W. E. Baldwin to George B. Cosby, February 16, 1862

February 16, 1862.

No. —. Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 16, 1862.

All prisoners taken at the surrender of Fort Donelson will be collected as rapidly as practicable near the village of Dover, under their respectCuar. XVIL] CAPTURE OF FORT DONELSON, TENN. 98

ive company and regimental commanders, or in such manner as may be deemed best by Brig. Gen. S. B. Buckner, and will receive two days’ rations, preparatory to embarking for Cairo. ;

Prisoners are to be allowed their clothing, blankets, and such private property as may be carried about the person, and commissioned officers will be allowed their side-arms.

U. S. GRANT, Dbrigadier- General.

Summary of killed and wounded in the Second Division, Central Army of Kentucky.

Organizations. Killed. Wounded. Aggregate. In the 3d Brigade, Col. John C. Brown commanding …………. 38 246 284 2d Kentucky Regiment (about) ……………-…….- E Midas A A 80 Issaquena Battery (about) ……,:……..–. 2… : z ae 3 iILorteriuiBabtery (ADO) renos dra alas a io 25

MA IA Pea Cos EIE 38 246 392

In the two regiments of the 2d eee Colonel Baldwin, detached and.under the command of General Pillow:

CORIO a a A EID CHITI T A PER 11 78

Staff and other officers 2 15 Aggregate……..-. euer A rore IA a+ ENPAPNNS 185

The approximate aggregate strength of the’various regiments was as follows:

Organizations. Totals. Aggregate. Uu CUR ERO eee ate pala A E ews sole 750 18th Tennessee ……. 625 32d Tennessee 400 14th Mississippi 650 4lst Tennessee ……… 400 2d Kentucky 600

Aggregate strength of Buckner’s division, under his own command, ………… 9, 425

, exclusive of two batteries of artillery. cU UU RH e See ues AO E ICI IIO CET OS A EEA bte TR SUED TTL TEDITUTIITIE

Aggregate detached under General Pillow

eat infantry of Buckner’s division, under him and General 4, 269 ow.

Estimates of killed and wounded in portions of General Pillow’s command, reporting through General Buckner.

Organizations. Killed. Wounded.

Colonel Heiman’s brigade ….–.-..——— Colonel Gregg’s regiment.. Major Brown’s regiment …

Report of Col. William E. Baldwin, Fourteenth Mississippi Y, commanding Second. Brigade.”

FogT WARREN, BosroN HARBOR, March 12, 1862.

SIR: Left by General Buckner at Cumberland City on February 11, on the night of the 12th ultimo I received orders by telegraph from Brigadier-General Pillow, commanding at Fort Donelson, to hasten to that place with two regiments of my command. The Twenty-sixth Tennessee, Colonel Lillard, and the Twenty-sixth Mississippi, Colonel Reynolds, were immediately embarked, and arrived at Dover about 1 a. m. Thursday, the 13th. These regiments were at first posted immediately on the left of the center of our lines of rifle trenches, as a support to* one of our batteries. This disposition was changed after daylight the same morning; the Twenty-sixth Mississippi being placed in the trenches on the extreme left and the Twenty-sixth Tennessee placed in reserve as a support to the former.

About 9 a. m. the enemy commenced a brisk artillery fire apparently on our whole line. This fire, kept up with but little. intermission throughout the entire day, produced but little effect upon the left until late in the evening, when, the enemy having reduced his charges, several of the shells, which had previously passed too high, fell in our midst, mortally wounding one man and slightly wounding two others in Colonel Lillard’s regiment.

On the 14th the fire was not renewed. About noon General Pillow directed the left wing to be formed in the open ground to the left and rear of our Position in the lines, for the purpose apparently of attacking the enemy’s right. My command, to which the Twentieth Mississippi, Major Brown, was temporarily attached, constituted the advance, in the following order: 1st, the Twenty-sixth Mississippi; 2d, the T wenty-sixth Tennessee; 3d, the “Twentieth Mississippi.

Formed in column by platoon, we advanced in a road leading from a point about 200 yards from the left of our trenches, and approaching nearly perpendicularly the enemy’s right. We had proceeded not more than one-fourth of a mile, when General Pillow ordered a countermarch, saying that it was too late in the day to accomplish anything; and we returned to our former position in the lines.

Late that night comman:ers of brigades were summoned to a council at General Pillows headquarters, where, after being duly advised of our perilous sitaation, enveloped by a largely superior force, which was being constantly inereased, and our communications already at the mercy of the enemy, it was unanimously determined to endeavor to extricate the army by a bold and vigorous attack on the right of the Federal lines early on the morrow.

The regiments composing our left wing were to form at 4 a. m. on the same ground and in the same order as on the previous evening, and to advance, under command of General Pillow, to attack the extreme jd of the enemy, supposed to be posted in force at a distance of 14 or 2 miles.

