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DIARY ACCOUNT OF FORT DONELSON
(Lt. Selden Spencer, Graves’ Battery)
Maj. Selden Spencer, son of Horatio Nelson Spencer, was born in Port
Gibson, Miss., March 23, 1837. He graduated with distinction at Yale
College in 1857. At the outbreak of the war he entered heartily and
ardently into the service of the South. He raised a company of artillery
and uniformed it at his own expense. He tendered his company, in August
of
1861, to Gen. Buckner, with the request that he assign an officer to take
the chief command. Capt. Graves (afterwards major and chief of artillery
on Gen. Breckinridge's staff) accepted the appointment, and directed the
affairs of the battery up to the time of the battle and surrender of Fort
Donelson. Maj. Spencer was a planter in Issaquena County, Miss. He died
June 3, 1878.
Lt. Selden Spencer, Graves' Battery
USAMHI (Alice Sage Collection) USAMHI (Alice Sage Collection)
The following graphic account of the incidents of those memorable days is
taken from the private diary of Maj. Spencer:
The battle of Fort Donelson began on Wednesday, February 12, 1862,
about 11 A.M. I arrived at Fort Donelson from Nashville about an hour
before the action commenced, and found the battery encamped about half a
mile back from the town of Dover. Soon after I arrived our pickets
engaged
those of the enemy. Capt. Graves and two of our lieutenants had ridden to
the fort to see its strength, and also around what would be our probable
line of defense. Before Capt. Graves returned a courier came in with the
report that the enemy were advancing, driving in our pickets. I
immediately had the assembly sounded, and had the battery in marching
order when Capt. Graves rode in, taking command.
Capt. Rice E. Graves
seen as Major & Chief of Artillery
(Thompson, "History of the Orphan Brigade") (Thompson,
"History of the
Orphan Brigade")
He received orders to move about half a mile northeast of his old
position and there await further orders. We stopped in a valley running
from the river back between the town and the fort. In this dangerous and
exposed situation we remained an hour or so. The cavalry had already
passed us, bringing in their wounded. We at length
received orders to
ascend the hill upon which the fort was situated. We went down the valley
and ascended the hill near the fort, and then went back from the river
until we met our line of battle near the extreme right wing, where we
unlimbered and went into action, supported by Col. Cook's Thirty-second
Tennessee and the _____ Tennessee. Next on our right came Col. Palmer's
Eighteenth Tennessee, Col. Brown's Third Tennessee, Col. Baldwin's
Fourteenth Mississippi, Col. Hanson's Second Kentucky. Col. Hanson rested
on the back-water, which made up from the river below the fort, and was
the extreme right of our line. Capt. Porter's light battery of six guns
was posted about half-way between us and the backwater, about the middle
of the right wing. To our left the hill declined abruptly to a valley and
again rose on the opposite side. There was no force immediately in the
valley as our battery swept it, and the two regiments on
the hillsides
could throw a converging fire into it. Commencing at the foot of the
hill,
across the valley to our left, came Col. Abernethy's Fifty-third
Tennessee
and Col. Heiman's Tenth Tennessee. Capt. Maney's light battery of six
guns
was posted on the hillside near the top. The top of this hill was near
the
center of our line. Gen. Buckner commanded the right wing; Gen. Bushrod
Johnson, the center; and Gen. Floyd, the left. Gen. Floyd's left was
composed of the First Mississippi, Fifty-sixth Virginia, Fiftieth
Virginia, Seventh Texas, and Eighth Kentucky. The First Mississippi was
on
the extreme left, resting on the backwater, which made back from the
river
above the town. From this point it was about a mile and a half straight
down the river to where the Second Kentucky, our extreme right, rested.
Fort Donelson and surrounding area
-- the 2nd Kentucky Infantry
and
Graves' Battery were stationed near the center of the outer line of
works,
then they were moved to the extreme right, where they repulsed Federal
attacks on 12 February. Both
units were then moved to the extreme left,
where they made a successful attack on 14 February.
