The Fight at Donelson

HEADQUARTERS, WHARTON'S BRIGADE,
COMPANY B, Feb. 20th, 1863

EDS. NEWS:--A scout being ordered, the 27thg of January found Wharton's Brigade in the saddle, proud in the anticipation of a dash on the enemy.-A soldier becomes so tired of the dullness of camp, any change is hailed with joyous delight. After a fatiguing and circuitous ride of two days we reached Franklin, a beautiful little town of Williamson county, rich in hospitality, and boasting of the belles of Tennessee. We were satisfied to rest a few days; but the ominous call to "boots and saddles" reminded us that we were soldiers, and that all sacrifices must be made. In conjunction with Gen. Forrest, we moved towards the Cumberland. Incited by the brilliant dash of Gen. Magruder at Galveston, we determined to transmogrify ourselves into Horse-Marines, by taking a gunboat. The 2d of February found us within 18 miles of the river, and within twenty-five of the ill-fated fort Donelson. It was determined in council to assail the garrison, and if possible, take the fort by assault; Gen. Forrest to move in on the right, and Gen. Wharton on the left. Two o'clock, P. M., of the 3rd, was the hour fixed for the combined attack. Our Texas General, ever prompt to duty, had his brigade in motion by 3 o'clock; A. M., and strained every nerve to reach the Cumberland at the coveted hour. The weather freezing cold, and the ground covered with snow, the road over the hills was almost impassible for artillery, and our progress was necessarily slow. Lieut Pue, commanding the battery, with his usual energy, pushed the guns forward, and by 2 ½ o'clock we were in readiness for the onset. The Rangers, save company B, were detached on the Fort Henry road, to check the approach of an enemy in that direction. The "Scouts," under Capt. Gordon, were stationed on the river bank, to keep an eye on the gunboats and other infernal machines. The 4th Tennessee, (Col. Smith,) 14th Alabama, (Col. Malone,) 3d Confederate, (Lieut. Col. Mates,) and company B, 8th Texas, (Lieut. Fulkerson,) dismounted, and were placed on the right of the Brigade, under Col. Harrison, of the Rangers. The 1st Confederate, (Col. Cox,) and 2d Georgia, (Col. Crews,) also dismounted, formed the left; Col. Crews commanding. Our artillery took position in the center. The 11th Texas, 80 strong, under Capt. Groce, was held in reserve, Gen. Wharton having the immediate supervision of the whole. The enemy, having knowledge of our approach, warmly welcomed the entrée of Gen. Forrest; and the belchings of a sixty-four, thirty-two and twenty-four, with a four-gun battery on our lines, convinced us there was warm work ahead. The Yankees, strongly posted in the rifle pits and entrenchments so numerous around the old fort, kept up a murderous fire upon our men. "Forward!" rings along our line; the Confederates, steadily advancing, drive the enemy before them. Their artillery playing upon our advancing column, caused us no little annoyance, when Pue was ordered to silence their guns. With promptness he moves to the front and opens o the Yankee batteries with telling effect. The earth enveloped in a cloud of smoke; the deep booming of cannon; the sharp rattle of musketry; the plunge of the wounded horse; the prayer of the dying; the cheer of the unvanquished, presented a grand but awful spectacle - A bloody battle is being fought. The Yankee guns, dislodged, retire to a stronger position on a hill, in the rear of a grave yard, near the little town of Dover. Pue, rapidly advancing, again engaged the enemy's battery at the short range of three hundred and fifty yards, and by a few well directed shots relieves the horses of a beautiful twelve pound rifled piece and its attendant caisson. The 2d Georgia charges; the enemy completely routed, abandon the gun and caisson, which are carried to the rear in triumph by our boys. It is 5 o'clock, and still the firing is without cessation and terrific in desperation. The Yankees, protected by the houses of the town, pour volley after volley into our unwavering ranks and work their siege guns with unabated activity. Exposed in an open field, Gen. Wharton orders a double quick and our soldiers gain the west end of the town, expelling the Yankees with the butt end of the musket. We have accomplished our work. Gen. Forrest in the meantime had made two different assaults from the east of Dover and was repulsed. Had he been equally successful with ourselves, Donelson would have fallen an easy conquest. What is to be done? "Wharton can take it," is the universal cry; when, lo! it is whispered along the lines that our ammunition is expended. Too true; in the face of an enemy equally as powerful, and not a round to the man. Major General Wheeler commands, retreat! The death knell to a brilliant victory [is] sounded.

Gen. Wharton's Brigade had driven the enemy over a mile and a half from entrenchment to entrenchment, from redoubt to redoubt, had captured the finest brass piece in the service with fifty-four prisoners; [had] strewn the field with Yankee slain; and finally had forced them from the houses of Dover; and now we roust retreat. Terrible! slowly and sullenly we fall back, shelled by fort and gunboats for two miles. I would be unnecessary to attempt the praise of Gen. Wharton and his brave cavaliers. By his gallantry and daring upon every hard fought field, our General has won golden honors for himself and Brigade; and nowhere did his military genius and chivalrous bearing shine forth more gloriously than at Donnelson. In the thickest of the fight, sitting on his charger firmly, his clothes riddled with bullets, his men falling around him, he issued his orders calmly and coolly, and by daring deeds incited his soldiers to greater valor. His command loves and trusts him; his superior officers admire and respect him, and he is a Texan "to the manor born."-His staff, gallant and efficient, received the [plaudits], "well done!" more pleasing than a volume of high sounding praise. Several of the staff had their horses shot, and young Martin, of Tennessee, acting Aide, was wounded in the arm. Many officers of the different regiment were wounded, while gallantly leading their men. Col. Harrison had his horse shot from under him, but escaped without personal injury. He nobly sustained the reputation of a good fighter so fairly won at Shiloh. Col. Crews, Col. Smith, Lieut. Col. Paul Anderson, (formerly of Texas) and Major Bledsoe, were slightly wounded. The Brigade sustained a loss of 100 killed and wounded-Gen. Forrest's command about the same. The Yankees suffered terribly in killed and wounded, and the prisoners captured by both Brigades amount to over one hundred. Our wounded are improving rapidly under the kind treatment of Brigade Surgeon B. F. Lackey and assistants. The 3d of February, 1863, will ever be remembered by the soldiers of Wharton's and Forrest's Brigades. No fight of the war of like magnitude has been so desperately and fiercely contested.-Our command is camped for the present near Lewisburg, 26 miles form Shelbyville. We are recruiting for another raid-In what direction the future must determine. The Yankees have advanced towards Shelbyville some eight miles. Gen. Joe Johnston is ready to receive them. Any moment may precipitate an action.

BRAZORIA.

NOTE,--The ink is poor, don't know whether it is legible.