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Feby 16th William B Wilsons note 6 oclock P.M.
A Dispatch just received says for Donalson is taken by the Federals all is lost. I have nothing to offer that could comfort you. (I never had such awful feelings)

Feby 20. Received another letter from my son Thomas dated the 15th Feby in Fort Donalson had hard fighting, says about 50 of our boys were killed that day near there works & 4 or 500 of the enemy Wm Kearnel says that he left William & Thomas on Sunday morning the 16th both was well bid them goodby Mat was also well & was detirmined to share the fate of William & Thomas Says they were all made prisoners shortly after he left which was about sun rise in the morning as he has since understood.

Feby 21 Went to Town, receved full satisfaction that whole of Gants Regt was made prisoners and there distination was Saint Louis John I Morris not one of the soldiers but a visitor at Fort Donalson was made prisoner with William & Thomas for 2 days & discharged come home today. gives a full account of the whole proceedings says the prisoners is well treated the negroes belonging to the prisoners were permitted to be sent home or to stay with there Masters & wait on them, where ever they went Greate excitement, the Govr proclamation was read calling out the Militia L J Polk appointed Brigadeer Genl to organize the Militia from this