USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 6
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Here is given an account of how Fort Donelson fell, from the gifted pen of Captain MeGillieuddy, written from the battle field to the Hannibal, Mo., Messenger.
FORT DONELSON, Feb. 18, '62.
DEAR MESSENGER :- Another victory has crowned our ef- forts, and the flag of our country floats from the flag staff in Fort Donelson. According to the promise I made you in my last letter, I now write to you from this onee rebel fort.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, our brigade, (which consists of the Illinois 7th, Missouri 18th, two batteries of artillery, the Illinois 50th, Iowa 12th and 14th, and the Illinois 52d), took up their line of march from Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river, for Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland river, a distance of 12 miles. They camped all night within two miles of the fort.
On Thursday morning we were ordered to the position assigned us in double quick time, which was done in a masterly manner under a heavy fire from the enemy.
Our position was the center of the second division, Col. Cook commanding the brigade, Gen. Smith of Paducah, com- manding the division. The first division ( of which I know but very little), was commanded by Gen. MeClernand.
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The lines of our army extended from north to south on the river, completely surrounding the fort, including the small town of Dover. We held our position from Thursday at 9 A. M. until Saturday at 12 M., through all kinds of weather, rain, snow and frost without fire, living on hard crackers and raw meat. During all this time the rebels had made several inef- fectual attempts to break our lines.
On Saturday at 12 M., we discovered in the movements of the enemy that they intended to force a break on the left wing of our division. Our skirmishers were called in and a general charge of the left wing was ordered. The Iowa 2d lead the charge, supported by the Iowa 7th and 14th, the Indiana 25th and 52d, and the Illinois 50th and 7th. We advanced in double quick time under heavy fire of shot, shell, cannister and grape. We did not discharge a gun until we came to the breast works; then our boys let loose, and the manner in which secession "stock fell" would surprise all creation.
After the first volley, we scaled the breast works, carry- ing with us the stars and stripes. After getting inside, they contested every inch of ground. We gained on them till they were forced over another cross entrenchment.
During the contest our two batteries were brought inside the entrenchments, to our support. We then sileneed the bat- teries that were playing upen us. Then both sides paused. 1 looked around, saw the flag I loved so well, and was fighting for waving over the enemy's ramparts; heard the band playing "Hail Columbia," and, believe me, I never, in my life, appreci- ated fully that piece of music till that particular occasion. I reflected on the trial of the past four days, and that we had been giving them "Hail Columbia" all that time, and now we were giving it to them again in sweet strains of music.
Saturday night our brigade and another, slept on their arms, inside the fortifications, and made all due preparations for to-morrow. Next morning we sounded them again and at 10 A. M., much to our surprise, they struck their colors and made an unconditional surrender. The rejoicing among our troops can better be imagined than described.
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We then marched into the main fort with every flag fly- ing and band playing. The first rebel brigade we passed was Gen. Buckner's, which has been such a pest in Kentucky.
We found, on entering the fort that some had made their escape by crossing the river. The traitor to both sides, Floyd leaving his men in the lurch. They swear eternal vengeance on him when they get out of the box they are now in.
Gen Pillow also escaped with a portion of his command. Buckner, Johnson and Baldwin, and 10,000 other rebels were taken prisoners. We also captured 84 cannon, among which is one rifled cannon ; one 124 pounder; one 10 inch Columbian and one 128 pounder, together with about 35,000 stand of small arms.
The amount of property captured here in the shape of commissary stores, ammunition, tents, wagons, stock, &c., it is impossible for me to make an estimate of. We and the public will have to wait for the official reports of our respective com- manders. The same will apply to the loss on our side, The killed and wounded on our side, I think will not fall short of 2,000 men.
We had a large force here; not less than 60,000 men, but not more than half were engaged. It took me the most of two days to ride on horse back over the battle-field, the most of which was in the woods, and from my observations, I should judge that the rebel loss must have been two to our one.
A battle-field is an awful sight; I know I could have passed over acres of land by stepping from one dead man to another. The rebels have been busy burying their dead ever since the battle, and still you can see more of them laying in the woods. Our boys, killed, are all under the sod.
The gun boats did their duty in this engagement, but are not entitled to the credit of taking the fort. Birge's sharp shooters also did excellent work and are deserving of a post of honor.
