Doc. 46.-capture of Fort Donelson.
Commodore Foote's report.
U. S. Flag-ship St. Louis, near Fort Donelson, via Paducah, February 15, 1862.
To the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:
I made an attack on Fort Donelson yesterday, at three o'clock P. M., with four iron-clad gunboats and two wooden ones, and after one hour and a quarter severe fighting, the latter part of the day within less than four hundred yards of the Fort, the wheel of this vessel and the tiller of the Louisville were shot away, rendering the two boats unmanageable.
They then drifted down the river.
The two remaining boats were also greatly damaged between wind and water.
This vessel alone received fifty-nine shots, and the others about half that number each.
There were fifty-four killed and wounded in this attack, which we have reason to suppose would, in fifteen minutes more, could the action have been continued, have resulted in the capture of the Fort bearing upon us, as the enemy was running from his batteries when the two gunboats helplessly drifted down the river from disabled steering apparatus, as the relieving tackles could not steer the vessels in the strong current.
The fleeing enemy returned to the river battery guns, from which they had been driven, and again hotly poured fire upon us. The enemy must have brought over twenty guns to bear upon our gunboats from the water battery and the main fort on the hill, while we could only return the fire with twelve boat-guns from the four boats.
One rifled-gun aboard the Carondelet burst during the action.
The officers and men in this hotly contested but unequal fight, behaved with the greatest gallantry and determination, all deploring the accident which rendered two of our gunboats helpless in the narrow river and swift current.
On consultation with General Grant and my own officers — as my services here, until we can repair damages by bringing up a competent force from Cairo to attack the Fort, are much less required than they are at Cairo — I shall proceed to that place.
I have sent the Tyler to the Tennessee River to render the railroad bridge impassable. To the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:
A. H. Foote, Flag-Officer Commanding Naval Force Western Division.
Official despatch from Commodore Foote.
The Carondelet has just arrived from Fort Donelson, and, brings information of the capture of that Fort by the land forces yesterday morning, with fifteen thousand prisoners. Johnston and Buckner are taken prisoners.
Loss heavy on both sides.
Floyd escaped with five thousand men during the night.
I go up with the gunboats, and as soon as possible will proceed up to Clarksville.
Eight mortar-boats are on their way, with which I hope to attack that place.
My foot is painful, but not dangerous.
The army has behaved gloriously.
I shall be able to take but two iron-clad gunboats with me, as the others are disabled.
The trophies of war are immense, and the particulars will soon be given.
A. H. Foote, Flag-Officer.
General Grant's report.
Headquarters army in the field, Fort Donelson, February 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 twelfth inst., with a force of about fifteen thousand 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, 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 reenforcements 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 thirteenth, the gunboats and reenforcements arrived.
On the fourteenth a gallant attack 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 the gunboats.
This plan was frustrated, however, by the enemy making a most vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded by Gen. J. A. McClernand, with a portion of the force under Gen. L. Wallace.
The enemy were repelled after a closely contested battle of several hours, in which our loss was heavy.
The officers, and particularly field officers, suffered out of proportion.
I have not the means yet of determining our loss even approximately, but it cannot fall far short of one thousand two hundred 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
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to exchange for them, as they were immediately shipped off and not left for recapture.
About the close of this action the ammunition in the cartridge-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 intrenchments.
An attack was ordered upon their other flank, after the charge by Gen. Smith was commenced, by the divisions under Gen. 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, etc. 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 General 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. J. D. Webster, Chief of Staff; Col. J. Riggin, Jr., volunteer Aid; Capt. J. A. Rawlins, A. A. General; Captains C. B. Lagow and W. S. Hillyer, Aids, and Lieut.-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.
I am, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, Gen. G. W. Cullom, Chief of Staff Department of Missouri:
U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General.
Correspondence.
Gen. Buckner to Gen. Grant.
headquarters Fort Donelson, February 16, 1862.
sir: In consideration of all the circumstances governing the present situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the commanding officer of the Federal forces, the appointment of Commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and post under my command, and in that view suggest an armistice until twelve o'clock to-day.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. Buckner, Brigadier-General C. S.A.
Letter of instruction to bearer of Des patches.
headquarters Fort Donelson, February 16, 1862.
Major Cashy will take or send by an officer to the nearest picket of the enemy, the accompanying communication to Gen. Grant, and request information of the point where future communication will reach him; also inform him that my headquarters will be, for the present, in Dover.
[Signed] S. B. Buckner, Brigadier-General.
Have the white flag hoisted on 