The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-19

SSSs-s T..
SHE SEIZED BROOM
his expense, and old Tom recovering his
plug, Just as a goose was running after it,
laughed himself at the Infatuated woman.
Breakfast was prepared under many
difficulties and quickly dispatched, and the
soldiers, loading themselves with pro-
,, visions, Ibade their unwilling hostess fare
well. She, wishing them in lowerand hotter
regions, slammed the door after them.
Next day Cairo was reached. Here they
found General q. S. Grant with arconsider
able force. They drew arms and,uniforms,
producingsa wonderful change, al they be-
gan to look like soldiers.
The officers received their commissions,
and the men were Immediately put under
military training and discipline.
Though the men were tired enough when
they reached Cairo, few days ofaamp life
made 1t irksome to them, and they were
anxious to he upon the march again. At
Columbus and Belmont the enemy were
strongly posted to prevent the passage Of
Union forces down the Mississippi.
~ DON'T see why in thunder they don't go
down IN take Columbus said Corporal
Max, whose propensity to grumble seemed
| to increase.
ave haint ready yit," Arlsansaw Tom
answered.
"Hant ready, ar we gwine It wait till
doomsday FORGIVE git ready"
Arkansaw Tom was lying on the shady
side of a pile OF logs, his hands forming a
pillow, while he gazed up at the sky.
We've got ter git mo- men, an hev em
better drilled"
mo men, Jimmy" cried Corporal
Max, 'why, we've got mo- men now IN we've
got tents fur"
"They amt huff t take them towns; be-
sides, we re not drilled"
"Drilled, WY, la help me, how much more
drlin' dye want I've wore out my legs a
marchin', an my hands, arms an shoulders
handlin' that blasted old gun"
''lwush ter goodness they'd let me O
kept my rife" said Arllansaw Tom. 81 kin
knock out center every time with it, but
with this blamed old musket it's much as Q
bargain t. hit the side o. a barn two hundred
yards"
General U. S. Grant had superseded
General Benjamin S. Prentss at Cairo, and
was waiting for sufficient force to strike
some decisive blowa the enemy.
Colonel Richard Oglesby was still in Mis-
souti guarding point which it was thought
necessary to hold, and General Grant, learn
ing that Oglesby was threatened by force
of rebels from Columbus, determined t.
make a move which would detract then
from Oglesby
For u month Colonel Smarts regimen,
had been lying inactive at Cairo, and, with
many ofrhe others, Luke was growing i'm
patient.
On the morning of the 9th tf November
1861, he had taken his company as usual Out
for drilling, and they were returning t.
quarters when the adiutaut told him to re
port mt The Colonels headquarters. He
found most OF the commissioned officers O.
thercgiment in the Colonel's tent.
We've got marchin orders at last, >
said C0lonel Smart, his face glowing will
excitement "Be in readiness to 80 aboard
the boats tonight"
"Where are we g0in'" one of the officer.
asked.
20, that's "A secret with Grant and Nc
Clernand-" and yet with knowing winl
he added: @Tll bet [ know where we're
bound; get your men in readiness with
three days rations an forty rounds, an
we'll see.n
Though no positive information had es
capped from headquarters by which the,
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 I
few lines to Lille. informing her of thu
dangerous expedition on which they wer,
about to engage, hoping he would come GU
safe: if he did not he had the glorious con
ISOLATION of dying for his country.
The troops were gotten in readiness tina
evening, and the transports with thei
decks and yards fenced in with logs brough
in close to shore. The soldiers were mus
tered to quarters an hour after dark, anC
marched down to the river. The gane
plankS were thrown out, aud they wen,
aboard. Lul1e's regiment took quarters or
the upper deck, where the men stacked
arms and sat down.
The night was dark and foggy, but the,
had experienced pilots who knew ever,
foot of the river. and men and officers hal
the most imphci: confidence in them.
One delay followed another unsl it wa.
near midnight before the transports finally
pushed off and steamed down the river
The GOODNESS of the men made some of tn,
officers ashamed OF their nervous uneasi
ness.
The great black smoke issued from tn,
tail smoke-stacks, the eugincs pulled, an,
the ponderous paddles were set in motion
Ere long the transports were in the midol,
of the stream. speeding down the grea
dark river
As Luke gazedupol those gallant men h,
began to wonder how many of them woul,
return from the expedition. Some ven