Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/326

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About 4 o'clock the next morning the battery was ordered on the left of the army. Owing to the proximity of the enemy this move- ment had to be executed with caution and as quietly as possible. Although the undertaking was one fraught with difficulty and danger, yet we succeeded in obtaining a position about the dawn of day, and hastily threw up light earthworks, which was very difficult to do in consequence of the frozen condition of the ground. During the day several of General Forest's men, with improved firearms, came near our battery and at once communicated with those fellows, who could be seen in trees, by means of leaden messengers, informing them that the position they occupied was totally at variance with our wishes. They soon took in the situation. Some descended with involuntary celerity, while others retired more hastily than they ascended.

DESPERATE BATTLE.

On the evening of the i4th of February, 1862, the enemy's gun- boats made a desperate and powerful attack on Fort Donelson. The cannonading was terrific and incessant for several hours. Finally they were repulsed, sustaining great damage and loss of life. During the bombardment solid shot from the gunboats often passed over and beyond our troops on the right, falling between the respective armies.

Early Saturday morning, February 15, 1862, General Floyd's Brigade was ordered to assault the enemy on his right line of de- fence. This order was rather unexpected. Breakfast was being pre- pared at the time, and there was much confusion in camp. The battle soon began, and the rattle of musketry and boom of cannon continued until about i o'clock P. M. The enemy had superior numbers, and was frequently reinforced during the fight. The Con- federates were continuously engaged in the battle without relief or reinforcement, yet, under the disadvantages the enemy was driven back probably two miles, sustaining considerable loss, and the Con- federates occupied his position. It may be mentioned that General Grant's headquarters tent was captured in this engagement with con- tents. This was a hard fought battle, every foot of ground being stubbornly contested.

It was the intention of General Floyd to pursue the enemy. A gun from my battery, with my detachment, and other troops, was ordered in pursuit. After proceeding a short distance this order was countermanded, and we returned to our original position. The rea- son for this was, that in view of information received, the enemy having been heavily reinforced, the undertaking would have been