Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-18
evidence that they supposed they had gained

evidence that they supposed they had gained . victory.
 Captain Mason was still watching the dis ablcd boats when the Adjutant came gal loping by and told him to form his men.
 "Fall in" cried Captain Mason.
 "Oh, thunderl moro mud tramping," growled Corporal Max.
 Tho regiment was soon in line, and head ed by tho iron-gray- haired Colonel, who went on foot leading his horse, they moved of to the right until they came to McCler- nand's division, which they had been or dered to support
 Two or three regiments joined the divis- ion, and all prepared to pass the night mis- erably enough.
 The sun went down on the night of the 14th of February, 1862, leaving the army confronting Fort Donelson in any thing but comfortable condition. The weather had turned intensely cold; the men were with out tents and could not keep fires.
 An occasional firing had been kept up all along the line of works, and Berges' sharp shooters had during the day kept line of batteries silent.
 Tho ground frozo hard that night, and the soldiers, without fire or blankets, suf fered severely. Not being able to lie upon the ground, most preferred standing or stamp ing or dancing to keep their feet from freez- ing.
 ''Can't you sleep, corporala'' asked Cap- tain Mason, who, with his overcoat buttoned up to his chin, still shivered.
 Sleep! mo-" growled Max, his teeth chat tering. "I'm freezin'''
 "Better ha' kept yer blanketr' said Ar kansaw Tom, who, with his blanket wrapped about him, sat at the root of Q tree.
 "Shet up, ye old salamander," growled hox v>ffy lyn Ev~.,2
 Its against orders."
 "What n thunder d' they issue such or ders furs"
 '' A fire would make us an excellent mark for the rebel gunners."
 "rd about as soon be shot as to be freez- in to death here," growled Max.
 Night set in bleak and cheerless. The shrill north wind whistled through the de- nuded branches of the trees, and the shiv- ering soldiers bent their wretched bodies nearer to the earth. At midnight it was showing and soon carpet of white was spread over the earth. Tho wretched men, shivering and crouching before the blast, scarce could move to shake off the flakes that were covering them like a mantle of white
 "Cap, don't ye hear some one comin'!" old Arkansaw Tom asked.
 Luke listened, and could hear the faint tread of footsteps coming over the frozen ground. He immediately dispatched his or derly to the Colonel, asking permission to capture the bold adventurers, who had evi- dently como out to reconnoiter.
 Without consulting any higher authority, Colonel Smart told him to ''go ahead"
 ATom, Max, Ned, Bill," sad the Captain, knew could be trusted. Silent as shadows they rose to their feet. glided to his side. and the.ive stole out upon the cleared space between them and the fort. It was now so dark that no object could be seen dozen paces away. Tho shrill north wind seemed to pierce them to the bone.
 Suddenly they stopped. Whispers were heard ahead The snow was falling fast, and the scouts crept through it near enough to discover half dozen men, evi- dently Confederate officers, grouped to- gether engaged ill conversation.
 Luke determined to cut them of and make captives of them, but, while moving ill be. tween them and the fort, the unlucky Max stumbled and fell, making as much noise as if an OK had dropped from the moon. Three of the rebels fired at them and took to their heels.
 "Come quick, we've no time to lose, if we want to take them," whispered Captain Ma son, running at full speed, hoping to cut them oil.
 Max and Snow blazed away, but missed. Cotton and Tom then fired their muskets, and a man fell. The frozen ground was rough Sind stumpy. Luke, being swift of foot, distanced his companions and was gaining on the hindmost man, who flew for life toward the fort.
 Suddenly the pursued, without checkin 2 his speed, drew a revolver and emptied half dozen chambers in almost as many sec onds at Luke. Though the bullets flew un- comfortably near the young officers head, he was unharmed, and with drawn sword did not halt for q sin gle moment. The fugi- tive had partially turned his head when he fired, and did not see the stump before him until he had stumbled and fallen over it.
 Before he could rise Luke was upon him with uplifted sword.
 'Surrender!' he cried, in voice hoarse with passion. The answer came from the ground in voice firm and defiant:
 "Never to Yankee. Strike if you will"
 At sound of the voice Lukes arm fell powerless at his side, and he turned away. All his hearts tenderest feelings had been reused by the sound of that voice.
 ''They have escaped us,'' he said to his companions whom he met coming toward him. ''Get back to your ranks, for we are too close now."
 On their way back they picked up the man that had fallen, who proved to be a rebel Lieutenant. The ball had pierced his heart, killing him instantly.
 Luke said nothinesabout his adventure with the Confederate who had emptied his revolver at him. The remainder of the night was quietly but miserably passed. At day break the en tire line of shivering, qualzing, half frozen soldiers were reused by the cry
 "Here they come!'
 "Yes, by jiminy, thar they come, bag and baggager said Arkansaw Tom, seizing his gun and starting to his feet.
 Luke, who had been sitting at the root of a tree in 8 slight doze, was up in moment. A long line of grey coats could be seen coming over the enemy's works, forming and advancing upon them Tho rebels had on their haversacks, canteens, blankets and knapsacks, as if they were going on a march.
 ''They've come ter stay, n brought gruh