Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-10

rivers, the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio
and Mississippi. The strategic impor.
tance OF this obscure command was but
little appreciated at the time, but Grant
saw IL, aud began to work out the fulfill.
ment Of Logan's angry threat that "the
men Of the Northwest would hew their
way with their swords down the Mississippi
to the Gulf" Yet nearly all but the ar
dent zeal and determined purpose Of these
improvised troops was lacking 10 the full
fillmsnt OF this threat. lnexperience aud
lack Of discipline were but two Of the
many difficulties In the way Of the achieve.
ment. Then, however, as atierward, Grant
appreciated at once the nature of the war,
aud did not let the grass grow under his
feet TO perfect his men in drill, or to teach
them the use of the spade. lie first
disturbs tho miscellaneous ''neutrality" OF
Kentucky by the seizure Of Paducah, com
manding the navigation Of the Ohio and
Of the Tennessee. lie simply notifies Gen.
Fremont, his immediate superior at ST.
Louis, that he IL going to move, SHOULD
no telegram arrive preventing the move.
ment." Then, us aiterward, he seems TO
make his own plans and staightway to ex.
ecute them, provided no superior officer
restrains him from moving Oh the enemy =
works, which he generally did. There is
something rather singular and suggestive
In this fact.
MIsuNDERsTooD BATTLE.
The only exception to this was occasion
cd by the criticisms made on his CORES.
pondenco with the Legislature Of Ken.
lucky, just after the seizure of Paducah.
Still he kept making suggestions Of active
operations. Early in November, 1861,
however. Grant was ordered to make de.
monstrations on tho west side Of the
Mississippi, from Columbus, to prevent the
movement Of rebel troops from the east
side to the help Of Price, then con onironting
Fremont in Missouri. Thus originated
the much misunderstood battle Of Bel.
mont, which fully answered its strategic
purpose Even there Grants qualities
were conspicuous. When informed that
his small force OF raw volunteers was
surrounded, he replied: "Well, II that il
NO, we must cut our way out as we cut our
way in." Again he said: ave have
whipped them once, aud l think we can
whip them again"
nALLEcK AND GRANT.
This battle was fought on the 9TH Of
November. On the 9th, Major General
llalleck superseded Fremont, and Grant
received new superior. Thp subsequent
relations between ihcso two officers, ~
narrated by Colonel Badeau, wero some
what peculiar aud have never before been
at onco clearly aud accurately stated
From tho time Of assuming command of
the Department Of tho West. until bis 70
moval to Washington ~ General In Chief
with the exception Of his brief and not
glorious held experience IN tho Cotnth
campaign-Ilalleck appears In tho attitude
OF q grand strategist, who assumes 10 di'
rect all tho operations within his vast
command, but does not inspire any single
forward movement. Ills orders to his
subordinate Generals leave on them the
responsibility Of failure, white he reserves
the chances Of participating IN the gloricu
OF sueceps. /, was 80 with Pope, In his
Island 10 campaign II was 20 with
Grant, In his movement up the Tennessee
aud Cumberland
FORTS HENRY AND poNELsoN
by order from Mcclellan, then General
In Chief llalleck directs Geueral Grant
10 make movement In Western Ken.
iucky TO diver, combinations against Buell.,
east Of the Cumberland. Thomas II thus
ensbled 10 win the yloiosy Of Mill Creek.
Ia its time u telling achievement. aud an
auspieious beginning Of u noble career
This accomplished, Grant telegrnphs 10
Halleck, for permission 10 take Fort
Henry, with the aid of the navy, whose
co operation he had for some time sought
aud ut length obtained Fort Henry Is
easily takun. but Fort Donelson Is not 20
seadily won, Promptly moving, however,
by land aud water, the place il Invested
aud the long and blooay fight begins.
Grants share in the honors Of the great
victory which followed has been much do.
cried, but upjustly, IL Colonel Badeau's
very clear account IL true, ms we must
suppose II TO be- Hero again we SEQ
Grants Characteristic coolness und good |
sense. lie finds tho hayersacks Of the
rebel prisoners packed with raiions for
three days, aud at once coneludes, con.
trary to tho general opinion, that "they
mean to cut their way out; they have no
idea Of staying here TO fight us, and then,
looking at his own disordered men, ex.
claims: "Whichever first attacks now
will whip, and the rebels will have to be
very quick, II they beat me" aud at once
ordered the general assault which decided
victory on the Union side, and broke the
frst great strategic line of the rebels.
SUGGESTIVE INCIDENT.
Some of the incidents preceding and
Just following this great victory are sug.
gestive. After the capture Of Fort Henry,
lnd before that Of Donelson, Halleck's
Instructions were Of an entirely defensive
character. "ilold on and siren gthen your
position," is the spirit Of Haleck's orders.
Picks and sbovels were sent, but not
needed for movement Ton the enemy's !
works" As TO the often reported story
hat the gallant General Q. Il. Smith made
The decisive charge on the works at Doncl-
ION without orders from Grant, il is en-
iirely exploded by the disclaimer Of Gen
IRA! smith himself, who replied, after the
battle, to General Buckner's congratula.
ions: "No congratulations are due mo.
simply obeyed orders" The Govern
nont seemed TO agree with General Smith,
or Halleck's request that Smith bo made
Major. General instead Of Grant, as re.
ward for the victorv waa diare0ar rded and