Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-21

fcers translated it from the language
military into the vernacular OF the
lower counties of Illinois, after this
fashion:
"Look alive there! you fellows
Turn your noses toward your right
shoulder. Tote your shooting irons.
Git, right smart p
DoNELSON.
There is thrilling news. Fort Don
elson is taken. Three days the bat
tie ragged, but the victory is won.-
Fifteen thousand prisoners, all the
cannon and arms of the rebels, are
taken. There are bonires and ring
ing of bells all over the land. Loyal
men. who have waited through the
weary months for cheering news, are
like little children now. They weep
aud laugh by turns; rush to each 9TH
er's arms, and dance like madmen in
their counting rooms or on the street.
1t is the first great victory of the war
the first dawn of hope.
| am in the cabin of the steamer
Uncle Sam, a privileged spectator,
when the articles Of capitulation are
signed. The leather seller from Ga
lena and the traitor Buckner of Ken
lucky sit at a table. The gentleman
who welcomed me so kindly few
days ago is at his ease in this hour of
triumph.
From yonder hill hear the shouts
of victory. Men are crazy with joy
Great have been their hardships.-
The widest storm Of winter has roar
ed through the forest, the binding
snow has fallen upon them, through the
long and dismal night. The mercury
has been below zero. Their comrades
have fallen in battle. Their walls of
agony have rent the air. Many hearts
have ceased to beat, but the fort is
captured. The stars and stripes are
waving over it. Calm, serene, peace
full, that no hostile shot but only by
the shoutngs of men who have won
the first great victory of the war.
ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
Island No. 10-Admiral Foote-
Fort Pillow-Memphis- Pittsburg
Landing -Corinth-pass in review
like the soldiers and sailors who
fought in those conflicts. They are
pictures of memory. Time has not
dimmed them. The monitors are in
play. | see the curving lines of light
as the shells rise in the air and stream
over forest, river and field, explod-
Ing, lighting all the landscape at mid
night, or bursting into handslul Of
clouds, raining jagged fragments of
iron upon the foe.
| hear the brave commander of the
feet of gunboatS-Admiral Foote-
saying, as he staads upon the deck Of
his flag ship
Il always feel an exhilaration oi
spirits VIXEN am going into battle. "
He, ZOO, has won his laurels, for
gallant deeds at Fort Henry and
Donelson, and since then a brighter
crown amoog the justified.
| trust that it will not be set down
as egotism il here make public the
faci that it was through the efforts OF
your correspondent that the rank ol
Admiral was secured to the then Cap,
tain Foote, ranking as Commodore
In the first appointment made by Mr.
Lincoln, Capt. Foote was passed over
He had served bis country faithfully
had seen service in China; had crea.
ted the fotilla on the Mississippi
He had captured Fort Henry, had
fought bravely at Donelson, and was
suffering from his wound. General
Grant had been made Maj. General
and all the country was rejoicing at
the success and its recognition.
Commodore Foote was keenly alive
to the seeming slight. In the wild
excitement over the victory at Donel
son the work accomplished by Com,
modore Foote was lost sight of. 1t
would be violating sacred trust were
| to write out the words spoken by
that gallant officer, now gone to his
reward. But a letter written by a
correspondent at Cairo to Massa-
chusetts Senator was handed over to
the Naval Committee, read aloud on
the floor of the senate by senator
Grimes of Iowa and without a dis.
senting voice the Commodore was
made an Admiral. The brave man
knew nothing of it till informed of
his election by telegraph. WheL he
knew how it all came about he wept
tears of joy and expressed his heart
felt thanks. The slight service thus
} rendered to him who, few months
later, went to his last reward-dying
in the service of his country-will ev.
er be one of the most pleasing of life's
, memories. CARLETON.