On 15 February the
2nd Kentucky, along with two of Graves' guns, were moved back to their
old
works on the extreme right, where they were unsuccessful in holding the
advanced line, but stopped the Federal attack on top of the hill just
above the fort. (Map from
Harper's Weekly, March 8, 1862, p. 150)
The line of battle was a half-circle about four miles long, and
included both the fort and the town of Dover, and was well selected, both
wings being flanked by water and being located on a chain of hills. The
country was very hilly, and covered with a thick growth of small
black-jack and oak. From the top of the hills on which we were posted the
timber had been cut down to the bottom of the hill, and in some cases up
to the top of the opposite hill. The hills were very precipitous, and in
some cases separated by ravines. We gained our position on the left of
the
right wing about one o'clock. The enemy had driven in our pickets, but
were advancing very cautiously. They soon placed a battery in position a
little to our left, and sent a few shots to feel our position and provoke
a reply. We did not answer. In about an hour they tried us again, sending
some six-pound pills over our heads, but still we did not answer. Their
battery was hidden from us by the undergrowth, and we did not intend that
they should find us out until they were within good range and were
visible. The enemy made no further demonstration that evening than to
feel
our position and to make preparation for the next day. In the afternoon
an
engineer, mounted upon a white horse, rode coolly down the valley to
within six hundred yards of our line, and surveyed us with his field
glass. A sharpshooter, having obtained permission, crept down the
hillside
to within three or four hundred yards of him and tried several shots at
him without effect. He bowed gracefully, wheeled his horse, and rejoined
his escort. Wednesday night the entire line was busied digging a trench
and throwing up a parapet of logs, Gens. Pillow and Floyd having
determined to await the attack. Those who could snatch a little rest
slept, with the blue sky for a covering.
The next morning (Thursday) the battle began soon after daylight. The
rattle of musketry was first heard along the left. A battery which had
been placed in position during the night opened on us. Our battery
replied, and Capt. Porter also opened on it. We soon silenced it,
dismounting one of their guns and a caisson. About ten o'clock the enemy
made a vigorous charge on our extreme right, but were repulsed
by the
Second Kentucky. They formed and charged again, and were again routed.
About twelve o'clock a brigade charged our center. They were met by Cols.
Heiman and Abernethy, and Capt. Maney's Battery. We opened an enfilading
fire with shell and shrapnel, when they wavered, then rallied, but were
again repulsed, falling back in disorder. A portion of the time the
combatants were not forty yards apart. Capt. Maney did great execution
with canister. In the evening they again charged our left, and were again
repulsed. The battery that we had silenced early in the morning again
opened upon us, and we fought it for a number of hours. Thursday evening
about dusk a gentle rain began to fall, but it grew cold very fast, and
before nine o’clock it was snowing furiously. It snowed nearly all
night,
but, the weather gradually growing colder, daylight broke upon us clear.
The wounded on the battle-field suffered beyond the power of words to
tell. One poor wretch had strength enough left to crawl up to the
breastworks on our left this morning, and was helped over the logs and
laid on a blanket by a fire, but death soon relieved him.
Friday morning the enemy showed no disposition to attack; their lesson
of yesterday had evidently taught them the strength of our position. From
my place I could see heavy masses of troops passing around to their
right.
They were evidently determined to surround us. There was no attack made
during the day, except by artillery. During the night a battery had been
placed on the hill opposite us, and somewhat to our right, but not so
near
to Capt. Porter as it was yesterday, but still within his range. When it
opened fire we replied, and a heavy cannonading was kept up for an hour
or
so, Capt. Porter's Battery joining us in our fire, and we silenced it.
The
cannonading was general along the whole line throughout the day. Capt.
Jackson had supported the extreme right yesterday (Thursday) evening, and
his battery was to-day employed in that position with the Second
Kentucky.
It was extremely cold, and the troops suffered very much from exposure,
being compelled to remain in action.
In the winter of 1861-62, the 2nd Kentucky had been furnished with hooded
overcoats, privately purchased for the regiment by Maj. James W. Hewitt.
These overcoats came in very handy at Fort Donelson, where Pvt. Weller
reportedly wore his coat (although it does not show the marks of the
wounds he suffered there). (Kentucky
Military History Museum)
Friday about noon the Federal gunboats came up and attacked the fort,
and for more than an hour the thunder of heavy artillery deadened the
air.
The gunboats were repulsed with loss, two or three being completely
disabled. The cheer that went along our line soon informed the enemy of
the fact.
Night closed in, and pickets were thrown out a few hundred yards, and we
slept on our guns in the snow and sleet, or rather all that could sleep
for the intense cold. About two o'clock we were roused by marching
orders.
