The Springdale news., 1889-06-14

The soldiers were all in the best of spirits, and cheered lustily as they went | aboard the steamers. Poor fellows, they little dreamed how many of them were on a campaign from which they would never re- turn.
 Lnke's regiment, with several others, was conveyed to point few miles below Forts Henry and Heinzman. Here they dis embarked in muddy forest, and the men being without tents, and it being dead win ter they suffered severely. Tho caunonad- ing at Fort Henry could be distinctly heard, and the wild cheers that went up on the air when the fort was taken reached their ears.
 For day or two they remained in their position, and then received orders to ad- and snow the long columns of infantry, fol- lowed by baggage trains and artillery, wended their way along the wooded road
 Why didn't the fool officers wait till warm weather" growled Max, who with his knapsack and blanket, could scarce keep up.
 "'Cos yer got tired O layin' Ill camp" :" chuckled old Arkansaw Tom, who trpdged along at his side ''Ye wanted sOm-thin' t do n l guess ye've got it
 The men found travel so slavish and diff fcult that many of them began to throw away knapsacks and blankets.
 Don't throw them away" said Captain Mason. "You will need them-keep them. n
 "Need lem, thunderl'' growIed Max, staggering along in the mud, the perspira- ton streaming from his face; .swe don t need any thing ' keep us warm on this blasted march. Ivo q mind [ throw my cloak away.n
 "Better change yer mind, v said Tom. Luke assured them that when they camped they would need their blankets, but many became so exhausted that they threw them aside notwithstanding his assurances. Evening came on. Luke gazed back on the long line of men trudging silent and gloomy through the mud, and noted how poorly they were prepared for the storm with which they were threatened The sky became overcast and q heavy gloom settled over the forest.
 They went into camp at dusk 4 fine cold rain set in, and tue men began to sore ly need the blankets they had thrown away.
 What in thunder m 1 gein' t dol'' growled Max "there's no place dry huff to lay on n no blanket fur kiver."
 Shouldn't ha' throwed t away.' said Arkansaw Tom, who had been wise enough to carry his 'Co'se ye didn't need t on tn march, but tn minit ye stop yc git cold all over, then yer want it mighty bad. BivouacKcd in mud and rain the army was miserable enough. The sick and wounded were left at the houses they passed few shots on their advance next morning told that the encmy's scouts were on the watch for them,
 They marched all day and the next, and when evening had come Luke was informed that Fort Donelson was near Here, in a ravine almost within sight of the fort, our friends eneamped for the night. It showed before mernmg and many of the soldiers had their feet frosted.
 It was dark when Colonel Smart's regi- ment went into camp, and Captain Mason saw nothing, save u few distant camp fires, to indicate the nearness of an enemy. He woke at early dawn, and gong up to the top of the hlll, found himself III full view of the great frownlng guns of the fort
 While he still stood gazing on the works of the enemy, some one said:
 "I4ook down the river!9
 Turning his eyes toward the river, which was in full view, he saw the Commodoreis little fleet of five guns-boats steaming towards the fort The St. Louis. Louisville and Pittsbarg were iron -clads, and the gun boats Tyler and Conestoga were of wood.
 Captain Mason expected the conflict ta commence al once, but in this he Was mls= taken, for after the exchange of dozen shots the boats fell back and it was three dore began the battle Tn earnest.