The National tribune., 1911-04-20

side that had captured Fort Heilman
were taken across the river to join in
the march to Fort Donelson.
The 41st H. (my regimenD arrived
in front of Fort Donelson Feb. u. Gen.
Grant and staff We're making a tour of
the lines as we arrived. AS we closed
up on the fort Col. w r. Morrison, of
the 10th H.. and Col. HayE4e. of the
4Sth i'll, had made an assault on the
rebels, and found a masked battery.
Their regiments were pretty badly cut
up. Col. John Cook, of the eth H.,
asked permission to make an assault
on the works, but Gen. Grant said that
he would make no assault, since they
had more men inside the fort than he
had. The rebels numbered $4,000,
while we were only 5000. Other rein
forcenfents were on the way with gum
boat tiotilla, however.
Got the First Shot.
We received orders to move TO the
right near the Cumberland River. Our
brigade was composed of the 4Ist Ill,
Col. Isaac Pugh, and the 9Th and 18th
i'll, Col. John Macarthur. On the way
to our position We were halted in the
timber. Several of our command got
out in an open field: others climbed
trees to watch the fort. Soon we saw
the flash of a cannon, and a 10-pound
ball came crashing thru the trees. Sew
eral of the boys in the trees let go and
fell to the ground. l picked up the
bali and showed it 10 Col Pugh. 1t
was the first shot fired at the 41st Ill.
He ordered us back to the regiment,
and we proceeded to our position on
the extreme right wing. The night was
a 'dreary one-rained and stormed all
night. We were called out to support
battery that had gone into position
and threw up some breastworks.
We had left all our tents and bag
gage at Fort Henry, and had to sleep
in the open air. The next day we
closed up on the fort, and took a posi-
fion near the Cumberland River. In
the evening the gunboats made an as
sault on the lower forts along the river
and were repulsed Commodore Foote
was wounded and several boats dis
abIed. We were not permitted to have
any fire as we were so close to the
enemy that a fire would reveal our po-
sition. Our rations had given out and
none had arrived. We We're cold and
hungry. / found some popcorn in an
old log house, and l got a skillet and
popped it.
Sleeping Under Snow Blanket.
During the night the rain turned to
snow, and when we awoke we were
covered with a blanket of two inches
of snow.
The Confederate Generals FLOYD and
Buckner, had held a council during the
night, and decided TO cut their way out
We were aroused early by the firing on
the picket line. They reported the en-
cmy. coming out in force with knap-
sacks and full outfits. We were ther
ordered to charge, which we did
throwing them into great confusion
and stopping them. They reformed and
came at US. Gen. N. I. Oglesby, of ILL.
Il tIn irfo a..
left, rode up to where we were. and
ordered our regiment to be moved tc
the timber on our right for protection
We had marched some so yards, wher
the 46th Miss, which had formed aIons
the fence just at the edge of the tim
her across the field, opened a volley
into our ranks. There were from five
to six of each company shot down, and
] shall never forget that line of blue
coats lying there in the snow. Among
the number was my schoolmate, Chas
Morgan.
Gradually we were driven back. anC
the entire right wing was engaged
Gen. John A. McClernani commanded
the division on the right, Gen. Lew
Wallace the center and Gen. C. F
Smith the left. The battle ragged furi
ously until our ammunition gave ou
and we were forced to retire. Gen
Grant had gone down the liver to Sc,
Commodore Foote, who was wounded
lie knew nothing of what was happen
ing on the right. A messenl er was sen
10 him. and he Immediately returned tc
the field. Gen. Lew Wail4 &c informed
him of the situation. H5 tod Gen
Wallace to bring his brigad and follow
him.
Gen. Grant Excited.
Gen. Wallace says it was the onl,
time he ever saw Gen. Grant excited
Wallace. with mis- commend (the Stt
Mo.. l1th Ind. and goth Ohio), made q