public property.

I left Fort Henry on the 12th instant, with a force of about
fifteen thousand men, divided into two divisions, under the
command of Generals McClernand and Smith. Six regiments were sent
around by water the day before, convoyed by a gunboat (or boats),
and with instructions not to pass it.

The troops made the march in good order, the head of the column
arriving within two miles of the fort at twelve o'clock, m. At
this point the enemy's pickets were met and driven in. The
fortifications of the enemy were from this point gradually
approached and surrounded, with occasional skirmishing on the
line. The following day, owing to the non-arrival of the gunboats
and re-enforcements sent by water, no attack was made, but the
investment was extended on the flanks of the enemy, and drawn
closer to his works, with skirmishing all day. On the evening of
the 13th, the gunboats and re-enforcements arrived. On the 14th a
gallant attack was made by flag-officer Foote upon the enemy's
river batteries with his fleet.

The engagement lasted probably one hour and a half, and bid fair
to result favorably, when two unlucky shots disabled two of the
armed boats, so that they were carried back by the current. The
remaining two were very much disabled also, having received a
number of heavy shots about the pilot-houses and other parts of
the vessels. After these mishaps, I concluded to make the
investment of Fort Donelson as perfect as possible, and partially
fortify, and await repairs to the gunboats. This plan was
frustrated, however, by the enemy making a most vigorous attack
upon our right wing, commanded by Brigadier-General J. A. (p. 373)
McClernand, and which consisted of his division and a portion
of the force under General L. Wallace.

The enemy were repelled, after a closely contested battle of
several hours, in which our loss was heavy. The officers suffered
out of proportion. I have not the means of determining our loss,
even approximately, but it cannot fall far short of twelve
hundred killed, wounded and missing. I shall retain here enough
of the enemy to exchange for them, as they were immediately
shipped off, and not left for recapture.

About the close of this action the ammunition and cartridge boxes
gave out, w