Letter
MeClernand to Ulysses S. Grant, February 18, 1862
HDQRS. FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
Fort Henry, February 18, 1862.
SIR:
On the morning of Saturday, February 15, the Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers left their bivouac near the enemy’s lines and marched to the attack on Fort Donelson.
By order of General MeClernand, we first took position near the battery (which was afterwards
assaulted by the rebels) In this position the enemy's shot passed over
our heads. Shortly afterwards we were ordered forward into line with
our brigade (First). As we marched past the enemy's breastworks we
received a heavy fire, wounding some of our men. We took our position on the left wing of our brigade, in front of and in range of the
our heads. Shortly afterwards we were ordered forward into line with
our brigade (First). As we marched past the enemy's breastworks we
received a heavy fire, wounding some of our men. We took our position on the left wing of our brigade, in front of and in range of the
enemy's guns. They were invisible to us, while we were exposed to their
view. "There was part of a regiment of Union troops (Colonel Logan) on
the slope of the hill between us and the enemy. Colonel Logan came
to our lines and requested we would not fire, as it would endanger his
view. "There was part of a regiment of Union troops (Colonel Logan) on
the slope of the hill between us and the enemy. Colonel Logan came
to our lines and requested we would not fire, as it would endanger his
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, N. Alabama, S.W. Virginia, 1861–62. Location: Fort Henry. Summary: MeClernand reports to Grant on the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteers' engagement at Fort Donelson, detailing their positions, enemy fire, and coordination challenges with Colonel Logan's Union troops.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7
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