Yesterday 2,000 rebels arrived here to reinforce their forts, when naturally enough, Uncle Sam's boys took them
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prisoners. A pretty good joke on these men for not being posted.
I close by saying you shall hear from me again at Nash- ville, Tenn.
Yours truly, T. D. MCGILLICUDDY, Co. K, 50th Ill. Infantry.
The story of the battles, as well as capture of Fts. Henry and Donelson, is thus graphically told in his official report, by the gallant Col. John Cook, 7th Illinois commanding brigade :
HEADQUARTERS 3D BRIGADE, 2D DIVISION, CLARKSVILLE, TENN., March 6th, 1862.
GENERAL: In pursuance of orders from division head- quarters I have the honor to submit the following report :
Monday, the 3d day of February, the Seventh Infantry Illinois Volunteers, under my command, embarked at Fort Holt, Ky., on board the steamer City of Memphis, under orders to join an expedition against Fort Henry, Tenn. Landing at Paducah, I reported to you, from whom orders were received assigning to the Third Brigade the following regiments, viz : Seventh Illinois, Seventh Iowa, Twelfth Iowa, Thirteenth Mis- souri, and Fiftieth Illinois Volunteers, with Captain Richard- son's battery (20-pounder rifle guns) of First Missouri Light Artillery. In company with other troops, the command arriv- ed at Camp Halleck by river, 4 miles below Fort Henry, on the afternoon of the 4th instant, when it was disembarked, under orders from Brigadier General Grant, commanding the District of Cairo, to proceed by land, without transportation, under temporary command of General McClernand. The 5th instant remained at Camp Halleck. On the morning of the 6th left Camp Halleck by land for Fort Henry. A severe rain storm the night previous to our departure, together with the swollen state of the streams from continued rains and the absence of transportation, rendered the march extremely difficult, the troops suffering intensely from fording the numerous creeks. often wading so deep as to submerge their cartridge-boxes. But,
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inspired by the frequent reports of artillery from the gunboats, the men pressed on cheerfully. Impeded by the almost impass- chle roads and the necessity of assisting Captain Richardson's battery out of the innumerable mud-holes, the command pro- coded slowly. About 2 p. m. received orders from General Grant to advance the infantry without regard to the artillery. Having gone a short distance, the guide led us off the road about a mile, which had to be countermarched. Surmounting wory obstacle, the infantry reached the outworks of Ft. Henry - woon after retreat, where they encamped on the damp ground much wearied, many without a single blanket, all transporta- tion having been left in the morning, and some of the regiments lesving even their knapsacks. Captain Richardson's battery was left midway between Camp Halleck and Fort Henry, being unable to proceed on account of impracticability of the roads. The 7th instant quartered the infantry in Fort Henry, partly in tents and partly in barracks formerly occupied by the rebels.
The 8th instant four companies of infantry were sent by transports to Camp Halleck, with orders to bring up our bag- gas- left there, and also Captain Richardson's battery, which they accomplished, returning the following day. On the Sth the 18th Missouri Volunteers, Col. C. J. Wright, which had been signed to the Third Brigade, arrived from Smithland, The loth instant, having with much trouble and labor made bridges over the slough formed by backwater from the Tennessee river, the command camped one mile from the river, immediately in- aile the outer fortifications, where we remained until the morn- ing of the 12th.
On the 11th instant the 7th Iowa Volunteers was trans- forred from the brigade and the 52nd Indiana added, Major Cav- ender's entire battalion of 1st Missouri Light Artillery having Inno in the meantime temporarily assigned to the brigade. Leaving Fort Henry at S o'clock a. m. the 12th instant, the command arrived within a mile and a half of Fort Donelson at 3 o'clock p. m., the road being excellent and all transportation being left at Fort Henry. Distance marched, 12 miles. The ps.tion assigned to the brigade under my command was well
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chosen, being a high ridge of nearly one mile in length, and al- most everlooking the enemy's works on his right. In fine spir- its, with full assurance of success, the troops passed the night, prepared for an attack should a sally be made from the fort. The 13th, the men's haversacks being well filled, a hearty break- fast was eaten' at an early hour, and under orders, at S a. m. I moved the command up the Dover road to a point within one- half mile of the enemy's outer works; deployed in line the 7th Illinois on the right and 52d Indiana on the left as skirmishers. The command moved steadily forward through the dense tim- ber, crossing the deep ravine without resistance until the 7th Ill., Lieut. Colonel Babcock commanding, found itself within short range of a battery till then undiscovered, which immediately upon appearance of our colors opened a destructive fire, killing instantly Capt. N. E. Mendell, company I, and wounding several others. Owing to the density of the timber our artillery was not yet in position. The regiment retired beyond range and to the support of Capt. Richardson's battery, just going into posi- tion. With the remaining four regiments I proceeded to the summit of a ridge overlooking the fort, a distance of nearly 600 yards intervening, the immensity of the abatis covering the whole, precluding the possibility of proceeding farther but by an unwarranted loss of life, the enemy in force being secure, concealed in his rifle pits and behind his palisades, from which continuous firing was kept up during the remaining portion of the day, answered by sharpshooters and skirmishers from our side, each sustaining slight loss. This position gained, it was held during the night, the men resting on their arms, without fires and without blankets, everything but arms and ammuni- tion having been cast aside on approaching the fort.
