From the United States.
official report of the battle at Fort Donelson--General summary of Northern news.From our Northern files of the 24th inst. we collate the following:
Gen. Grant's official report.
Headquarters Army in the Field, Fort Donelson, Feb. 16, 1862.
Gen. G. W. Cullom, Chief of Staff, Department of Missouri:
General — I am pleased to announce to you the unconditional surrender, this morning, of Fort Donelson, with twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners, at least forty pieces of artillery, and a large amount of stores, horses, mules, and other public property.
I left Fort Henry on the 12th inst. with a force of about 15,000 men. divided into two divisions, under the command of Generals McClernand and Smith. Six regiments were sent around by water the day before, convoyed by a gunboat, or, rather started one day later than one of the gunboats, and with instructions not to pass it.
The troops made the march in good order, the head of the column arriving within two miles of the fort at twelve o'clock M. At this point the enemy's pickets were met and driven in.
The fortifications of the enemy were from this point gradually approached and surrounded, with occasional skirmishing on the line.
The following day, owing to the non-arrival of the gunboats and reinforcements sent by water, no attack was made; but the investment was extended on the flanks of the enemy, and drawn closer to his works, with skirmishing all day. The evening of the 13th the gunboats and reinforcements arrived.
On the 14th a gallant attest was made by Flag-Officer Foote upon the enemy's works with his fleet.
The engagement lasted probably one hour and a half and bid fair to result favorably to the cause of the Union, when two unlucky shots disabled two of the armored gunboats, so that they were carried back by the current.
The remaining two were very much disabled also, having received a number of heavy shots about the pilot house and other parts of the vessels.
After these mishaps, I concluded to make the investment of Fort Donelson as perfect as possible, and partially fortify and await repairs to gunboat.
This plan was frustrated, however, by the enemy making a most vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded by General J. A. McClernand, with a portion of the force under General L. Wallace.
The enemy were repelled after a closely contested battle of several hours, in which our loss was heavy.
The offices, and particularly field officers, suffered out of proportion.
I have not means yet of determining our loss even approximately, but it cannot fall short of 1,200 killed, wounded and missing. Of the latter, I understand, through Gen. Buckner, about two hundred and fifty were taken prisoners.
I shall retain enough of the enemy to exchange for them, as they were immediately shipped off and not left for recapture.
About the close of the action the ammunition in the carriage boxes gave out, which, with the loss of many of the field officers, produced great confusion in the ranks.
Seeing that the enemy did not take advantage of this fact, I ordered a charge upon the left — enemy's right — with the division under Gen. C. F. Smith, which was most brilliantly executed, and gave to our arms full assurance of victory.
The battle lasted until dark, giving us possession of part of their entrenchments.
An attack was ordered upon their other flank after the charge by Gen. Smith was commenced, by the divisions under Geas McClernand and Wallace, which, notwithstanding the hours of exposure to a heavy fire in the fore part of the day, was gallantly made and the enemy further repulsed.
At the points thus gained, night having come on, all the troops encamped for the night, feeling that a complete victory would crown their labors at an early hour in the morning.
This morning, at a very early hour, Gen. S. B. Buckner sent a message to our camp under a flag of truce, proposing an armistice, &c. A copy of the correspondence which ensued is herewith accompanied.
I cannot mention individuals who specially distinguished themselves, but leave that to division and brigade officers, whose reports will be forwarded as soon as received.
To division commanders, however Generals McClernand, Smith, and Wallace.
I must do the justice to say that each of them were with their commands in the midst of danger, and were always ready to execute all orders, no matter what the exposure to themselves.
At the hour the attack was made on Gen. McClernand's command I was absent, having received a note from Flag-Officer Foote, requesting me to go and see him, he being unable to call.
My personal staff--Col. T. B. Webster, Chief of Staff; Col. J. Riggin, Jr., Volunteer Aid; Capt. S. A. Rawling, Acting Adjutant General; Capts. C. B. Lagow and W. S. Hillver, Aids, and Lieutenant Col. V. B. McPherson, Chief Engineer--all are deserving of personal mention for their gallantry and services.
For full details and reports, and particulars, reference is made to the reports of the engineer, medical director, and commanders of brigades and divisions, to follow.
