Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-18
.zecrward. They conveyed the prisoners se

x1eerward. They conveyed the prisoners te camp without any trouble.
 Then came another long period of in action. Camp life became irksome to many during that long winter of 1881 and 1Se0 The field, the march, even at dead winter, was preferable to lying in the camp.
 "I want t fight UT go home," growled Corporal Max, ono day near the last of January, 1862.
 '.Ye'll git plenty O fightin' now, bet, fur Iseed Gineral Grant n Commodore Foote a talkin' n layin' their heads t'gether, n l bet they git Q move on lem purity soon."
 Arkansaw Tom was correct, for on the list day of January, 1862, Colonel Smart's regiment received marching orders.
 The seven gun-boats under Flag-officer Foote accompanied the advance led by Mo Clernand, General Grant following.
 By hokey, boys, we're gwine ter hev it noww said Arkansaw Tom, as he marched aboard the transport "We'u smell pow der fore we git back"
 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 Q campaign from which they would never re- turn.
 Luke's regiment, with several others, was conveyed to point few miles below Forts Henry and Heinzman. Here they dis embarked in a 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 a 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" growIed Max, who, with his knapsack and blanket, could scarce keep up.
 "'Cos yer got tired O layin' Tn camp,'' chuckled old Arkansaw Tom, who trudged along at his side. "Ye wanted somethin' t do n guess ye've got it"
 The nen 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
 'Need lem, thunderr' growled Max, staggering along in the mud, tho perspira- tion streaming from his face; two don't need any thing t keep us warm on this blasted mnrcn i've mlnO ' CnroW 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 tho 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 a heavy gloom settled over the forest
 They went into camp at dusk. A fine cold rain set in, and the men be gan to sore. ly need the blankets they had thrown away. growled Max; "there's no place dry huff to lay on n no blanket fur kiver."
 Shouldn't hal 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 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
 
 that Fort Donclson was near. Here, in a ravine, almost within sight of the fort, our friends encamped for the night. It showed before morning, 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 a fewdistant camp fires, to indicate the nearness of an enemy. He woke at early dawn, and going up to the top of tho hill, found himself in full view of the great drowning guns of the fort.
 W While he still stood gazing on the works of the enemy, some one said:
 Hook down the river!"
 Turning his eyes toward the river, which was in full vlew, he saw the Commodore's little fleet of five guns-boats steaming 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 ID earnest. !. CHAPTER TX.
 THE SURRENDER.
 "Now, boys, watch; suthin's gwine ter happenP It was Arkansaw Tom who spoke to his companions lying at his side.
 Captain Mason again turned his attention to the river, and saw the entire fleet under way to the fort as if it intended to run the blockade.
 Booml boom! boom! rang out the heavy cannon, making the air and earth
 .-SM