On the 14th, after a long and weary night of watching, * the troops under my command arose at an early hour, shook the thick covering of snow from their overcoats, partook of a meager breakfast, and cheerfully resumed their old posi- tion under the intrenchments. Though suffering from the snow and rain of the previous night, they returned during the whole of the day the enemy's fire, doing him no little damage.
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Saturday, the 15th, after another night of snow and se- vere cold, the troops suffering intensely, but without murmurs, four regiments of my command returned to their original posi- tion, *
* they having been permitted to fall back by com- panies out of range of the enemy's guns to cook their breakfast and thaw their frozen clothes. At 9 a. m., in pursuance of or- ders from division headquarters, the 13th Missouri Volunteers was sent to the right to support a battery, * * and the 52d Indiana, Colonel Smith, was ordered to the extreme left to repel "any sally the enemy might make from that quarter, a gap in his breastworks having been left for egress, leaving only the 12th Iowa and the Fiftieth Illinois, with a battalion of Birge's sharpshooters, to engage the enemy along a line of half a mile in extent. At 2 p. m. orders came from General Smith to in- crease the number of skirmishers from my command and more completely engage the enemy's attention, while be in person, with Colonel Lauman's brigade and the 52d Indiana, stormed the entrance previously mentioned.
The fortifications having been gained by Gen. Smith and the enemy's infantry driven back, I sent to Gen'l Grant, asking permission to move my brigade up to the support of Col. Lau- man, and, if possible, take the enemy's batteries, which were pouring in upon him a murderous fire of grape, canister and shell. While awaiting the return of the messenger information was received that the Stars and Stripes were flying over the main battery of the enemy, when orders were immediately given to cease firing, which having been complied with and the com- panies thrown out as skirmishers ordered to rejoin their com- mands, I ascertained the Stars and Stripes were raised by the rebels that we might be drawn within their reach. The mes- senger having returned, I abandoned the position, and with all the speed possible proceeded over the abatis, under a heavy fire of grape and canister. The distance being short, the discharges caused but little damage, overshooting us just enough to tear into shreds the colors of the 7th Illinois, which regiment had been ordered by Gen. Grant to rejoin me. * * By direction of Gon. Smith we were instructed to hold the position obtained'
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during the night and immediately prepare for a combined as- sault the following morning, with the simple command from Gen. Smith, "Take it, sir!" During the night the men rested -on their arms, and for the first time built fires, which enabled them to rest more comfortably.
Aroused at an early hour Sunday, the 16th, we partook of a scanty breakfast. Called to your headquarters, I was di- rected to order two regiments to the relief of Col. Lauman, two additional regiments to their support a little retired, holding one regiment in reserve. The 7th regiment having expended more ammunition the day previous than any of the others, * * was selected as the reserve. About the time of the arrival of the ammunition, whilst the men were filling their boxes, the woods were made to ring with loud and enthusiastic cheers from the troops under command of Col. Lauman and myself, an- nouncing the unconditional surrender of Fort Donelson. * *
In accordance with your order to allude to and particu- larize those deserving of commendation, it affords me much pleasure to mention the following officers, viz: Col. Bane and Adjutant Brown of the Fiftieth Ills .; Col. Smith and staff, of the 52d Indiana; Col. Woods and Maj. Brodtbeck, 12th Iowa, and Lieut. Col. Babcock and Maj. Rowett, Capt. Monroe, Co. B, Capt. Ward, Co. A; Capt. Lawyer. Co. C, and Lieut. Johnson, commanding Co. I, (Capt. Mendell having been killed in the first engagement), of the 7th Illinois, and the following gentle- men of the medical staff, viz: Dr. R. L. Metcalf, surgeon, and James' Hamilton, ass't surgeon, 7th Illinois; Dr. Finley, ass't surgeon 12th Iowa; Dr. Brown, ass't surgeon 13th Missouri, who were constantly'upon the field, regardless of danger and fatigue. Too high praise and commendation cannot be bestowed upon the medical staff of my command. * *
Truth and justice require me to say that the entire com- mand behaved in a manner deserving of approbation, cheerfully enduring the fatigue and exposure attendant upon the most in- clement weather known in this locality.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN COOK,
Colonel. Commanding Third Brigade, Second Division.
