R. J. Oglesby to Mason Brayman, February 20, 1862

SIR:

I have the honor to report that under Field Orders, No. 125, of

11, I moved with the First Brigade from Fort Henry in the direction of Fort Donelson at 4 o’clock p. m. and encamped on the Ridge road, 4 miles from Fort Henry, at 8 o’elock p. m. of that day. My forces consisted of the Highth Illinois Regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. Frank L. Rhoads; Eighteenth Illinois Regiment, commanded by Col. Michael K. Lawler; Twenty-ninth Illinois Regiment, commanded by Col. James S. Rearden; Thirtieth Illinois Regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. Elias 8. Dennis, and the Thirty-first Ulinois Regiment, commanded by Col. John A. Logan ; four independent companies sof cavalr y, commanded by Captains Dollins, Carmichael, O’Harnett, and Lieutenant King; Captain Schwartz’s battery of two 6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder howitzers, commanded by First Lieut. (G.] Conrad Gumbart, and Captain Dresser’s battery of three 6-pounder rifled guns. Early on the morning of the 12th instant Colonel Noble joined the command with two companies of the Second Illinois Cavalry and two companies regular cavalry. He was immediately sent forward with his whole command to reconnoiter to a point within 2 miles of Fort Donelson, using Captains Carmichael and O’Harnett’s cavalry as flankers. The column was put in motion at 8 o’clock a. m., and moved slowly to a point 2 miles from the position of the enemy, at which place, meeting their pickets, Major Mudd went forward with a detachment of the Second Illinois Cavalry and drove them back, while a position was taken by the advance guard to receive them. The general commanding, arriving on the ground, ordered the column to move to the right of the Ridge road, through some old fields, to the main road leading from the Big Sandy Creek to Dover.

Ascending the high wood ridge overlooking the fields to our left and rear and within 1 mile of the main fort and about 24 miles from Dover, which lies 1 mile above the fort on the Cumberland River, a large body of cavalry, under Colonel Forrest, threatened my right, and prepared to attack the head of the column. They were held in check for five minutes, until I could bring forward the grand guard, under Major Bacon, of the Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, which was thrown across the slope of theridge descending into the valley, leading directly into the camp of the enemy. At the same time the right wing of the Eighth Regiment, in column of platoon, took position as a reserve to the grand guard, with Captain O’Harnett’s cavalry, holding the high ridge to our right, and Colonel Noble’s eavalry in front, ready to retire through the intervals on the right wing of the Eighth Regiment, should it become necessary to do so. “The Eighteenth was formed in column of companies at the foot of the hill, and the rest of the column held position as in the line of march. Instantly the attack began and was steadily resisted by the grand guard for ten minutes, when the enemy again gave back, and Major Bacon held the right unbroken.

Finding no chance to break the lines of the guard, they now in large force attempted to gain the rear of it. I ordered Colonel Noble to retire hiscavalry through ‘the Eighth Regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Rhoads wheeling into line, the right wing checked their advance by a vigorous fire, until Lieutenant Gumbart, arriving at the point, sent a shell into them, when they fled in confusion from the field. ^ The way was now open for another advance. . The general commanding ordered the left wing forward on the high ridge in front of the fort, halting to reconnoiter to the right towards the main road leading from Paris to Dover, and, as I was informed, to bring up the Second Brigade. I ordered Lieutenant Gumbart to take forward one howitzer and throw some shell into the line of the enemy across the main road leading to the Cumberland. The

range being too long for the shells, Captain Dresser brought forward a rifled 6-pounder, and in a few shots broke up their lines and drove them. from their tents.

Having received orders to move the brigade forward in the direction ofthe lines of the enemy, I deployed the Eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Regiinents into line of battle, and moved slowly forward ə half a mile, at the same time sending the Eighteenth Regiment to the right, over the high ridge, to the Paris road, “and at sunset, by a flank mov ement, moved the rest of the brigade over the ridge to the Paris road, thus. occupying the last main outlet from Fort Donelson and the town of Dover by night-fall. Upon going forward to the right I found Colonel Lawler, in his anxiety to push forward, had moved the Eighteenth Regiment under the range of a four-gun battery in the main redoubt in front of Fort Donelson. In attempting to draw my line back an unfortunate discharge of musketry into the ranks of the Twentyninth Regiment killed and wounded several men of that regiment. Permission was given to Colonel Rearden to move the Twenty-ninth to the left of the brigade for the night to dispose of his wounded men. Early next morning the regiment returned to its position in line, and was stationed in rear of the Eighth as a reserve for the day.

