JOHN McARTHUR to M. Brayman, February 18, 1862

Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 18, 1862.

SIR:

In pursuance to your order I submit S following repe I cannot tell the exact number of killed and wounded each day, and will give the total result.*

On the afternoon of the 13th this regiment, together with the Fortyninth Illinois and Forty-eighth Illinois, under command of Colonel Haynie, were ordered to move forward from the road up to the rebel breastworks. The ground was difficult to get over, being composed of thick underbrush, and getting within short distance of the enemy’s intrenchments, the way was obstructed with fallen timber. At this juncture the enemy opened a cross-fire upon us with artillery and infantry, which was returned with great spirit by the men under my command. After an engagement of about thirty minutes, resulting in severe loss in my regiment, the order was given to fire in retreat. After falling back out of range of the enemy’s fire I withdrew my command: to the road. My regiment was in line of battle nearly all night, suffering from cold and hunger, yet no one complained, and all were even cheerful.

On the 14th my regiment formed part of the support to Taylor’s and Schwartz’s batteries, and remained all day in the same position. About 3 o’clock in the evening the enemy opened his batteries on us with shell, but were replied to by the batteries on our front before they did us much damage. Remained in line of battle most of the night, and the cold rain and snow made great suffering among our men. On the morning of the 15th the batteries from the rebel side again eommenced with shell against my regiment and others supporting the batteries, killing 4 and wounding several in my regiment. I retired down a ravine a short

* Embodied in division return, p. 182.

distance from our former position. In the afternoon my regiment was relieved by the Fifty-eighth Ohio, and, Colonel Ross then being in command, the regiment was moved back to get what they.so much needed— food and rest. ‘The regiment was exposed three days and nights to severe cold, with rain and snow, in line of battle nearly all the time.

There were many aets of individual bravery, but as the facts were not reported in time I can mention but one. Corporal Smith, of Company E, went out sharpshooting on his own responsibility, and did good execution among the rebel sharpshooters and the skirmishers in advance of Taylor’s battery, firing 40 rounds of ammunition, running great risk, and showing excellent bravery—which praise, in faet, is due the whole regiment.

Respectfully submitting the above report, I remain, yours, respectfully,

F. M. SMITH Major, Commanding Seventeenth Illinois Regiment.

W. H. L. WALLACE, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade, First Division.

Report of Col. John McArthur, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Second Division.*

HEADQUARTERS First BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, ? Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 20, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part performed by my brigade during the late operatious against Fort Donelson: First. My brigade, consisting of the Ninth, Twelfth, and Forty-first

Illinois Regiments, left Fort Heiman, Ky., on the morning of February

12, 1862, bringing up the rear of the troops that proceeded from Fort Henr y and arriving about 3 miles from our line of operations at 6 p. m. of that day, eneamped, and at 10.30 o’elock that night moved the brigade a mile and a half nearer the enemy, again encamping for the remainder

_ of the night.

Second. Under arms next morning (13th) by 8 o’elock, being ordered to hold ourselves in reserve and also support the batteries of Major Cavender, then in position, against the center of the enemy’s works. At 4 p. m. moved around to the left of General MeClernand’/s division. ‘That night a portion of my command threw up two small earthworks, and plaeed in them two 20-pounder and two 10-pounder guns, respectively. These were designed to operate against the left of the enemy’s center, but, however, were never used. Same night, at 11.30 o’clock, moved the Ninth and Forty-first by General McClernand’s order about a quarter of a mile nearer to his left, remaining under arms all night without fires in the midst of a heavy snow- storm.

Third. 14th, under arms, awaiting orders, until 5 p. m. , when we were ordered to oceupy ground on the extreme right of our lines. Arrived at our new position a little after dark (about 7 p. m.), having been hotly shelled by the enemy’s batteries on the way. Encamped for the night without instructions, and, as I regret to add, without adequate knowledge of the nature of the ground in front and on our right.

fuu A ien: C. F. Smith commanded the Second Division, but seems to have made no report.

15th, at daylight, were surrounded by the enemy, who opened on us a heavy fire of musketry, at the same time outflanking us by one regiment on our right. We again moved towards the right under a heavy fire and formed. a new line, thereby defeating for the time the enemy’s object. This ground was steadily maintained until exposed to a flanking fire upon the right from fresh troops of the enemy. With a scarcity of ammunition in a large portion of my line I deemed it my duty to give the order to retire, which was executed steadily and in good order. I at once formed a new line about 300 yards to the rear, supporting the troops on our left, and remaining there until the troops who had occupied our extreme right before our arrival were forced to retire also, when

I ordered my brigade farther to the rear within our lines. I then eneamped in close order, and had the company rolls ealled and the men supplied with food (they having had none for nearly thirty-six hours), as also ammunition to replace that expended. At4p.m. we were ordered to the extreme left of our lines to support the troops at this place. The Twelfth Illinois remained wv der arms that night in support of the battery placed in the redoubt taken by assault the previous afternoon.

16th, Sunday morning, the enemy having capitulated, I marched my command into the enemy’ s works, since which time ‘they have guarded prisoners and captured stores.

I feel proud in bearing testimony to the unflinching firmness and uncomplaining conduct of the men of my command during the whole of the siege; also to their steadiness and courage displayed while under fire; and while I would not detract from any one his just dues, I must mention the gallant conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Phillips, of the Ninth Illinois; also Lieutenant-Colonel Chetlain and Major Ducat, of the Twelfth Illinois, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tupper, of the Forty- first Illinois; also my aides, Adjt. J. Bates Dickson and Lieut. George L. Paddock, of the Twelfth Illinois, and Lieutenant Babcock, of the Second Illinois Cavalry, for their valuable assistance. .I at the same time regret that circumstances placed me for a portion of the time with each division depriving my men of that favorable notice to which their arduous and soldierly conduct entitled them—conduct inferior to that of no troops on the field.

Trusting that an opportunity may soon occur where the same gallant conduct on the part of my command may be again displayed and appreeiated, I remain,

your obedient servant,

JOHN McARTHUR,
Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Second Division.
Capt. M. BRAYMAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Á
Report of Lieut. Col. Augustus L. Chetlain, Twelfth Illinois Infantry.