The National tribune., 1894-12-20
OUR FLEET.

! On the fifth day from Danville, distant som.
| So miles, the troops that had been quartered
there, pitched tents among the riflt-pits dug
the previous Fall, when Bragg came racing
northwaTd with Buell. hoping to secure the
| prize Of the States metropolis.
Close at hand rolled the mighty Ohio
swollen by heavy Winter rains from fal
eastward. Away to the left In the distancs
was the Louisville of 1863, dominated by
PrO-slaVery influences and especially hostile
| to the Abolition regiments from the North.
west about TO leave Them, we had supposed
forever.
1t was noised in camp that there was Il
he trouble about some escaped slaves, who
had found safe asylum within the lines; il
was said citizens, encouraged by Federal
officers in sympathy with them, had deter.
mined to take every negro from each regi'
ment as il marched through the city to the
landing.
Hitherto no fugitive from slavery had been
denied access TO our lines, aud no master
whatever his social or official station, had
been able 20 reclaim such as had been adj
mitted. Each had been left to come and 20
at his own volitinn, but now final test was
threatened, and Col. VIM. +. Utley, COM
manding the 22d Wis, in full accord with
his men, ordered closed ranks, silence, and
no attention TO citizens unless an attempt
were made to forcibly take The slaves.
At 3 p. IN. of Jan. 81, 1863 orders came
to march, and with fixed hayonets and rifles
at right-shoulder, we splashed in the deep,
black mud TO and through the shabby
suburbs into the city and along Main street
towards the waiting transports by the levee.
Paul, the chattel Of Judge Robinson, kept
in the center of the rear files of Co. A, and
and in f, similarly guarded, marched a
sulien negro, named Charley, who had been
employed about the rcgimental hospital.
A dense mob of excited citizens thronged
the street at corner where The head of
column filed right toward the river bank,
among them mounted Federal officer, who
made himself conspicuous in counteDanciDg
raid upon the ranks for negroes.
The sight OF the slaves stirred the crowd
with fury, aud as the officer, pointing to
Charley, called out:
" Is that your nigger2n
Some one said: "Ieso
Then why don't you take him." he re-
piled, in tone that implied there would be
no resistance.
A rush was made and citizen reached in
to seize the black, who pulled pistol and
down from shoulders, the attempt at capture
was frustrated, and we proudly marched
upon a steamboat without giving up single
fugitive, the only successful regiment of the
force, believe.
Seven companies embarked on q boat
named the Commercial, and three went on
board the Champion, smaller boat The
feeling among citizens was very bitter. and
und9r influence the haaf axyuprQ fhraa q
ened not TO move unless the negroes in con-
troversy were given up. To this Utley re-
sponded:
j have competent men in my command,
and unless You do, 1 will run the boats my
self with crews from the ranksn
Seeing the brave old man was in earnest,
they gave up the fight Each boat, as soon
as loaded, took departure TO the rendezvous
at Smithland, where the Ohio joins the Cum
berlsnd.
A day and night passed, and we had
Joined the feet.
PREPARATIONS were rapidly made for de-
Tense, In case of attack from field batteries
from some favorable point along the banks
OF the Cumberland, by lashing steamboats,
together two by two 90 that were one dis
abled the other could give assistance, and
then deployiDg into long line, the move
ment began up toward Nashville, Tenn.
A half dozen gunboats posted at intervals
as escort and protection seemed to command
the feet and as will appear proved timely
reinforcement TO a hard-pressed garrison at
old Fort Donelson.
The sight was beautiful and soul-stirring
Bands played, whistles sounded, columns of
smoke and steam rising blended black and
white, and the decks were crowded with
blue coats
Several of our boats crews were soon en-
gagged in putting up iron plating to protect
the pilot from possible guerrilla marksmen.
A year had gone by since like expedition
passed this same route and won victory and
fame at Fort Doneson. In these same steam
boats the army OF Gen. Grant had gone for
ward, as we were going, TO unknown expert
ence.
What had 1863 in store for Granger's
Corps in Middle Tennessee? Ask the
brigades that came to the relief of Thomas
at Chickamauga if their widest thoughts
anticipated Drawer fight, greater loss. or more
deserved fameP
The Narrows had been passed and left
far behind, when the convoy of gunboats,
suddenly increasing speed, passed quickly
from view ahead, and rumor spread that
there was hard fighting at Fort Donelson
and the boats had been ordered forward TO
take part in the contest.
The Commercial and her consort proved
slOw-going, and two boats-the Chenango
and the Fort Wayne, having the s5th Ind. on
board-paddled by. The Hoosiers cheered
Justify, with the spirit that exults in going
the faster, whatever be the vehicle or means
of transport; and the Wisconsin boys were
correspondiuRly denressed
The stream soon appeared dotted By hun
dreds of bales Of hay floating with the cur
rent, and conjecture was busy how it came
10 be in the river, and there was wonder at
the wastefulness of forage sufficient to sup
ply the teams Of an army.