Nebraska advertiser., 1862-03-06
[Army Corr spOndence Nebraska Advertiser.l
From the Nebraska First, After
the Battle.
FoRT HENRY, TENSEssEE, }
February Goth, 1852. !

February 10th, 1862.
NY last was written on board steamer
aWhrte Cloud, . and mailed at Paducah,
Kentucky, February 18th. On the af-
t~ernoon of that day, as fine q sight as
ever was seen was beheld on the river
Ohio. Five gun boats, and eleven steam
ers laden with troops and instruments of
war, moved up the river in grand array.
Soldiers on shore burrahed. and troops on
steamers cheered. Handkerchief by la
dies were waved, and hats and caps by
soldiers swung. The sun declined in the
west, and over all a halo If glory flung.
1t seemed as if Nature in that hour ap-
proved the Union demonstration, and
smiled upon the Cumberland River Ex-
petition, under command of Col. Thayer
of the Nebraska First. The soldiers
spirits were elevated, and doubtless, ten
thousand hearts beat faster than vas
their usual wont for the battle hour
drew near, and glory beckoned in the
van. Fame, in the distance, turned him
round ,sgaze with wondering eyes upon
the glorious scene, and the Nebraska
boys were eager to go forward and seize
hold of his garments And they did 60
forward, surrounded him, and fully sus-
tanned their reputation.
BY 10 O'clock, P. NJ, we touched at
Smilhland, KY, when we were again
hailed by the firing of Union cannon
We soon were gliding up the the Cum
berland river, and as the bright moon
shimmered down her mild and beautiful
light, we passed many a beautiful land
scape, which with the steamers on the
stream, with many a throng on upper
decks, and clouds of smoke and steam
resting against the sky, formed a scene
so, interesting that an enthusiastic pain
ter would have hailed il with extreme de-
light. Whoever writes the history of
this rebellion, viii find many a grand
subject for a splendid theme, and may
write a book that will transcend the most
absorbing novel ever written.
Without pausing to recount the many
incidents of the boat-ride, or the exuber-
anee of the spirits of our officers and
men during the trip, viii draw near the
more thrilling interests Of the day of bat
tie, and pen the valor of our boys during
the attack.
On Friday, February 18th, long ere
the day dawned, the feet landed about
three miles below Fort Donelson; and
before the sun rose, most of the troops
were on shore surrounding many a fire,
for the morning was cold, snow having
fallen during The night. Although we
are ina pcrtioa ofahe warm and "sunny
South, . we feel the icy winds of the fro
zen North, which, mayhap; have followed
US down to the land of Dixie" to keep
US brave and fearless to meet the South
ern knights.
In the afternoon our Brigade, and our
Regiment in the van, took up the line of
march in a south-westerly direction to
gain a position west of the Fort and for
tiications, while the gun boats moved
up the river to attack the Fort itself.
About a quarter to 8, P. NJ. the can
nonading commenced slowly at first,
but gradually growing faster and more
terrific, until nights black mantle COW
cred all, and the gunners rested from
their arduous labors.
About sunset our Regiment gained a
position on high ground Immediately
southwest of the Fort, and a mile west
of the breast-works. We slept on our
arms that night; but slept soundly-
needing not the fall of snow which threw
over us a white covering. The pickets
of the two armies were firing at each
other all the night; yet our boys needed
them not, for they slept IS. soundly as
though they had been ten thousand miles.
distant from wars dread tumult.
Early Saturday morning the battle re-
commenced. Cannons in front and on
our left beIched forth their balls, and
shot, and she'll, and babe roaring defiance
to the enemy. Volley after .voiley of
musketry in front and on our FAR right
reverberated among the hills, and bullets
whistling through the branches of
the trees. Early in the morning our
Regiment was summoned into line of
but was not ordered forward I'M
I'll ten o'clock. In the meantime news
came that the 18th Illinoes was cut to
that the 9Th KY, (Union, had
fired upon our own men hat the Both
Illinois had fed without firing a shot;
that two of our field pieces had been
captured by the enemy, and that another
Regiment or two had been driven back.
Then the Nebraska lst was ordered for