Early on the morning of the 13th I ordered Captain Dresser to bring forward his battery and take position in front of the main redcubt of the enemy. In twenty minutes the four guns of this redoubt were silenced by him. During the day this battery was moved forward along the line as the column advanced to the right, and in every instance was most effective in silencing the guns of theenemy. Captain Dresser is entitled to much praise for his cool and disereet bearing during the entire action. Lieutenant Barger and the men at the guns did most excellent service. ‘The ammunition of the battery was exhausted on the 13th. On the 14th it was supplied with 120 rounds of shotand shell. On the 15th instant this battery was on my extreme left, under the special orders of the general commanding. Early on the day of the 13th the brigade moved to the right, immediately under the fire of the artillery and sharpshooters of the enemy, one-half mile nearer Dover, on the Paris road, and again, later in the day, a half mile farther, to a point, in one instance, within

. for the’night, with the Eighteenth Regiment on the right, still preserviug the original order of battle, excepting that Lieutenant Gumbart, commanding Schwartz’s light batter y, was posted between the Eighth and Twenty- ninth Regiments.

I will not omit the highly creditable part borne by Lieutenant Gumbart with his battery. During the march on the 13th instant, in tho afternoon, whilst ‘taking a new position, Lieut. Joseph Hauger was severely, if not mortally, wounded by a ball from one of the sharpshoot- ers of the enemy at a distance of 500 yards, while directing one of his guns. Both officers and men seemed unconscious of danger. In the midst of a heated artillery contest of one hour, having obtained the consent of Col. William H. L. Wallace to bring up a section of Captain Taylor’s battery to this place, both batteries entered into the contest with surprising vigor, and soon the enemy’s lines were cleared and their guns silenced. I leave the conduct of Captain Taylor’s battery to the notiee of Colonel Wallace, who observed them while engaged. The whole front of my line was covered with skirmishers during the night of the 13th, and the men again stood to arms all night under one of the most persecuting snow-storms ever known in this country, without fires and without reliefs. During the night, in passing from the right of the Eighteenth, under Col. M. K. Lawler, to the left of the Thirty-first, under Col. John A. Logan, there was one universal wish to meet the enemy, to carry the fort, and to end the sufferings of the-moen.

On the morning of the 14th the sun rose upon our forces, who were nearly torpid from the intense cold of the night. Receiving an order from the general commanding to remain quiet in camp and not attack the enemy until Brigadier-General Grant had communicated with the gunboats, most of the men made coffee. All other rations were exhausted. During the day the brigade had nothing to eat, the wagons not having yet come up with the three days’ additional rations, and did not arrive until the afternoon of the 15th instant. During the afternoon of the 14th I moved the brigade the distance of 100 yards to the right, near an open field, in full view of the lines of the enemy. All night long we eould hear them felling trees and using picks and shovels to strengthen their defenses.

At this time my right was a half mile from Dover and about 400 yards from the backwater of a small creek, rendering their escape impossible except through this narrow opening of 300 to 400 yards. Colonels Noble’s and Dickey’s cavalry reported to me early this morning, and soon made a thorough reconnaissance around the left of the enemy and nearly into.Dover. As I have no official reports from these – forces, I am not able to state what particular companies did this labor. It was very hazardous, and opened the way quite to the river. On the ridge of this old field I was anxious to plant a battery, but could not safely remove Lieutenant Gumbart, who was holding one of the three principal roads leading into Dover from the back country through my lines, on one of which was posted the Eighteenth and on the other two the Eighth and Twenty-ninth Regiments. During the afternoon I posted the Thirtieth Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis, 50 yards in the rear of the Eighth Regiment, as a reserve, for the night, : the brushy and broken character of the ground forbidding any greater distance with security. The Twenty-ninth and Thirty-first held the ground from the main Paris road into Dover, reaching along the ridge of the hills to Colonel Wallace’s right. Thus we stood to arms again for the night. Scarcely a man slept. By this time the enemy had opportunity to measure the strength and disposition of my forces on his left. In reply to my request for forces to strengthen my reserve, the general sent Colonel McArthur, with the Ninth, Twelfth, and Forty-first . Regiments, but without artillery.

Saturday morning, the 15th instant, at fifteen minutes before 6 o’clock, the enemy dared to pass out of his trenches for the first time in a desperate effort to turn our right and escape into the country. By 6 o’clock the whole brigade was in line and ready for the action. Going to my extreme right, where the attack was made by their infantry, I found that Colonel MeArthur had thrown forward the Ninth Regiment on my line of battle, which was now hotly engaged. Going out into the open field, I found the Forty-first, under Col. Isaac O-Pugh, in line, but some distance from the right of the Ninth, with two companies of skirmishers, under Lieut. Col. Ansel Tupper, still farther to the right, and eovering the entire ground by which the enemy could escape. These two companies were also then engaged. From the large force of infantry and cavalry moving in front of their line it was obvious the contest was to be upon our right, and in less than twenty minutes their skirmishers, entering the almost impenetrable underbrush and thick woods, followed closely by their main body, moved against the Eighteenth and Eighth Regiments. Lieutenant Gumbart used two pieces of his battery with energy until severely wounded and carried from the field.

