Today in History:

678 Series I Volume VII- Serial 7 - Ft. Henry-Ft. Donelson

Page 678 OPERATIONS IN KY.,TENN.,N. ALA.,AND S. W. VA. Chapter XVII.

Pillow's account of the battle at Fort Donelson. I write in haste, as the January is about to start for Cairo.

I am, &c.,

W. T. SHERMAN,

Brigadier-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 2, 1862-10 a. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Saint Louis, Mo.:

Buell thinks the enemy intends uniting behind the Tennessee River, so as to be able to concentrate either on you or Buell. In this case it become doubly important, first, to hold Nashville; secondly, next to gain possession of Decature and the line of road in that vicinity, in order to isolate Johnston from Memphis and Columbus must soon fall. Chattanooga is also a point of great importance for us.

Arrange details with Buell.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 2, 1862.

Brigadier General D. C. BUELL,

Nashville, Tenn.:

I have telegraphed Halleck that it is important sot seize Decatur and thus isolate Johnston from Memphis and Columbus. Of course you must hold Nashville firmly, and Chattanooga is a very important point to gain.

Arrange details with Halleck, co-operate fully together, and give him all the assistance you can. Push Carter forward as rapidly as possible. What is Garfield doing?

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE, Numbers 20.
Fort Donelson, March 2, 1862.

The following changes in General Orders, Numbers 6. [February 21], brigading and assigning to division the troops of this command, are hereby made:

the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers is transferred from the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, to the Second Brigade, First Division; the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers from the Second Brigade, First Division, to the First Brigade, First Division; and the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteers from the Third Brigade, First Division, to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division.

By command of Major General U. S. Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, Numbers 14.
Fort Donelson, Tenn., March 2, 1862.

* * * *

2. Two brigades of each the First and Fourth Division will proceed without delay to the Tennessee River by what is known as the Ridge


Page 678 OPERATIONS IN KY.,TENN.,N. ALA.,AND S. W. VA. Chapter XVII.