The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-11-02
afterward They conveyed the prisoners to
camp without an v trouhle

afterward They conveyed the prisoners to
camp without any trouble.
Then came another long period Of in
action. Camp life became irksomc to many
during that long winter of 1861 and 1862.
The field, the march, even at dead winter,
was preferable to lying IN the camp.
II want T. fight ur go home,n growled
Corporal Max, one day near the last of
January. 1862.
"Ye'll git plenty o. ilghtin' now, bet, fur
seed Gincral Grant N Commodore Foote
a talkln' N layin' their heads .'gether, n
bet they git u move on 'em purity soon"
Arkansaw Tom was correct, for on the
1st day of January, 1862, Colonel Smart's
regiment received marching orders.
The seven gun-boats under Flag-ofiicer
Foote accompanied the advance led by Nc
Clcrnand, General Grant following,
by hockey, boys, we're gwine ter hev it
nowr' said Arkansaw Tom, as he marched
aboard the transport "Well smell pow
der fore we git back"
The soldiers were all in the best of
spirits, and cheered Justify as they went
aboard the steamers. Poor fellows, they
little dreamed how many of them were on a
campaign from which they would never re-
turn.
Luke's regiment, with several others,
was conveyed to a point few miles below
Forts Henry and Hcinzmau. Hero they dis
embarked in 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 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,
wendell their way along he wooded road.
'Why didn't the fool officers wait till
warm weather." growled Max, who, with
his knapsack and blanket, could scarce keep
up.
"'Cos yer got tired o. layin' IN camp
chuckled old Arkansaw Tom, who trudged
along at his side. I'VE wanted sonethin
T. do N guess ye've got it."
The men found travel so slavish and diff.
ficult that many of them began to throw
away lSnapsacks and blankets.
Don't throw them away" said Captain
Mason. "You will need them-kcop them. y
"Need 'em, thunderg" growled Max
staggering along in the mud, the perspira
ton streaming from his face; 1--WE don't
need any thing Z keep us warm on this
blasted march. I've a mind T. throw my
cloak away"
BETTER change yer mind" said Tom
xl,nk ~
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
the 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 IA heavy gloom settled
! over the forest
They went into camp at dusk. A fine
cold rain set in, and tho men began to sore
| ly need the blankets they had thrown away
"What in thunder IN | goin' t do!
growled Max; there's no place dry huff tc
lay on IN no blanket fur kiver."
shouldn't ha7 throwed It away" said
Arkansaw Tom, who had been wise enough
to carry his. Goose We didn't need It on
tn march, but tn mint We stop We git cold
all over, then yer want it mighty badn
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 encmy's scouts were on the watch
for them.
They marched all day and the next, and
when evening had come Luke was informed
that Fort Donelson was near Here, in q
ravine, almost within sight the fort, our
friends encamped for the night. 1t showed
before morning, and many of the soldiers
had their feet frosted
1t was dark when Colonel Smarts regi
ment went into camp, and Captain Mason
saw nothing, save few distant camp fires
to indicate the nearness of an enemy. He
woke at early dawn, and gong up to the top
of the hill, found himself IN full view of the
great frownlng guns of the fort
While he still stood gazing on the works
of the enemy, some one said:
"Look down the riverl"
Turning his eyes toward the river which
was in full view, 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 IN earnest
/