Defeat was no fault of theirs.

It belonged rather to the generals, among whom had been a want of understanding and concert, fatal on the field of action.

They saw, too, that they had lost more than the battle.

The Union army had not only regained all its lost positions, but on the right it had carried the Southern intrenchments, and from that point Grant's great guns could dominate Donelson.

They foresaw with dismay the effect of these facts upon their young troops.
When the night fell, and the battle ceased, save for the fitful boom of cannon along the lines, Dick sank against an earthwork, exhausted.