Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-06-27

The soldiers were all in the best Of
spirits, and cheered Justify 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.
Luke's regiment, with several others,
was conveyed to point a 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. The cannonad-
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 q day or two they remained in their
position, and then received orders to ad-
vance on Donelson. Through mud, rain
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' In camp"
chuckled old Arkansaw Tom, who trudged
along at his side. 'Ye wanted somcthin
t. do N l guess ye've got it."
The men found travel so slavish and diff.
ficult 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" :"
'sNeed 'em, thunderr growled Max,
staggering along in the mud, the perspira-
ton streaming from his face; 1--WE don't
need any thing t keep us warm on this
blasted march I've a mind T. throw my
cloak away"
Better change yer mind" 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 heavy gloom settled
over the forest.
They went into camp at dusk. fine
cold rain set in, and the men began to sore
" need the blankets they had thrown away.
"What in thunder IN l goin' t dog"
growled Max; "there's no place dry nuh to
lay on n no blanket fur kiver."
Shouldn't ha' throwed It away" said
Arkansaw Tom, who had been wise enough
to carry his. ''Co'se We didn't need It on
th' march, but tn mint ye stop ye git cold
all over, then yer want it mighty bad.'
Bivouacked in mud and rain, the army was
miserable enough. The sick and wounded
were left at the houses they passed. A few
shots on their advance next morning told
that the enemy'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 encamped for the night. 1t showed
before morning, and many of the soldiers
had their feet frosted.
1t was dark when Colonel Smart's regi-
ment went into camp, and Captain Mason
saw nothing, save q few distant camp Hres,
to Indicate the nearness of an enemy. He
woke at early dawn, and going up to the top
of the hull, found himself in full view of the
great frowning guns of the fort.
While he still stood gazing on the works
of the enemy, some one said:
"Look down the river!"
Turning his eyes toward the river, which
was in full vlew, he saw the Commodore's
towards the fort. The st. Louis, Louisville
and Pittsburg were iron-clads, and the gun
boats Tyler and Conestoga were of wood.
Captain Mason expected the conflict to
commence at once, but in this he was mis-
taken, for after the exchange of dozen
shots the boats fell back, and it was three
o'clock in the afternoon before the Commo-
dore began the battle IN earnest.