The enemy did not spare their grape and canister, and occasionally sent-a shell or round shot from the six or eight guns bearing on our lines. The Twenty-ninth soon became generally engaged. Two companies detached on the left of the Eighth, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dunlap, were engaged with the Eighth Regiment. The fire upon our lines continued with unabated fury for an hour longer, when I learned that Colonel MeArthur had withdrawn his brigade to take position below the old field. Finding my right uncovered, I sent Captain Brush, now commanding the Eighteenth Regiment—Col. M. K. Lawler having been wounded in the left arm and compelled to leave the field—to the right, so as to bring the Thirtieth Regiment into line on the left of the Eightcenth, In carrying out this order Captain Brush was also wounded. The regiment, by this time having by a steady and unflinching fire nearly exhausted their ammunition, retired as the Thirtieth came into line, leaving 44 dead on the ground and 170 wounded. Continuing to hold my position for still another hour under their galling fire I was tempted to use the bayonet, but the risk of breaking my lines in an effort to go through the thick brush, when the result under the most favorable circumstances could only be to drive them ipto their lines and expose my command to a raking fire of artillery and musketry upon emergiug in broken files from the thiek woods, determined me to hold my line to the last.

At this moment Col. F. L. Rhoads reported to me that the cartridgeboxes were nearly empty. I told him to hold his position until re-enforcements eame up, when I would move his regiment off the ground for ammunition. In a few moments the Twenty-fifth Kentucky came in sight, commanded by Col. J. M. Shackelford. I led the colonel to his position, and ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Rhoads to show him how to file past the Eighth Regiment as it moved off the ground. From some unaccountable cause the left wing of the Twenty-fifth fired, and, some of the balls taking effect in the Eighth and Twenty ninth Regiments, threw the men into confusion, when they with the Thirtieth Regiment retired from the ground. I saw no more of the Twenty-fifth Kentucky. The Thirtieth Regiment left on the ground 19 killed and 71 wounded ; the Twenty-ninth left 25 killed and 60 wounded; the Eighth left 55 killed and 188 wounded. Most of the wounded were taken off the field. A few men, with Major Post, of the Eighth, who was also badly wounded, were taken prisoners. Three pieces of Lieutenant Gumbart’s battery fell into the hands of the enemy. They could have been brought off, but 23 horses had been killed or disabled.

At the moment my line was broken the fire of the enemy had materially slaekened, and twice before they had been driven back. The enemy skulked behind every hiding place, and sought refuge in the oak

. leaves, between which and their uniforms there was so strong a resemblanee, our men were continually deceived by them. Turning to the ‘Thirty-first, which yet held its place in line, I ordered Colonel Logan to throw back his right, so as to form a crochet on the right of the Eleventh Illinois. In this way Colonel Logan held in check the advancing foe for some time under a most destructive fire, whilst I endeavored to assist Colonel Oruft with his brigade in finding à position on the right of the Thirty-first. It was now four hours since the fighting began in the morning. The cartridge-boxes of the Thirty-first were nearly empty. The colonel had been severely wounded, and the lieutenant-Colonel, John H. White, had, with some 30 others, fallen dead on the figkl, and a large number wounded. In this condition Colonel Logan brought otf the remainder of his regimentin good order. Atthesuggestion of Colonel Logan, as he left the ground, the Eleventh Illinois, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ransom, of Col. W.H. L. Wallace’s brigade, changed front to the rear upon the ground just occupied by Colonel Logan, and held this position for half an hour under a heavy fire from the enemy.

Reporting to the general commanding the state of affairs, he ordered me to reform the brigade on the left of the division. ln two hours the whole brigade was reformed, and having received a new supply of ammunition, awaited orders to march onto the field again. * Night coming on, the troops went into camp, three regiments near the hospital, in good order, and the Eighth and Eighteenth on the high ridge in front of the main redoubt. Some of the regiments sent details to bury the dead and take care of the wounded, but Captain Lieb, of the Eighth Illinois, who had the party in charge, was unable to reach the ground, the pickets of the enemy still holding it.

Sunday morning, the 16th instant, the brigade, in common with the whole army, marched into the fort. Feeling a just pride at the honorable part they had Dorne in its reduction and surrender, I cannot venture to mention the special deeds of daring where all bore so noble a part, nor do I know that any praises of mine can add to the feeling, strong with officers and men, that all was done that could be to uphold the honor of our flag and punish traitors for their treason. I was ably sustained by the colonels commanding regiments, no order being given during the action but was faithfully and cheerfully executed, and I share with them freely whatever of credit may be given to our whole command. Dr. Silas T. Trowbridge, acting brigade surgeon, and Dr. J. M. Phipps, assistant surgeon to the Eighth ltegiment, acting as my aides until the wounded demanded their attention, are entitled to much credit for their good services in both capacities. Captain Dollins, volunteer aide-decamp; Henry N. Pearse, acting brigade quartermaster and aide, and William C. Clark, acting assistant adjutant-general, behaved with much coolness, together with Privates James M. Baxter, E. M. Gard, James Slatton, and Jacob Swafford, orderlies, from Captain Dollins’ cavalry, who bore my orders in the hottest of the fight with promptness and courage.

I transmit you copies of the reports of the different colonels commanding and of Captain Dresser, and ask your attention to the names favorably mentioned in them. I also send list of the killed and wounded.*

Iam, most

respectfully, your obedient servant,