock. On our left wing we have driven the enemy past their camps with great slaughter.
The fight is still raging with great fury on both sides.
A prisoner belonging to the 30th Illinois regiment, says that the Federal forces number 50,000, and are commanded by Gen. McClernand.
Our boys are fighting with great gallantry, and driving the enemy as they go.
Eleven A. M.--We have captured three of the enemy's batteries and repulsed them everywhere.
The loss is reputed to be heavy on both sides, but the Yankee loss is much the greatest.
The troops from Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and elsewhere, are fighting most gallantly.
Twelve and a half o'clock.--We think we can safely say that the enemy's loss is tremendous.
About two hundred Yankee prisoners have just been brought in, and they report that a number of their regiments are nearly annihilated.
One and a half o'clock P. M.--We fought the enemy outside of our entrenchments from 5,50 this morning until one o'clock this afternoon, driving him inch by inch on every point in the field, capturing four pieces of artillery, and a large number of prisoners.--Our loss is heavy, but we have inflicted a much heavier loss on the enemy.
The Federals have been largely reinforced, and they may attack us again. 