He started without delay, taking, however, only his own gunboat, the Carondelet, towed by the steamer Alps.

Captain Walke arrived a few miles below Donelson on the 12th, a little after noon.

About the time the advance of troops reached a point within gunshot of the fort on the land side, he engaged the water batteries at long range.

On the 13th I informed him of my arrival the day before and of the establishment of most of our batteries, requesting him at the same time to attack again that day so that I might take advantage of any diversion.

The attack was made and many shots fell within the fort, creating some consternation, as we now know.