was sent to me. From: tony_meeks@msn.comTo: tcolegrove1@msn.comSubject: RootsWeb World Connect James Colegrove 44th Indiana InfantryDate: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:46:17 -0400 Terry, For the past few years I have been transcribing Civil War letters from the Indianapolis Daily Journal. I then research the writer of the letter and then post the letter on various message boards on the internet. I have included a copy of the letter written by James below while he was serving with the 44th Indiana Infantry. I also have his pension file from the National Archives and his military service record from the National Archives that I would be happy to share. Tony Meeks Fairfax Virginia This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on March 11, 1862 on page 2 columns 2 and 3. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication. The 31st and 44th Indiana at the Cumberland Battle. Fort Henry, Tenn., March 4, 1862. Ed. Journal:--A writer, in your issue of February 28, signing himself “H. B. Hibben,” in his account of the part taken by the 11th Indiana in the capture of Fort Donelson, does great injustice to two gallant regiments from his own State by his misstatements and concealment of facts. It will be seen, by referring to his letter, that, following the example of the Illinois reporters, (who only report the part take by the Illinois troops,) he claims all the credit of the last charge upon the enemy’s left flank, in the afternoon of Saturday, for his regiment—the 11th Indiana—and the 8th Missouri; leaving it to be inferred that no other troops were engaged on our side. For the purpose of setting your readers right in the case above mentioned, and in some other, as so many misstatements have been made, and so many facts concealed, and that our own State troops may have the proper credit, I subjoin a brief statement of the part taken in the capture of Fort Donelson by the 13th [3rd error in original] brigade, composed of the 31st and 44th Indiana and the 17th and 25th Kentucky Regiments, Colonel Craft, of the 31st Indiana, commanding: and particulary [sic] of the part taken by the 44th Indiana, to which I am attached. We formed our line about 8 a.m. Saturday on the left of our brigade, and marched at double-quick about three-fourths of a mile, exposed to a severe fire from the enemy the whole distance, to support some Illinois troops who had broken into disorder and were falling back. (See official report.) On arriving at our position on the extreme right Col. Logan came to us and requested us to withhold our fire, as “our own troops were between us and the enemy.” We did so, and remained in our position about half an hour, exposed to and receiving from the enemy all the time a galling fire—losing during this time three or four men and having several wounded. The enemy’s fire not being returned, he advanced so near (infantry and cavalry) that we could distinctly make out their uniforms through the brush, and the troops between us and the enemy having entirely disappeared. Col. Reed gave the order to fire, and a blaze of light ran along our whole line, which told with terrible effect, killing some forty of the enemy, as we afterwards learned from prisoners. We held the enemy in check in that position for some two hours, when the regiment on our right (an Illinois regiment) having given way, leaving us unsupported, the enemy so far outnumbered us that he was able to turn our left flank and pour into us a crossfire, while the fire in front was not at all diminished. Observing this, we changed our position and reformed with our brigade, about forty rods distant, and came to a charge bayonet, to meet a cavalry charge of the enemy with which we were threatened. The enemy not returning to make the charge, and the firing having entirely ceased on the enemy’s left wing, we formed on the top of a hill adjoining our hospital and remained there until the middle of the afternoon. During this time we saw no one except those connected with our brigade. About 3 P. M. Colonel Cruft received orders from General Wallace to dislodge the enemy from a neighboring hill, in front of their line of defense which was enfiladed by a battery of the enemy. In this charge we were supported by the 8th Missouri and 11th Indiana, two as gallant regiments as were in the battle, but which, up to this time, had not been engaged. The 8th Missouri was in the advance in ascending the hill, on the top of which the enemy was drawn up in force, and nearly concealed by a dense thicket. The 44th Indiana was the second regiment, closely following the 8th Missouri and closely followed by the 31st and 11th Indiana and the 17th Kentucky. Our whole line was extended as rapidly as possible, so that we formed one continuous line along the summit of the hill, and the enemy was speedily driven from his entrenchments. This last charge ended the battle, and night coming on we bivouacked on the field and in range of the enemy’s guns, several shots from which were thrown among us. On the following morning, just after we were drawn up in line of battle the joyful news came that the enemy had surrendered. We immediately marched within the fortifications and town of Dover, through the ranks of the enemy, who were drawn up in line—both infantry and cavalry—and outnumbering us three to one. They all, as yet, had their arms, and all loaded. They looked and acted as though they only needed a word of command to cut us to pieces. Our brigade was the first within the works, the 44th in front, and to our brigade the arms were surrendered and by us stacked. This being done, we returned to our camp, and on the same night started for Fort Henry, distant fifteen miles, in mud half knee deep, and the rain pouring down in torrents, where we are still encamped. James Colgrove, Adj’t 44th Reg’t, Ind. Vols.