Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-08-15
CHAPTER VIII.
FORT nOSEIS SON

On the 7th of November, 1861, the Missis-
slppi river was low, so that the banks were
higher than the heads of the men standing
on the upper decks of the steamer. From
cornfield, woods and all along the shore
Confederate rlfiemen were blazing away ut
the retreating boats. The rebels were back
some distance from the river, so their fire
was high and did but little harm. The
smoke-stacks were thickly peppered with
bullets, but only three men were wounded
after reachin the boats, two of whom were
soldiers, and one q member of Captain
Mason's company.
On reaching the boat, Blackhawk, the
negro wonder, had laid down his musket
and resumed his place as fireman at one OF
the great furnaces.
On reaching the deck General Grant, al
most completely worn out by exertion and
the nervous strain, went to the captain s
room adjoining the pilot-house and threw
himself down on sofa.
Luke saw him go in, and also noticed a
body of rebel sharp-shooters running along
the bank.
General he said looking in at the door,
81 don't think you are as safe here as you
would be below. The rebels are pursuing
US along the shore"
''Are not the gun-boats replying to them?''
asked the General, springing to his feet and
going to the door where Captain Mason
stood. At this moment there came a crash
and musket ball entered the room, passed
through the head of the sofa where the
chief had lain and lodged in the foot.
General Grant cast glance at the couch
where he had been reposing, and, taking
the young officers hand in his, with quiet
smile, said:
Captain. you have saved my hfe''
They went below. The gun-bOats, open
ing on the enemy, sent shells shrieking and
exploding into the wood and cornfield. They
were well out in the stream and some dis
lance down, so they had to give but little
elevation to their guns to clear the banks of
the river. Their position nearly entiladed
the enemy marching through the cornfield.
Luke began to look about for the members
OF his company. He found Arl6ansaw Tom,
Ned Cotton, Corporal Max and Bill Snow
near the stern, firing as rapidly as they
could at the heads of the rebels who were
peeping over the river banks.
"Dod rot 'im-bet spilled thatns pictur,"
said Tom, reloadisg his gun. EFF they'd
only a let me brung my rifle I'd laid out
more'n one on EN-"
The boats soon carried them beyond gun
shot, and sped peacefully on their way
10 Cairo, each now feeling that Belmont had
been great victory. and that he had contrib
uted his share toward it. Captain Mason
had cause to be proud of the work he had
done toward establishing the right of that
grand old flag to wave all over the United
States of America.
Every man in that conflict, small and in
significant as it was compared to the strug-
giles which followed, gained confidence in
himself and that quiet, stern commander,
who was destined to lead the armies of the
Nation to final victory.
The boats returned to Cairo, and a long
period of inactivity followed. A few days
after his return from the battlefield, Luke
received a letter from Lille Neff. They had
returned shortly after the troops passed
by their house, and learned that he had by
his gallantry saved it. She stated that she
prayed daily that he and her brother might
be spared. and that this cruel war might
come to an end. Her letter concluded with
"Blackhawk has disappeared from the
neighborhood, and it is supposed that he
has run away. I do not understand that
strange negro. He has been an enigma to
me ever since was q child. When but q
little girl always shuddered when his vel.
lowish black eyes met mine, and then
thought him in league with the Evil One,
and, OIL Luke, fear he hates you; if you
should ever meet him, beware Of him.
Brother wrote me Of your saving his life
OIL I can not thank you too much. Should