The tiller-ropes of another vessel were carried away and she, too, dropped helplessly back.

Two others had their pilot-houses so injured that they scarcely formed a protection to the men at the wheel.
The enemy had evidently been much demoralized by the assault, but they were jubilant when they saw the disabled vessels dropping down the river entirely out of the control of the men on board.

Of course I only witnessed the falling back of our gunboats and felt sad enough at the time over the repulse.

Subsequent reports, now published, show that the enemy telegraphed a great victory to Richmond.

The sun went down on the night of the 14th of February, 1862, leaving the army confronting Fort Donelson anything but comforted over the prospects.