Brig. Gen. C. F. SMITH,
Comd'y Second Dir., Dist. West Tenn., U. S. Army.
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In closing the account of this battle we must necessarily omit many items of interest that are remembered by the par- ricipants therein. All of the Fiftieth and many of Birge's sharpshooters have occasion to remember Old Red Shirt, whose death is refered to on page 67, and whose taking off we will, in a manner, describe: His situation was behind a large stump in our front, and just outside the rebel works. He was a re- markably good shot, and demonstrated his ability in that line immediately on our appearance on the front the 13th. Com- - pany B was sent out on the skirmish line and soon discovered him. Skirmish fighting was a new thing to us then, and very many of us would beg permission of the officers to go to the front, if only for a few moments, as we all wanted to get a view of Fort Donelson and the rebels, thus we got a glimpse of Red Shirt. Every now and then a bit of red would protrude from behind the stump and a shot would go for it from some one of our skirmishers, who thus exposing himself would get a shot fired at him from the other side of the stump. Quite a number of the boys got off with narrow escapes, among them Col. Swar- thout, Chaplain Bigger, Captains Gaines, Hanna and many others. All anxious to get a shot at him.
On the 14th the line was re-inforced by a battalion of Birge's sharpshooters, armed with long range rifles, some with telescope sights. This was quite a help to us, as they kept the enemy more secure behind their works. Dr. W. D. Turner of Co. E, writes thus :
"Yes I remember Red Shirt. I was a volunteer sharp- shooter that morning, Feb. 14th. We secreted ourselves in the top of a fallen white oak. The sharpshooters cautioned me of Old Red's unerring aim, and had hardly done so when Old Red discovered us and fired, the ball passing between our heads. We both fired without effect. He quickly replied, shooting a man through the shoulder at our right. Become more daring until the fatal bullet found its mark, and he sprang up and fell out- side. Quite a heavy fire followed his fall, and by the protect- ing fire of the sharpshooters his gun was secured, and was a surprise to us; it was a very short rifle known as the "Missis-
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sippi Yager;" it shot with terriffic force and the bullets made a peculiar sound."
Fred. Mensendike of Co. F, thus relates his experience : "I was on the skirmish line behind an old log, somewhat decay- ed; making an indenture in the log to rest my gun, I looked and saw Red Shirt aim and fire, and a soldier to my right fell dead, creating in me a feeling better imagined than described. I was determined to shoot Old Red, if I could, and in a short time he appeared, and I, with many others, fired, saw him throw up his arms and fall back. His fall was followed by a volly of bullets from the breastworks that filled the old log behind which I lay."
"Lieut. J. C. Rodgers of company D, of Ft. Scott, Kas.," writes Adjutant Brown, "went to the top of the ridge and think- ing it not healthy there, returned, as did also Capt. Gaines; he borrowed a rifle from a sharpshooter to get a shot or two. I was sitting with my back against a small white oak, when a ball came over the ridge and cut a limb very close to my face. Soon after a sergeant of the sharpshooters was borne to the rear with a great hole under his left cheek bone, perhaps from the gun of Old Red Shirt. This gun was captured and I had the pleasure of examining it while in the possession of Lieut. Ed. P. Barrett of company G.
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CHAPTER VII.
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After Donelson -- The Departure for Clarksville on Steamer Iatan-Her Captain Receives a Schooling in Loyalty-Expedition to Nashville and Return- Successful Foraging-Capture of Cannon and Commissary Stores-Resig- nation of Adjutant Brown -- On the way to Shiloh-At Crump's Landing -Fruit from Home-Night before the Battle.
