This is our first newsletter and it is being sent to you by mail. Our next one will be sent by e-mail. We are deciding on the format now. PDF is in the lead. If this is okay by you, please email me at the following address: bvhenry@worldnet.att.net . If you want something different, please advise.

Miss Dawna Miller has a crocheted collar pattern. If interested you may contact Miss Dawna at: jdrebelman@aol.com or call at (716) 773-1412.

BLA is always looking for new members. If you know of anyone interested in joining, please help them contact one of our officers.

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The LT. Col. Desires your presence at the 3/16/02 meeting at Sgt. Meiers at 1:00pm. It is hoped that one and all can attend.

The major wishes to extend greetings. No messages at this time. Council of war pending. More information will be available at the meeting.

The captain is in conference and has no orders at this time. Please plan to attend the meeting.

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Fort Donelson February 1862

What's happening with the Army of Tennessee?  February 11, 1862 General Grant dividing his forces into three divisions.  The first two numbering 15,000 headed for Fort Donelson after capturing Fort Henry.  All the while being harassed by Nathan Forrests calvary.  February 12, Forrest reports to General Buckner at Ft. Donelson that a large Federal force is headed trying to envelop the Conferate lines.  With Forrests aggressive actions him and his Calvary were able to drive a battalion of federals back into there own artillery fire. Six guns firing and sabers slashing Forrest very popular with his men. Never expecting more out of them than he was willing to do always in the front of the action.

February 13, light fighting 48 hours of sleet and snow slowing the arrival of federal forces. February 14, Grant orders Gun boats to assail water batteries along the Cumberland River approaching Donelson. By defeating these batteries the fall of Donelson was inevitable. But there were many brave acts along the batteries. Captain Dixon commander of the confederate battery was killed early in the battle being replaced by Captain Ross. Taking charge of the long-range guns in the fort shooting at a distance of up to two miles with great precision they tore up many of the gunboats. At one time a ball got stuck halfway down the tube the rammer was not long enough to seat it properly. Ten men ran out in front of the battery chopped a log down to the right size and drove the shot home.

But it was still inevitable the fort would fall.  Grant receiving reinforcements to the total count of around 27,000 against confederate forces of around 14,800.  February 15, Confederate forces decided to assail the right wing and center of the federal line.  Right wing being commanded by General McClernard the center by Lew Wallace the left by C. F. Smith. Very heavy fighting and great losses occurred on both sides. General's Buckner, Floyd, Pillow and Forrest slid out early in the morning and attacked McClemard and drove him two miles back. McClernard called for reinforcements but Grant was unaware that a battle was raging. Until finally the confederate cartridge boxes were empty. At this time confederates called for reinforcements also to no avail. They had to retreat.

Around midnight of February 16, Buckner Pillow Floyd and Forrest were called in to discuss surrender of the fort. Floyd and Buckner thought the situation was hopeless. Forrest and Pillow did not want to surrender. Forrest left the meeting and sent two of his men to call on a friend Dr. J. W. Smith whom lived close by and knew the roads around there better than anyone.  Dr. Smith sent word back of an escape route across Lick Creek, which ran through his property.  Buckner disagreed saying it was futile.  The water was too cold and there were to many Federal troops in the area and his men were too tired and hungry to escape.  Forrest and Pillow proclaimed that the men had been resting mostly since 6:00 pm some since 2:00 pm.  It was worth the try.  Aside from that a fresh boatload of ammunition had arrived that evening to do battle in the morning of the 16th.  But it wasn't to be Buckner would not change his mind. 

Forrest and all his men left Donelson early that morning before dawn.  They heard the confederate bugler blowing trace as they left.  General Buckner sent General Grant a message of surrender and asked for terms.  Of course Grant send his message of Unconditional surrender.  Floyd and Pillow slipped out by boat with about 1,500 men Forrest across the Lick Creek with another 1,500.  Buckner surrendered around 11,000 men unnecessarily.  Not a shot was fired at those that tried to escape.  This act by Buckner possibly turned around the future of the battles for the Army of Tennesse.

Albert Johnston sure could have used another 11,000 at Shiloh. Which would have turned Grants career around. Of course in a war of should have could have. This is just one of many many military blunders in the war of northern aggression.

*Information taken from That Devil Forrest by John Wyeth

*Published 1899 * Dr. Wyeth actually fought along with 4th Alabama cavalry and spent many years collecting information from Forrest's enemies as well as his cohorts

James D. Miller.

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By: Andrea C. Meiers

…as a reenactor.

All answers are True or False.

1. To fire by Prolonge refers to the use of a specific type of projectile.
2. A Pendulum Hausse is a type of time keeping device for measuring fuse burning time.
3. A "Model 1841" refers to a brass 6 pounder smooth bore cannon that was invented in 1841.
4. A Battery Wagon is hitched to a limber and is transported in the same manner as an artillery piece.
5. A Napoleon 12 pounder is a small "Dictator Mortar".
6. A Caisson has one ammunition chest, two wheels and is used to pull Artillery pieces.
7. A Fire Table is where powder charges are made.
8. Priming Wire and Vent Pick mean the same thing.
9. A shell is a hollow artillery projectile filled with gun powder and ignited with a fuse.
10. A Bolt is a type of rifled artillery projectile.
11. A Tar Bucket and a Grease Bucker refer to the same thing.
12. A Worm is used in place of a Sponge.
13. Loose Powder is carried in the Priming Pouch.
14. A Gunner keeps his personal gear in a Gunner's Haversack.
15. A Gimlet and a Vent Pick refer to the same tool.
16. Breech refers to the rear area of a cannon barrel.
17. Rings are tools used to stack muskets for display.
18. Wheel Guards are extra crew members that guard the cannons against theft.
19. Ferrels are used to hitch the horses to caissons and/or limbers.
20. A tompion is something vivandiers use.

Answers as I have them: 20 F,19 F,18 F,17 F,16 T,15 F,14 F,13 F,12 F,11 T, 10 T,9 T,8 F,7 F,6 F,5 F,4 T,3 T,2 F,1 F.