The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-10-08
ECHOES OF THE PAST.
Excerpts From the Diary Of Andrew
j. Campbell.
His First View of AN Exploding Shell
The Bombardment Of
Fort Henry.

Feb. 1, the Federal fleet, under
Com. Foote, commenced lombard
ing FIT. Henry about nine O'clock.
The report Of every cannon could be
distinctly heard by us, 20 miles dis
tant. After dark Gen. Filgman sent
an order for our regiment to repair
to FIT. Henry at once. We embarked
about ten O'clock, leaving our
wagons and mules (which we had
just received) with Q. NJ. and w. NJ.
and several privates. We left a
good many sick, who were in the
Davilla Hotel, which had been con-
verified into hospital as military
necessity. We arrived at FIT. Henry
short time before day Feb. 5thl,
without any sleep-the boat being
so crowded. The night was very
cold, and after weary time we got
the boat unlOaded. Blundering
about in the dark we turned
into the quarters of the 10th
Tenn. Reg't. At daybreak we
carried our baggage out to the land
side of the fort and stuck down in
the mud; wood hard to get and
nothing to eat. About II o'clock we
We're ordered out in line of battle,
anticipating an attack. Our pickets
had a sharp skirmish with the
enemy's advance. The guns on the
boats of the fleet threw a few shells
at us without any damage being
done. This was my first view of an
exploding shell, which rendered me
very sensible of my unhealthy loca-
ton. No further prospect of a fight
presenting itself, we went in and
prepared late dinner. At night we
turned in early, being worn out
with loss of rest and sleep. At s
o'clock the long roll was beat. We
jumped into our clothes and turned
out in the rain. 1t proved a false
alarm.
Feb. 6, 1862. We remained under
the excitement of constant eX-
pectation of an engagement. About
noon the gun-bOats commenced
steaming out from behind an island
some two and half miles below the
fort, where they had been lying for
several days when not engaging the
fort. Some had just eat their dim
ners, some had just prepared theirs
and others were cooking. The order
came to withdraw from the range of
the fleet and prepare to meet the
land forces, which were $4,000 in
fantry and 5000 cavalry, supposed to
have been landed while the Federal
feet was bOmbarding the fort on the
4th.
Before we could get out, the
enemy's guns opened a heavy fire
upon our forces-2, 300 infantry and
POO cavalry. Our regiment, being in
the rear, shells fell around us very
thick for awhile. Our forces Were
halted at the entran'e Of the road
through the abattis, mile east OF
the fort. Then we were double.
quicked to the north side of the
abattis, expecting to meet the
enemy'S land forces, which we after
wards learned at that time were
posting themselves up the river anc
ON the short road to FIT. Donelson
Our officers then learning that the
fort had surrendered. after standing
a terrific bombagdment of an hom
and a half cover a thousand shot
having been fred, dOubled-quickeC
back to the road and commenced t.
retreat. Col. Heiman's regim 1914
was in front, Lt.-COl. McGdvock
commanding (Heimans' being in the
fOrt), the DIST Tenn, our regiment
and the 18th Ark. in the rear.
The cannoneers disgracefuIly
abandoned their cannon at the first
creek, cut out the horses and fled
pursuing a course well calculated tC
create panic. Crossing the
streams, which were very much
swollen from recent rains, caused
some confusion in our retreating
column. Col. Gantt's cavalry wa,
at this time in front and some Ala
cavalry near the rear.
Myself, Lieut.. Cheatham, Andrew
Clemens, J. l.. Hobbs and Wake,
Coffey, of my company, and ParsOr
| Gillian of Hickman City, being I'm
well, got behind our regiment, wher
my cook, who had lain IN bed al
day, came up with us. Learning
that the enemy's cavalry was in no
pursuit, the retreating column
halted and formed on "A steep hill
side. When we came up with then
the retreat was again resumed anC
again we got behind.
Col. Hughes, of Ala, (the ouly
field officer l saw after the retrea
began, rode up to the Ala. cavalry
and commanded them for Cod
sake to halt and protect the in
fantry. By riding along with then
for fifty yards and pleading will
them, he finally halted them. II
a few minutes the enemy's cavalr!
came up and fired upon our rear
The Ala. cavalry, after firing, cam
tearing by as though a thousand o
the enemy were upon them, running
over some of our men.
My comrades and myself, beini
behind the regiment, broke down
and, knowing that, il we Remained
in the road, the cavalry would b
certain to kill us or take us prisoners
went up hollow into a gorge, OF
the side of the hill and Law down /
rest. By this time some eighteen O
us had gotten together. all of tn
number having their arms. As W
lay there, we could hear distinctl
the beating of drums at FIT. Henry
which we afterwards were told wa
seven miles away. At dark W
came out of our entrenchments
struck in a southerly direction an
stored our course by the moon
Entering the road cautiously, W