Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-10-17


BY THEIR BRoTHEa, 0. SIDNEY STEWART.
On the 10th OF February, 1862
was seen "a boat gliding with al.
most Incredible speed down the
Cumberland river. The Federals
had attacked Ft. DOnelson, and
reinforcements were needed as
soon as possible. 1t was crowded
toaits utmost capacity with Con-
federate soldiers, who but a few
weeks previous had lett their pa
rental roof or devoted families for
the first time in life to defend
Southern rights. The kind advice,
the last request, and the "GOd
bless you" which they received
rom devoted parents, held the
first place in all noble hearts.
The weeping of those loved ones
they had LETT behind had scarcely
ceased TO sound in their ears. The
scene at the parting hour was as
fresh 10 their memory as on the
day they left tie, haunts Of their
childhood. They bad always con.
sidered war to belong to otLer
days, and to foreign nations; but
now it had become q sad reality.
Were it not for The various dispo-
sitions Of men, it would have been
surprising TO see the different ex-
preston of their countenances as
they drew nearer and nearer their
destination. Some seemed TO be
jovial and were exchanging witty
-
remarks spontaneously, while 9th.
ers would look on rather reprov
ingly in silence.
On the PROV of the boat, two
young men were seen q little u
bove those Ground them in stature
They stood close to the railing,
arm in arm, gazing vacantly on
the various objects As they quickly
appeared and disappeared. They
were brothers. The tears and ca
resses, the hopes and desires Of
their dear mother, who had fon
died and petted them since they
could remember, were no doubt
passing as panorama before their
minds. The report of the cannon
could be heard distinctly in the
distance. The. continuous roar
grew louder and louder as they
neared the fort; but the young
men seemed to heed it not, till q
shell bursted high in the air before
them,1 "What was that" ex-
claimed Jim Stewart to his broth
er Jesse as be pointed in the di
rection of the explosion, while
both bent forward over the railing.
At the same moment a bend In
he river brought the boat in
range with the enemy..s cannon.
The balls ploughed up the rolling
waves about the boat while shells
exploded III the air, but Fortunate
ly it was not struck. Having
landed near the fort, its cargo OF
men was d ,uble quicked up the
river bank, while the balls of the
eremy sbowered down like bail.
The inexperienced yankees shot
over their marx, pealing the bark
off the trees above their heads.
In consequence of which but few
lives were lost in the charge.
The battle had been in prpgress
five days; supplies were cut off
and the garrison could get moth
ing to eat except what they cap
tured from the enemy. The
weather was extremely cold, and
the difference between peace and
war was beginning to be iully.re-
allied. The extremity to which
they were reduced, required an
extra exertion. On the evening
of the 14th of February the strug'
gle abated, and everything be
came comparatively quiet. The
enc ny not looking for an attack
made preparations for a good
nights rest. Taking advantage
of this, the Confederate forces
were rallied just before day on thu
following morning. and falling il
on the unsuspecting yankees drove
them back in confusion about fou
miles; many of them leaving thel
tents in their night clothes, anC
frightened half out Of their wits
The Cenfederates halted and re
turned over the same route to th
fort, which they reached Just il
time to oppose an attack which
was being made on the opposit
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