This movement was to be supported by our right wing, under General Buckner, who was to move from the lines at a later period, follow up the first blow, and, should the combined movement not prove successful in creating a panie in the enemy’s ranks, a way might at least be opened, by turning his right, for the egress of our whole force. In anticipation of thus attempting our escape, the men were directed to take

knapsacks, blankets, and all the rations that could be immediately provided.

Precisely at 4.10 on the morning of Saturday, the 15th, General Pillow arrived on the ground, and found my three regiments, which were to constitute the advance, formed and ready to march. Some delay was caused by regiments not arriving promptly, and it was 6 o’clock before the column was put in motion. Marching by the right flank in anarrow and obstrueted by-road, the head of the column had advanced not more than one-third of a mile when, ascending a slight elevation, the advanced guard, composed of a company of the T’wenty-sixth Mississippi deployed, was fired upon by what was supposed at first to be only the enemy’s pickets. A second company of the same regiment was immediately thrown forward to support the first; but both were soon driven back by a brisk and well-sustained fire, which indicated the presence of a considerable force. Meanwhile the column was formed by company and the leading regiment deployed into line to the right. This method of forming line of battle was rendered advisable by the peculiar features ofthe ground, which sloped gently to the right, thickly covered with timber. About 10 yards to the left of the road, and running nearly parallel, was a fence, which bounded on that side an open field of some 400 or 500 acres’ extent. This field afforded no protection to our troops if brought “forward into line,” but would expose them, in executing the movement, to a destructive fire, should the enemy have taken advantage of the position.

In executing the deployment the Twenty-sixth Mississippi was three times thrown into confusion by the close and rapid fire of the enemy, taking the men in flank, and three times were they rallied, finishing the movement some 50 yards to therear and alittle to the right of the exact point where their line should have been placed. The subsequent conduct of this regiment fully demonstrates the fact that any other than forward movements are extremely dangerous with volunteers, for during the remainder of the day both ofücers and men behaved with great coolness and gallantry.

The Twenty-sixth Tennessee was then brought forward, and five companies deployed so as to occupy the space between the fence on the left and the Twenty-sixth Mississippi on the right, leaving the remaining five companies in column in the road to strengthen that point, which would evidently become the center and pivot of operations.

Soon after this disposition was completed, a staff officer having been sent to advise General Pillow that the enemy was before us in force, other regiments were sent forward from the rear of the column to the right and left. Colonel McCausland, of Virginia, with his command, formed on the right of the Twenty- ‘sixth Mississippi, the First Mis. sissippi, Colonel “Gregg’s [Sev enth] Texas, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon’s Eighth Kentucky Regiments were formed still farther to our

right, the latter regiment thrown back perpendicularly to our line, to prevent the enemy’s taking advantage of the cover afforded by the slope of the ground to turn our right.

The Twentieth Mississippi was sent into action, as I have since learned, by direct order of General Pillow, and caused to take position in the field on the left, where they were openly exposed to a destructive fire, which they were ‘not able to return with effect. The regiment was soon reealled, but not before its left wing had suffered heavy loss. Our line advanced some 50 or 100 yards up the slope and remained stationary for more than an hour, the position of the enemy being so well chosen and covered that it seemed impossible to gain an inch of ground. A small

detachment of Virginia troops on the left of the Twenty-sixth Tennessee, and in the open field, twice endeavored to gain ground forward to a point where their fire could be effective, but were unable to stand the destructive effect of the Minie balls.

At this juncture the Twentieth Mississippi again came up across the

field and took possession, slightly covered by an irregularity of the ground. 3 Observing a regiment or more of our troops posted inaetive some 300 or 400 yards still more to our left, where the shallow ravine (which eovered our front) spread out and was lost in the plain, I requested the commanding officer to throw forward his left and advance up the hollow in a direction nearly parallel to our line of battle, and attack the enemy’s right flank. This movement being supported by the whole line, all the regiments on the left throwing forward their left wings, we sueceeded in executing a change of front to the right, turning the right of the enemy and driving him at once from his position.

Up to this time our eondition was one of extreme peril, and nothing but the native gallantry of troops brought forth for the first time under heavy fire and the extraordinary exertions of many of the field and eompany ofücers saved us from being thrown back in confusion into our trenches.

From this time the enemy were slowly driven from each position which the ground favorable for defense enabled them to take. Two sections of artillery were taken. Those placed to bear on our lines of rifle trenches were rushed upon in flanks and seized before they could be turned upon us or be taken from the field. The first section was taken by the Twenty-sixth Tennessee, the second by the Twenty-sixth Mississippi. Advancing in a direction nearly parallel to our line of defense, when nearly opposite the center our course was for some time impeded by the desperate stand made by the enemy, who was probably re-enforced and occupied ground most favorable for sheltering his troops. Our ammunition had been so rapidly expended as to entirely exhaust the supply of some regiments. Numbers had provided themselves from the cartridge boxes of the dead and wounded enemy.

