The Springdale news., 1889-06-07

necessary to hold, and General Grant, fearr- | ing that Oglesby was threatened by force Of rebels from Columbus, determined to make move which would detract them from Oglesby.
 For month Colonel Smart's regiment had been lying inactive at Cairo, and, with
 many of tho others, Luko was growing i'm | patient
 | On tho morning of tho 9th 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 Coloners 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 go aboard l the boats tonight Where are we goinl" one of the officers asked.
 70, that's secret with Grant and Nc Clernand," and yet with knowing wink | he added: I'll bet 1 know where we're
 bound; get your men in readiness with
 three days rauons an forty rounds, an
 we'll see.''
 Ihough 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 Lillie, informing her of the dangerous expedition on which they were
 about to engage, hoping he would come out
 sale; II he dla not he had the glorious con solation of dying for his country Tho troOr,a xvpra | evening, and the transports with their decks and yards fenced in with logs brought m close to shore. The soldiers were mus tered to quarters an hour after dark, and marched down to tho river. The gang | blanks were thrown out, and they went aboard. Lukc's regiment took quarters on
 the upper deck, whero 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 and officers had the most implicit confidence in them. One delay followed another until it was | near midnight before the transports finally | pushed off and steamed down the river | The coolncss of the men made some of the | officers ashamed of their nervous uneasi- l ness.
 | The great black smoke issued from the | tall smoke-stacks, the engines puffcd, 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.
 As Luke gazedupon those gallant men he | began to wonder how many of them would return from the expedition Some were | eating, some telling stories, and ArHansaW Tom was lying upon the deck buried in
 sound slunbcr' as if he wvs at his home or
 'How can he sleep-when tomorrow he
 may die!" Luke asked himself The young | Captain walked off and gazed for ;r few mo-
 ments on the receding lights of Cairo then 1 he descended to the boiler deck, where he
 was walking about, when some one touched l his sh )ulder. He turned, and, by the light | W t'.2 great furnace, discerned the ebony ] fIcc of the colored fireman
 Don't ye know me, massa!" he asked What! Blackhawka What arc you doing
 here!'
 "Firin', massa."
 ] "When did you come'' "Two weeks ago.n "Did you run away from your master2" "Is tryin' ter save dis Union, massa Thought I'd do all l lun, an como down
 hcah fur job Sec you ebery day, nevah | fur away rum ye!n
 | Luke gazcd at the black for few mo- ments in stupefed beWilderment, and then 1 said:
 "Blackhawk, what is this wonderful mys-
 tery about you9 Why do you follow mea | Who arc you, any way!"
 "Ye'll know all bout it, mebbe, some day,
 massa; but I can't told ye now, massa," "
 and Blackhawl began shoveling coal into
 the great furnace. l Luke returned to where his men were
 quartered lost In wonder and mystery,
 while the vessels sped down the river, con | veylng those bravo men to Belmont, car
 mage and death,