John E. Smith to William L. Wallace, February 17, 1862

TomrY-FIFTH Illinois INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, Fort Donelson, February 17, 1862,

SIR: In obedience to orders I took position with my command on the morning of the 15th instant on the left of the Twentieth Illinois Infantry and opposite to the left wing of the.enemy?s forces. My men were not brought into action until 1 o’elock p. m. of the same day, at which time I was ordered to the support of the Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, who were engaging the enemy about S00 yards from the position I then occupied. This order my regiment executed with promptness and steadiness. The advance was made up a slope of ground upon the summit of which the enemy were strongly intrenched and from which they poured forth a heavy and continued fire of musketry. Notwithstanding the severe ordeal to which my regiment was subjected in making this charge our line of battle remained unbroken, and the men marched bravely on until we reached a position in front of the Forty-ninth Illinois Regiment and within 50 yards of the enemy’s breastworks, where we halted and opened fire upon them at this point. Our engagement was sharp, and lasted about an hour. Finding that the rebels were in great force, and being unsupported (the Forty- ninth Illinois having retired), Ideemed it prudent to change my position to one in the ravine that skirted the hill, and wait for re-enforcements. In making this movement, the right wing retired first, under the protection of the left wing, the latter giving the enemy a murderous volley, that drove them back “behind their intrenchments. While waiting for re-enforcements I received an order to retire my regiment to the right of MeAllister’s battery. The retreat was made in good order, the rear of the battalion occasionally exchanging shots with the enemy. During that night and the day and night following the action of my regiment consisted in skirmishing by company with sharpshooters of the enemy.

On the morning of the 15th instant an attack was made by the enemy upon MeAllister’s battery. Iimmediately ordered my regiment forward, and with a charge drove the assailants back. This position we held for over two hours, keeping up a continual though irregular skirmish with the rebels. About 2 o’clock the same day I received your order to take

* Embodied in division return, p. 182.

T (o Car. XVIL] CAPTURE OF FORT DONELSON, TENN. 203 position on the right of the Forty-eighth Illinois, which order I obeyed, and did not again bring my regiment into action.

Below you ‘will find “reports of losses sustained by the regiment in the late engagement.* lt will be perceived that the mortality of the regiment was slight, which is attributed to the fact that my men never fell into confusion.

ri In closing this report I cannot too highly commend the bravery of

both the officers and men under my command. No body of soldiers

were ever subjected to a more dangerous and exposed position than the one occupied by my regiment on the 13th instant; yet they did not flinch, but, on the contrary, maintained their ground with the most perfect self- possession and determined bravery. They fought well, did

much execution, and brought credit upon themselves.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,