Our force had been considerably reduced by casualties and the numerous attendants who conveyed the wounded from the field. Having no mounted officer to send, I rode up to where Captain Graves’ battery was posted in the trenches, and requested supplies of ammunition and re-enforcements, if any could be spared, giving Captain Graves an intimation as to the relative positions of the forces engaged. Immediately on my return he opened a fire of grape, whieh so disordered the enemy that we were again enabled to advance, driving him from his camp of the night before.

He took a new position, still farther retired, holding it for some time, until Colonel Hanson, with the Second Kentueky Regiment, coming to our assistance, poured a fire into the enemy’s flank, who immediately fled in confusion.

This completed the rout of the extreme right of the Federal forces. Uncertain as to the movements of our right wing, I paused to obtain the information necessary to render our future movements effective and to restore order from the confusion incident to a continuous combat of nearly six hours in the woods.

Here General B. R. Johnson came up to me for the first time, although

Ilearned that he had at different times during the morning directed other .

portions of theline. He could give no information, but soon after, while my attention was directed to the Twenty-sixth Mississippi and TwentyE mx

sixth Tennessee, moved off all the other regiments, including the TwenVS Mississippi. I saw no more of these during the remainder of the ay.

After the lapse of an hour, observing troops from the right returning to their original positions in the lines, I directed the two regiments left with me also to return to the trenches.

Three times during the day I had sent a staff officer to General Pillow for instructions, advising him of our situation; but no orders or directions were received from him, except to do the best I could.

Being totally unacquainted with the topographical features of the ground and unadvised as to the movements of the general command, it was impossible for me to do more than simply dislodge the enemy as from time to time he made a stand before us.

I would beg leave to remark here that the efficiency of the smoothbore musket and ball and buck-shot cartridges was fully demonstrated on this occasion, and to recommend that our troops be impressed with the advantage of closing rapidly upon the enemy, when our rapid loading and firing proves immensely destructive and the long-range arms of the enemy lose their superiority.

For lists of killed and wounded, and minor details, recounting the conduct of subaltern officers and men, I beg leave respectfully to refer to the reports of regimental commanders, which accompany this report. .

Justice requires that I should refer to the coolness and gallantry of Col. John M. Lillard, who, though wounded in the early part of the engagement, remained at the head of his command during the whole day. It is difficult to determine which deserves most commendation, this regiment or its commander.

Lieut. Col. F. M. Boone and Maj. T. F. Parker, Twenty-sixth Mississippi, both conducted themselves as officers and brave men, and this regiment bore its part well in the conflict.

Major [Wm. N.] Brown, commanding the Twentieth Mississippi, is entitled to honorable mention; his left wing, thrown in the early part of the day into an exposed position by an ill-advised order, held its ground until recalied, and afterwards the whole regiment was among the foremost in every advance.

I cannot forbear to mention that Colonel McCausland, [Thirty-sixth] Virginia, not assigned to my command, voluntarily tendered his co-operation, and was conspicuous for his daring intrepidity. The members of my personal staff deserve especial notice.

Lieut. S. D. Harris, Fourteenth Mississippi, acting assistant adjutantgeneral, was of great assistance. He merited and has received my thanks. So likewise did Thomas A. Burke, a private in Company I, Fourteenth Mississippi, appointed an acting aide-de-camp. T. F. Carrington, a private in Company K, Fourteenth Mississippi, also an acting aide-de-camp, was severely, and I fear mortally, wounded in the early part of the action; an accident which deprived me of the services of a valuable aide.

Capt. D. H. Spence, of Murfreesborough, Tenn., volunteer aide, was severely wounded in the head while gallantly exposing himself on the top of a fence and urging Tennesseeans onward.

My own regiment, the Fourteenth Mississippi, Major Doss, was sent to Fort Donelson some days in advance of my arrival. The Forty-first Tennessee, Colonel Farquharson, was brought down on the 13th. Both regiments were posted on the right and temporarily separated from my

Neither representations nor solicitations on my part could avail in

inducing such change as would reunite these regiments, or place me where I desired to be, under the immediate direction of my proper commander.

The reports of these latter regiments have beeit made to Col. John C. Brown, commanding Third Brigade, under whose orders they were temporarily placed.

A condensed statement of killed and wounded is annexed.

your obedient servant,

Colonel, Comdg. Second Brigade, General Buckner’s Division.
Maj. GEORGE B. COSBY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Inelosure.]
Number in action y
February 15. Killed. Wounded.
S