32 JAMBS BAIKD WEAVER
in front." It proceeded "steadily tip the hill
. . . . without firing a gun. On reaching
the works, we found the enemy flying before us,
except a few who were promptly put to the
bayonet. I then gave the order to fire which
was responded to with fatal precision until the
right wing with Lieutenant Colonel Baker
arrived, headed by General Smith, when we
formed in line of battle again under a galling
fire and charged on the encampment across the
ravine in front, the enemy still retreating be-
fore us. After we had reached the summit of
the hill beyond the ravine, we made a stand and
occupied it for over an hour." Soon after-
wards Colonel Tuttle retired because of an
injury, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Baker "in
command until the following morning, when
the enemy gave signal for a parley, which was
succeeded by the enjoyable intelligence that
they had surrendered the fort. "We were then
ordered by General Smith to take the post of
honor, in marching to the fort, where we placed
our colors upon the battlements beside the
white flag of the enemy".
. . . . without firing a gun. On reaching
the works, we found the enemy flying before us,
except a few who were promptly put to the
bayonet. I then gave the order to fire which
was responded to with fatal precision until the
right wing with Lieutenant Colonel Baker
arrived, headed by General Smith, when we
formed in line of battle again under a galling
fire and charged on the encampment across the
ravine in front, the enemy still retreating be-
fore us. After we had reached the summit of
the hill beyond the ravine, we made a stand and
occupied it for over an hour." Soon after-
wards Colonel Tuttle retired because of an
injury, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Baker "in
command until the following morning, when
the enemy gave signal for a parley, which was
succeeded by the enjoyable intelligence that
they had surrendered the fort. "We were then
ordered by General Smith to take the post of
honor, in marching to the fort, where we placed
our colors upon the battlements beside the
white flag of the enemy".
The work of the Second Iowa brought from
Major General H. W, Halleck, department com-
mander in the West with headquarters at St.
Louis, a telegram in which he referred to the
regiment as "the bravest of the brave. They
had the honor of leading the column which
entered Fort Donelson."
Major General H. W, Halleck, department com-
mander in the West with headquarters at St.
Louis, a telegram in which he referred to the
regiment as "the bravest of the brave. They
had the honor of leading the column which
entered Fort Donelson."