Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1889-10-09
CHAPTER VIII
FORT DONEIsOw.


On the 9TH of November. 1861. the Missis-
sippl river was low, so that the banks were
higher than the heads Of the men standing
ON the upper decks of the steamer From
cornheld, woods ana all along the shore
Confederate rliiemcn were blazing away at
the rctrcating boats. The rebels yerc back
some distance from the river. so their fire
was nigh and did but little harm. The
srnokc-stacks were thickly peppcred with
bullets, but oaly three men were wounded
after reaching the boats, TWO of whom were
soiaiers' and one member of Captain
Masons company
On reaching the boat, Blackhayk. the
negro wonder, had laid down his muskct
and resumed his place as fireman at one of
the great furnaces.
On reaching the deck General Grant, al
most completely worn out by excrtion and
the nervous strain, went to the caDtain's
room adjoining the pilot-house and threw
himself down on sofa.
Luke saw him 20 in. and also noticed n
body of rebel sharp-shooters running along
the bank.
General" nc said. looking i'm at the door
Il don't think you are as safe here as YOU
would be below. The rebels arc pursuing
US along the shore
Are not the gun boats replying TO them9-'
asked the General. springing TO lis feet and
going to the door where Captain Mason
stood At this moment there came a crash
and muskct bail entered the room, passed
through the head Of the sofa whore tho
chef had lain and lodged in the foot
General Grant cast glance at the couch
where be had been rcposing, and. taking
TIC young officers hand in his. with quiet
smile said
Captain. you have saved my life''
They went below. The gun boats, open
ing On the enemy, sent shells shrielinr and
exploding into the wood and cornfcId. They
were well out in the stream and some dis-
tance down. so they had 10 give but little
elevation 20 their guns 70 clear the banks Of
the river. Their position nearly enfladed
the enemy marching through the cornheld
Luke began 10 look about for the members
OF his company. He found Arkansayv Tom.
Ncd Cotton, Corporal Max aud Bill Snow
near the stern, firing as rapidly as they
could 90 the heads Of the rebels who were
pocping over the river banks.
bod rot i'm bot spilled thatns pictur. {"
said Tom, rcloadug his gun "Ef they'd
oniya Jet ne brung my rife Id laid out
mDrc'n one on 'om."
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 &c. Captain Mason
l"d cause 10 be proud Of tho work be had
done toward establishing the right Of that
grand old flag 20 wave al over the Unifed
states Of America.
Every man boz that conflict. small and In.
siR ihcant as DO was compared 10 the strug-
gies which followed. gained confidence I'M
himself aud that quiet. stern commander.
WHO was destined 10 lead The armies Of the
Na'on 10 final victory.
Tho boats returned 20 Cairo. and a long
period OF inactivity followed A few DAYS
after his rctufn from The battlefield. Luke
received a letter from Lille Ncn They had
returned shortly after tho troops passed
~ their house, and learned that he had BY
Ore Ralantry s.tvcd 80. She stated that she
PRAYED daily that be and her brother MIGHT
be- spared, and that this cruel war might
some 30 an end Her letter concluded with
'Backhawls has disappeared from the
oeighborhood, and 10 - supposed THAT he
mas run away / do not understand that
strange negro. he has been au enigma To
we ever since ] was a child when but a
little girl J always shuddered when his vel
loWsh black ewes met mine. and then
Thought him boz leIg,e with the Evil One.
and, oni Luke, / fer Dc hates you. If YOU
should ever meet bin, beware OF him.
brother wrote ne ~ your saving his life.
bhl rtn DOT tlauy yea 20 much SHOULD