IT HAS rarely come to the lot of an army fresh in the field from ways of peace, and therefore wholly unused to the ways of war, to be participants and victors in as mighty and consequential a struggle as that which culminated at Fort Donelson. The captors and captives were of the same race and blood. Indeed kith and kin opposed each other. Many of the regiments upon either side had but lately entered the service and it may well be said that the impress of kiss from Mother, or hand-shake from Father still lingered with the loved one and slow to leave as though loth to part. It will therefore be readily understood how strange and exciting were the scenes, incidents and surroundings of Donelson. If all the letters sent to northern homes in the few days the victorious army of Gen. Grant lay at Donelson could be brought together, what a mag- niticent story would the thousands of pages unfold.
The four days spent by the Fiftieth. at Donelson were busy and interesting. Every phase of humanity was evidenced. The relie hunter, the poet, the historian were all on hand, "each
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to his part assigned," but the hour rapidly approached when new matters were to mark the details of army life, and when orders came to move all were prepared.
It was a beautiful, an awe inspiring sight, to see the reg- iments, batteries and cavalry squadrons, each "taking place in the swiftly forming ranks of war" ready for duty, no matter how arduous or dangerous, and quietly moving to the steamers whose impatient waiting was heralded by noises more forcible than elegant.
The stern wheeler Iatan was assigned to the Fiftieth and from Boiler Deck to Texas, all her ways were crowded. The commissary supplies were not extensive in character or kind, the bill of fare being made up of "slap jacks," bacon and coffee with plenty of sugar. The health of the regiment was none of the best; the water was poor, almost unfit to drink, and as a consequence with poor food, bad weather and plenty of danger and privation, it is not to be wondered at that many of the men were stricken down, unable to march or perform duty. On the way up the river Captain Gaines of company D, found two of his men, Richard Morris and C. F. Hubert, very sick, he ordered them carried to his state-room, and that all possible attention should be given them. In a short time the Captain of the boat discovered them and at once ordered them out de- claring in a very decided manner that he would not allow "a lousy soldier to sleep in his beds." Captain Gaines hearing the racket took a hand at it and in a very positive manner gave the captain of the boat to know that there was no bed on the boat too clean or too good for one of company D, and closed the interview by ordering the captain to his post on the boat, after which all was well. The master of the boat had learned his place and ever after kept it.
On the 23rd of February the Fiftieth landed at Clarks- ville and quartered in a tobacco warehouse which was surroun- ded by a stockade of cedar posts. Here the regiment remained until the 26th, when it was ordered down to the river and on board the John Raines steamed up the river to Nashville as part of a reserve to Gen. Buell, where it arrived on the evening
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of the 27th, remaining on the steamer, returned to Clarksville March 1st, and took quarters in the private residences of the town. Here matters settled down into the regular routine of camp and garrison life. Details were made for provost duty, picket and scouting parties sent out, and all this coupled with company and regimental drill, went to make up a busy round.
In looking around some of the boys discovered, in an old warehouse cellar, a large amount of half cured port, consisting of hams. shoulders and sides, all of which was put where it would do the most good. A party of company E found a small cannon made out of a steam shaft, under a straw stack. It was christened "Old Abe," and by some means turned up after the war at Camp Point, Illinois, where it has since been made to do loyal duty on fourth of July and like occasions.
The condition of the regiment, as to health, was at the lowest degree. The exposure incurred at Forts Henry and Don- elson made such inroads that at one time there was scarcely a man fit for duty. Under the careful watching and treatment of the surgeons, a change for the better rapidly grew into being and the regiment once more resumed its original standing.
It was a matter of daily occurrence for arms and muni- tions of war to be unearthed and brought to light. One even- ing Col. Bane was waited upon by a contraband, owned by the Mayor of Clarksville, who gave him information that led to the capture of five barrels of molasses marked "C. S.", also two pieces of artillery and their carriages, which had been thrown into the river. Through the information obtained from this slave, two more cannon were found in a brush pile and six in the foundry which until lately had been in operation. Although this colored man had done all this for his country, yet he was forbidden protection from his master through the order of Gen- eral Halleck. The day came, however, when such orders did not prevail.
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