The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-26
THE CAMP FIRE.
GRANT AND THE GHOST OF PORT DON
ELS0y.
Fort Doneison's Ghost - SIR. lincoln and
the Swearing Boys-rhe Charge nc
Jackson Biographical.



just beyond the Tennessee; the gun
boats were hurrying up the swollen
river, while the SHOWS and rains OF Feb
ruary turned 20 ice; and the first day OF
the terrible battle ut Fort Donelson the
sudden change OF weather brought to
the soldiers agonies OF cold and suffer
ing.
The fight lasted three long days
Shot and shell were poured into the
Tennessee River. the gunboats driven
back with heavy losses, but Grants
fearless men kept up the siege until the
fort surrendered. After the victory the
whole North was exultant. The bells
rang joyfnlly, and cannon shook the
New England cities snd towns: but,
frozen and dying, hundreds lay on the
red snow OF the battlefield.
Mother Bickerdyke, the famous
Union nurse, had followed her "boys"
southwark, had blessed them as they
went out IN the morning TO battle, made
them barrels of good Government cof-
foe, and as well as possible, without
houses or hospitals, prepared for their
return. This was her first sight OF the
battlefield, and she told me that none
afterward so overcame her.
After the wounded had been cared
for with all the small comforts she had,
and the exhausted officers had fallen
asleep, somebody noticed bright light
moving quickly over the dark. deserted
field. where the dead were still lying,
awaiting burial when IL should be light.
One officer after another looked out,
and word passed down the line, "Go aud
see what il IS" General Grant HIM
self, wrapped in his blanket, stood out
side his tent, while his Orderly followed
the ghost across the snow, and the ter
rii'ed men huddled close together over
the camptres, whispering that "the
spirits were walking about Nobody
spoke aloud. The butter wind whistled
across the broken fences. and through
the icy rafting branches of trees, as
the Orderly returned.
"Well, I" said lac 60 the General. cit is
only Mother Bckerdyke, sir, with her
big lantern: here She comes"
Gen. Grant touched her on the shout
der as she came mp and asked IN low
voice. lis anything wrong. mother:
''Oh. no" She replied; "but YOU see,
General, after got -he poor follows
bound up, and full OF warm broth and
coffee. couldn't. some way, feel salts
fled till was sure, by my cwn eyeSlght
that nobody was living out there IN the
cold and dark, alone aud alive. this aw
ful night so I've just looked EN- al
over and made sure hut they are dead
quite dead, poor boys"
She swung her lantern bravelv along
toward her row OF tents, while Gen
Grant, worn and haggard. wrapped hl'
blanket about him. and said 20 stat
officer close bv: $50 that's the ghost
wish the country was full of just such.
Iincofn aud Tho ssSwearfux Uoys.f
A good old man IN Virginia who's,
home was near the army OF the Poto
mac where for SO long call was quiet,
came 60 Washington TO see Dir. Lincoln
Secretary Stanton met him at tile Office
door aud strongly protested; but th'
kind hearted, tired President said, "H
is an old man, | will see him.
Hat ia hand. the old Virginan stoo'
before Mr.. Lincoln with the dignity o
Chief Justice:
.'Mr. President, your boys o"e
there" pointing 10 the Potomac), I'd
swear most terrible, | don't mind TIN
stealth. nor the cuttin' things 90 pieces
IL they wouldn't hang around tho plac
and call on God Almighty so ilippant!
We'll" said Mr.. Lincoln, cant yol
talk 10 them yourself or speak TO Col
onel B. about them Let see
lie SHOOK ino oiu lluu hihN hh
added, I'm going over there tomorrow
we II see what can he done.
Next daV the Secretary with Mr.. Iir
coin aud Ted drove through the cam
across the river They met Chaplai
Grey. VINO was stationed near Fairfa>
and whose duties lay in Colonel B.
regiment. :.
well. Mr.. Grey. what success di
YOU have with the Colonel after m
suggestions TO you month agog Nor
complaints have reached me OF u
Younger boys and their outrageous pr,
fanity.n said the President.
"What can man do Mr. Lincoln,
replied the Chaplain, when Colonel'
Generals and Brigadier-Generils swef
worse than the boyss / called on Co
onel B., approaching, as / felt, Il
subject wisely. l said 10 him, 'Yo
have fine regiment, Colonel, one {
the finest In the whole army, we hear
yes, Chaplain he replied, n --- fiji
regiment. Excuse me, Chaplain, pra
ba seated. II went on without noticir
the extra words: Colonel, do you pa
close attention 20 the religious conditiC
and instruction OF your mem Wei
YES, / think so, but they are - wi
lot -, and greatly given
profanityr 1T seems terrible, Colone
/ went on, to wee young boys SO give
10 oathsl just across the river fro
YOU there has been "A series OF meetin
held in Colonel Davis's regiment al
twenty Young soldiers have beel ba
tized. The greatest interest prevails
the entire sectionr Twenty. did W
saw asked Colonel B., Il had
idea such thing was going onl -