General Smith to During the next day I engaged with one section a battery of the, February 18, 1862

Fort Donelson, February 18, 1862.

SIR:

In obedience to Special Orders, No. 2, headquarters Second Division, army in the field, Brigadier-General Smith commanding, I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the recent piajn on Fort Donelson, Tenn. :

On Wednesday, the 12th instant, the unn being a part of Col. J. Cook’s (Third) brigade, Second Division, marched from Fort Henry to the neighborhood of Fort Donelson, formed line of battle to the left of the Dover road, and slept on their arms ready for action.

Thursday morning, at 8.30 o’clock, we marched down to and up the Dover road about half a mile, when we filed to the left and formed line of battle; threw forward the flanking cempanies as skirmishers, and marched forward down a long slope that lay in front, the grape shot and shell of the enemy flying thick around us all the time. Our skirmishers advanced to the top of the hill that lay in front of us. The battalion halted at two-thirds of the distance to the top of the hill, where it was protected from the enemy’s fire by the ridge in front. Tt was but a few minutes after our skirmishers reached the top of the ridge in front when Private Edward C. Buckner, of Company A, was shot dead, a ball taking effect in the eye. No further damage occurred to the regiment that day, though the enemy kept up a constant fire.

The following night was very stormy, and, as we were ordered not to make fires, the men suffered from the wet and cold.

Early on Friday morning skirmishing began between our men and the enemy, which was kept up all day. During the day two of our men were struck with spent balls, but these did not disable them.

At night-fall eight companies retired and built fires, but passed an unpleasant night. Companies D and F remained as a guard over the gr ound we had occupied during the day.

Saturday until noon a random fire was kept up with the enemy. During this and the preceding days we were nobly supported by the coolness, bravery, and efficiency of a portion of Birge’s sharpshooters, who co-operated with us. Our right flank was protected by the Fiftieth Illinois, Colonel Bane commanding. Our front and left flanks were unsupported, except by our own skirmishers and the sharpshooters.

At about 2 p. m. Saturday, 15th, the Twelfth Iowa, Fiftieth Illinois, and sharpshooters were ordered to make a feint attack to draw the enemy’s fire. The men went cheerfully to the work assigned them, and kept up a warm fire on the enemy, while Colonel Lauman’s brigade, on our left, advanced on the enemy and got possession of a part of the enemy’s outworks and hoisted the American flag thereon. We were then ordered to their support. We moved rapidly by the left flank and charged over the down timber which the enemy had cut for his protection. At this time a galling fire of grape from the enemy poured in among us, wounding 8 or 10 of our men. £

On reaching the breastworks some confusion was caused by the retreat of a portion of Colonel Lauman’s brigade, who, having expended all their ammunition, were compelled to fall back. By some exertion our men were rallied, and we opened a warm fire on the enemy, who also poured a warm fire of grape upon us from their battery on our right

and of musketry on our front. In this eross-fire we fought the enemy two hours, advancing on them into a ravine inside their breastworks. At length we were withdrawn outside of the works. During this time we lost 1 man killed and 27 wounded.

During all this time Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter behaved with the utmost coolness and bravery, performing his duties regardless of the danger to which he was exposed. Major Brodtbeck and Sergeant-Major Morrisy aided much in rallying the men.

When we began to march to support Colonel Lauman, Companies A and G were out skirmishing. I dispatched Adjutant Dunean to bring

them up, which was speedily done, and he performed all other duties

required of him promptly and effectively.

Surgeon Parker was on duty at the hospital. Assistant Surgeon Finley performed faithful service in attending the wounded.

Lieut. J. B. Dorr, quartermaster, was performing his duty in forwarding supplies. His energy and effieiency cannot be too highly praised.

The color-bearer, Sergeant Grannis, showed much coolness amid the sharp fire of the enemy, and, without particularizing, every commissioned officer of the regiment performed his duties without flinching. The same may be said of the non-commissioned officers and privates, with but few exceptions.

Respectfully, J. J. WOODS, Colonel Twelfth Iowa Volunteers. Capt. THomAs J. NEWSHAM, Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 26. Report of Col. Crafts J. Wright, Thirteenth Missouri Infantry.

Fort DONELSON, TENN., February 17, 1862.

SrR: I herewith report to you, under Order No. 2, the operations of this regiment against the enemy and the casualties which have resulted:

On Friday evening we were ordered to retain our position behind the sharpshooters as skirmishers, and which we had occupied during the day. We remained in this position without fires during the storm of rain, hail, and snew. The clothes of the men were drenched and frozen upon them. I sat upon a log wrapped in my blanket until 3 o’clock, when permission was given to go back half a mile and build fires to dry the men. Saturday, notwithstanding the severe duty and

exposure of the previous day, we resumed our position at 8 o’elock a. m. _

We were ordered by General Smith to change position to prevent the enemy from advancing by one of the roads, and also to sustain a battery of several pieces planted for the same purpose. To be better prepared, our men threw off their knapsacks and blankets at the suggestion of General Grant. We thus prevented any advance in that quarter.

Late in the afternoon we were again changed and ordered to the trenches, through which the entrance was finally made. We were allowed, just as we reached our place, to withdraw and bivouac near by

for the night. On Sunday morning we were ordered to the advance in — the trenches. I was prepared to leave upon the ground whatever number was necessary to plant the Stars and Stripes ef our country on the

intrenched position of the enemy, and all of my men stood to their places. I am happy to say no sacrifice was necessary, but that shortly after being in position I was enabled to send forward the color company (C) with the Stars and Stripes, and that thus your brigade were enabled to announce to our friends beyond and about that Fort Donelson had surrendered and the engagement ended. I can say all did their duty.

Respectfully, , CRAFTS J. WRIGHT, Colonel Thirteenth Missouri Volunteers. Col. JOHN Cook, Commanding Third Brigade, Second Division.

Report of Capt. Henry Richardson, Battery D, First Missouri Light Artillery.

CAMP NEAR FORT DONELSON, February 18, 1862.

Sm : I have the honor to submit the following report :

On the morning of Thursday, February 13, I placed my battery in position faeing an outwork of the enemy, distant about 1,400 yards, and subsequently,

by order of General Smith, moved about 500 yards to the

right.

During the next day I engaged with one section a battery of the

enemy, and being very warmly replied to, was obliged to cease firing

after expending about 50 rounds.

During the night I sent my second section to occupy the point of the

ridge upon which I was, distant about 400 yards to the right, and had

a slight breastwork thrown up. `

During the next day (Saturday) both sections tried to engage the