The Irish standard., 1889-05-04

Breakfast was prepared under many
difficulties and quickly dispatched, aud the
soldiers, loading themselves with pro-
visions, bade their unwilling hostess fare
well. She, wishing them in lower and hotter
regions, slammed the door after them.
Next day Caico was reached. Here they
found General y. S. Grant with q CONSIDER
able force. They drew arms and uniforms,
producing wonderful change, AS they be-
gan 10 look like soldiers.
The officers received their commissions,
and the men were immediately put Under
military training g aid discipline.
Though the men were tired enough VIXEN
they reached Cairo, q few days OF camp life
made 1t irlzsome to them, and they were
anxious to he upon the march again. At
Columbus and Belmont the enemy were
strongly posted to prevent the passage Of
Union forces down the Mississippi
'I don'4 see why in thundsr hay don't GO
down IN take Columbus," ssA. Corporal
Max, whose propensity to grumble eeerned
10 increase,
awe hairt ready yit," Arlsansaw Tom
answered
sHaint ready. ar WI, gwine It wait till
doonlsday fore Ws git ready"
Arkansaw Ton was lying on the shady
SNAS VA k!1AC vi A]S AAAAAsIo AAA'AsE5 "a
{illow, while lae gazad up at the sky.
''We'ye got ter git noo' men, an he7 'om
better drilled
'.Mo' men, jimmy" cried Corporal
Max, s'7yh by we've got Ino' mar ROW r we've
got tents fur"
s'They aim nuff e. take tho1n towns; be-
ptdes, we're 1.a. Arlned.n
S:Orilled, WY, 10 help me- how 1nuch more
arillin' dye want I've wore OUT my legs
macchin', an my hands, arms an shoulders
handlin' that blasted old gum"
~ 17ush ter goodness they'd F. let me {,
kept my rihe,'' said Arkansaw Tom. II lin
knock out center every 3ime with it. but
with this blamed old musket it'$a much as a
bargain t. hit the side q q barn TWO hundred
yards"
General u. s. Grant had. superseded
General Benjamin s. Prent,ss at Cairo, and
was waiting for sufficient force to strike
some decisive blow at the enemy.
Colonel Richard Oglesby was Still in Mis-
souri, guarding point which it was thought
necessary to hold, aud General Grant, learn
ing that Oglesby WAS threatened by force
Of rebels from Columbus, determined to
make a move which would detraot them
from Oglesby.
For a month Colonel Smart's regiment
had been lying inactive st Cairo and, with
many Of the others, Luke was growing i1n~
patient.
On the morning Of the 6th Of November,
1861, he had taken his company as usual out
for drilling, and they were returning to
quarters when the adjutant told him to re.
port at the Colonel's headquarters. He
found most of the commissioned officers of
the regiment in the Colonel's tent.
"We've got marchin' orders at last
said Colonel Smart, his face glowing with
excitement. "Be in readiness to 20 aboard
the boats Tonight"
"vvhere are we goin'!'' one Of the officers
asked.
SO, that's secret with Grant and Nc
Clernand,' and yet with a knowing wink
he added: "I'll bet know where we're
bound get yoEr men in readiness with
three days' rations an forty rounds, an
We'll see"
Though no positive information had es-
capped from headquarters by which they
could possibly determine the intent Of the
commanding officers, yet it was understood
that the expedition was either upon Bel
mont or Columbus.
Going to his tent Luke hastily penned a
few lines to Lille, informing her Of the
dangerous expedition on which they were
about to engage, hoping he would come out
safe; if he did not he had the glorious con-
ISOLATION of dying for his country.
The troops were gotten in readiness that
evening, and the transports with their
decks and yards fenced in with logs brought
in close to shore. The soldiers were mus
tered to quarters an hour after dark, and
marched down to the river. Tho gang
thrown out, and they went
aboard. Luke's regiment took quarters on
the upper deck, where the men stacked
arms and sat down.
The night was dark and foggy, but they
had experienced pilots who knew every
foot of the river, and men aud officers had
the most implicit confidence III them.
One delay followed another until it was
near midnight before the transports finally
pushed of and steamed down the river.
The coolness Of the men made some of the !
officers ashamed of their nervous uneasi-
ness.
The great black smoke issued from the
tall smoke stacks, the engines pnfed, and |
the ponderous paddles were set in motion. !
Ere long the transports were in the middle
of the stream, speeding down the great |
dark river.