The horses were soon geared to the guns. We marched back through the town
to our left wing, and took up our position there. The distance was about
three miles, and we accomplished it in three hours. Down the hill we
went,
on across the little valley, and up the hill leading to the town, the
hills slippery with ice, requiring all the strength of the cannoneers at
the wheels and the drivers’ spurs to get the battery up one hill in an
hour. From the town we went down another long hill and up the steep side
of the opposite one, and at daylight found ourselves there on our left
wing. It then appeared that we were to be the attacking party in the next
day's fight. Gen. Floyd had taken his division, a part of Buckner's
Division, and B. Johnson's Brigade, and Saturday at daylight we attacked
the enemy on our extreme left. The battle had opened when we gained
position. The Seventh Texas was next to us on the right wing of this new
line of battle, next to it the Eighth Kentucky, the First Mississippi,
Third Tennessee, Twentieth Mississippi, Fifty-sixth Virginia, etc. The
enemy fought gallantly, contesting the ground inch by inch, but we were
not to be cool spectators of the scene. As soon as we gained our position
the enemy opened on us from a battery about eight hundred yards to our
right with rifled ten-pound Parrott and James rifled guns and well
handled, while we had to fight them with smoothbores, except one rifled
ten-pound Parrott gun in our battery. I immediately devoted myself as
exclusively as possible to the rifled piece, trusting more to its
accuracy. The sharpshooters of the enemy were, as usual, very annoying,
creeping among logs and timber to within four or five hundred yards of
our
line, and the whistle of their bullets rang merrily (?) and continuously.
Early in the morning a shell wounded five of our men, one of them
mortally. Their rifled shot and shells tore up the ground around us, cut
off saplings and limbs around and above us, killing some of our horses
and
knocking off the end of a caisson.
Gen. Buckner stood by my position for some time, watching the progress
of the battle. He at length ordered a portion of Capt. Porter's Battery
to
take up position about four hundred yards to our right and assist us. Our
united efforts soon began to tell. We were supported by the Second
Kentucky, Fourteenth Mississippi, and several Tennessee regiments of Gen.
Buckner's Division. Posted as we were on the extreme right of our new
line, we were the pivot on which the line was moving. Fighting had been
steady along the line all the morning. At times the musketry would be
steady, continuous, and severe, telling of the stubborn stand the enemy
were making, and then the scattering discharges told of their falling
back. Gen. Floyd had been thus driving the enemy all the morning until
about half past ten o'clock, when Gen. Buckner ordered the Fourteenth
Mississippi to charge the enemy in front of us, and they were supported
by
some Tennessee regiments. Under cover of our fire they advanced and began
the attack; but were forced back, and the two regiments fell back behind
us. The enemy now appeared on the hillside about four hundred yards from
us. They formed beautifully in the shape of an open V, the point toward
us. We showered shell and canister upon them, breaking their line, and
they fell back behind the hill. The Second Kentucky was now ordered to
the
charge. They formed on the hillside, charged up the hill in gallant
style,
and Col. Brown, of the Third Tennessee, supported them. The Fourteenth
Mississippi was again led out to the charge. Col. Forrest drew up his
cavalry on the hillside. When the Second Kentucky marched to the hilltop
the contest was sharp and decisive. A squadron of Forrest's Cavalry
charged the enemy a little to the right, and the Fourteenth Mississippi
to
the left. The enemy gave ground, still fighting as they retreated.
The rattle of Floyd's musketry was growing sharper and nearer. He had
been driving the enemy all morning, but it was now evident that he had
them under good headway. The battery that we had been fighting gave way,
leaving behind a dismounted gun and caisson. The enemy were now in full
retreat. Gen. Buckner pursued them heartily on the right and Gen. Floyd
on
the left. Gen. Buckner ordered out a section of our battery to support
and
follow up the pursuit. Capt. Graves and Lieut. S. M. Spencer went in
command. After retreating about a mile, the enemy fell back on their
reserve, and here, where they had constructed temporary breastworks, they
again made a stand, but were soon routed, and Forrest's Cavalry pursued
them for some distance.
By a review of this statement it will be seen that the enemy first
advanced to the attack on Wednesday, making a reconnoissance in force;
that on Thursday they attacked our right and center in force, and were
repulsed; that their reenforcements Thursday and Thursday night enabled
them on Friday to strengthen and extend their line on our left until it
inclosed us and cut us off from retreat, except by transports up the
river. . . . Our generals knew, too, that it would be easy for the enemy
to post a battery of field guns on the river bank and cut off our
communication with Nashville and our retreat by river. The enemy were
also
receiving reenforcements on Friday and Friday night, and had heavy masses
of troops supporting their left near the fort. Under these circumstances
it would have been easy for them to have tired us out. We had but about
fourteen thousand men; they had near sixty thousand. By bringing up fresh
commands to the attack every day they could have exhausted our little
band, which had no relief and had already been employed three days up to
Friday night without rest, sleeping in the trenches by night, fighting by
day in the snow and sleet, poorly clad and poorly fed. It was accordingly
determined Friday night to make the attack on Saturday morning, to
withdraw nearly all our forces from our right wing, and with our right
and
left wings to advance on the enemy's right flank, turn it, drive them
back
past our center, and then hold them in check with our artillery for the
army to pass out and retreat up the river. Gen. Buckner wished the attack
to be made on Friday, and Gen. Grant, commanding the Yankees,
acknowledged
that if the attack had been made on Friday, before he received Friday's
reenforcements, he could have been driven back to his transports; but
Gen.
Buckner's plan was overruled, and the attack was made Saturday. As has
been seen, it was eminently successful. Gen.
Floyd had but eight
regiments, in all about four thousand men, when he made the attack. Gen.
Buckner supported him with not quite four thousand men, making in all
about eight thousand we had engaged Saturday. The enemy had opposed to
Floyd about twenty-two regiments, containing about fourteen thousand men,
and two field-batteries. Both of their batteries were taken. When Gen.
Buckner charged their left and joined Floyd the enemy fell back on their
reserve. They had nearly thirty thousand men engaged to our eight
thousand, yet they were driven back on their reserve. When the enemy was
at last repulsed and Forrest's Cavalry was pursuing, Gen. Buckner, in
pursuance of the plan agreed upon, ordered the remainder of our battery
out to support our two guns already in the advance; also ordered Porter's
and Greene's Batteries to assist us, so that we could hold the enemy in
check if they rallied and came back, while our army should pass and
retreat up the river. I was in command of the battery at the time, and
before I could execute the order Gen. Pillow recalled the pursuit,
countermanded the order, and ordered the different commands back to their
old positions.
He telegraphed to Nashville that he had gained a great victory and
dispersed the enemy. He was doomed to be made wiser by experience before
he was twelve hours older. We, as ordered, started back to our position,
but had not made half the distance up and down those ice-covered hills
when we heard heavy firing on our right wing. It appeared that the enemy,
finding themselves unexpectedly attacked and routed on the right wing,
had
determined to attack our right wing, having learned that nearly all our
troops on the right had been drawn off for the attack on their right.
They
made the attack about four o'clock. All of our right wing had retaken
their old positions, except the extreme right, held by the Second
Kentucky. The enemy accordingly made easy work of the few companies left
there to guard the temporary breastworks. They were advancing uphill to
the breastworks when they met the Second Kentucky, which regiment had
charged and driven them back down the hill and over the breast-works, but
could not dislodge them, and were in turn forced back up the hill.
Attack of the 2nd Iowa Infantry and Lauman's Brigade on the works held by
the 2nd Kentucky Infantry
on the Confederate right, February 15, 1862 (Harper's Weekly, March 15,
1862, p. 161)
In the meantime Porter's Battery had gotten into position, and was raking
them with an enfilading fire. We hurried up as fast as possible, and soon
got two guns to bear on them. The battle raged fiercely until dark
without
advantage on either side, the loss on both sides being heavy. It was
evident that there was now no hope for us. All Saturday evening the smoke
of the enemy's transports below the fort showed that they were still
landing reenforcements. They had again extended their right wing around
our left, and had strengthened it heavily. We were completely worn out
with four days' hard fighting and four nights without sleep, exposed to
the rain and sleet. It remained to resist the enemy Sunday morning and be
slaughtered or to surrender. A council of war was
held. Gen. Pillow went
on a boat to Nashville. Gen. Floyd got the most of his brigade on the few
transports that we had, and, passing the command to Gen. Buckner, senior
brigadier, escaped to Nashville. . . . Before daylight on Sunday morning
the white flag was raised, and our bugles played "Truce." Gen.
Grant
refused any terms but unconditional surrender, which were agreed to.
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