davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
SCI

was taken by Flag Officer Andrew Fl.
Foote with his gunboat f1otilla on the
9Th of February. The time up to the
18th was given by Gen. Grant. in com
Forts Henry and Donelson, to recon-
noitering the country in the direction of
Fort Donelson from Fort Henry. Two
roads were discovered. one of twelve
miles direct. the OIL er almost parallel
with the first, but, on account of slight
divergence. two miles longer.
BY S o'clock in the morning, the LIST
Division. Gen. John A. McClernand
comma nding. and the I'd, under Gen
Charles F. Smith, were i'm full march
The infantry of this command consisted
Of twenty-five regiments in ALL or three
less than those of the Confederates
Against their six field batteries Gen.
Grant had seven. In cavalry alone he
was materially stronger. He had also at
control fighting quality ordinarily at
home on the sea rather than the land.
After receiving the surrender of Fort
Henry. Flag Officer Foote had fastened
to Cairo to make preparation for the re-
duction of Fort Donelson With six of
his boats, he passed into the Cumberland
river, and on the 18th, while the two
divisions of the army We're marching
across to Donelson. he was hurrying TO
second trial of iron batteries afioat
against earth batteries ashore. BY sun
down of the 18th McClernand and Smith
reached the point designated for them in
orders.
In a clearing about two miles from
Dover there was log house. at the time
occupied by Mrs. Crisp. 1t was made
the headquarters of the commanding
general All through the night of the
18th the coming and going was inces
SAINT. Smith was ordered to find a posi-
ton in front of the enemy's right wing.
which would place him face to face with
Buckner. McClernands order was to es-
tablish himself on the enemys left where
he would be opposed to Pillow.
4 little before dawn Eirge's sharp
shooters We're astir. Theirs was a pc
culiar service. Each was a preferred
marksman, and carried a long-range
Henry rife, with sights delicately ar
ranged as for target practice. In action
each was perfectly independent They
never naneuvered as corps. When
the time came they were asked, Can
teens full?" biscuits for all day."
Then their only order. "All right: hunt
your holes, boys" Thereupon they dis
persed. and, like Indians. sought cover
to please themselves behind rocks and
stumps. or in hollows. Sometimes they
dug holes; sometimes they climbed into
trees. Once in good location, they re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

composed of the Sth Missouri and the
18th Indiana Infantry and Battery A, IL
linois. had been left behind at Fort Henry
and under myself. A courier was dis
patched to me with an order to bring my
command to Donelson. I ferrieo my
troops across the Tennessee i'm the night,
and reported with them at headquarteIs
before noon the next day. The brlsaoe
was transferred to Gen. Smith: at the
same time an order was put into my
hand assigning me to command the 80
Division, which was conducted to po-
sition between Smith and McClernand,
enabling the latter to extend his me Wen
to the left and cover the road to Char
lotte.
Thus on the 18th of February the Con-
federates are completely invested. except
that the river above Dover remained 10
them. The infantry on both sides are IN
cover behind the crests of the hills or in
thick woods, listening to the ragged fusli-
lade which the sharpshooters ana skir-
miShers maintain against each other al
most without intermisson. There is little
pause in the exchange of shells and round
shot
These circumstances, the sharpshoot-
ing and cannonading ugly as they may
seem, did in fact serve good purpose
the day in question in helping the men
to forget their sufferings of the night be
fore. 1t must be remembered that the
weather had changed during the preced-
ing afternoon: from suggestions OF spring
1t turned to lntenSll1eu WIuIeI ne
whisked suddenly around TO the north
and struck both armies with storm OF
mixed rain, snow and sleet. All nsht
the tempest blew mercilessly upon the ur-
sheltered. fireless soldier. making sleep
Impossible. Inside the works nobody mad
an overcoat: while thousands of those
outside had marched from Fort Henry as
to a summer fete leaving coats. blankets
and knapsacks behind them in the camp.
:. ::
Let us now go back TO the preceding
day and bring up an incident of Nc
Clernand's swing into position.
About the center of the Confederate
outworks there was V-shaped hill,
marked sharply by ravine on it's right
and another on it's left. This Col. Hell
man occupied with his brigade of five
regiments. The front presented was about
:. 800 feet. In the angle of the '. on the
summit of the hill, Capt Maney's bat
terry had been planted. 1t completely
swept large field to the left. across
which an assaulting force would have to
come in order to get at Holman or at
Drake, next on the south.
Nancy, on the point of the hill. had
been active throughout the preceding aft
ernoon, and had succeeded in drawing
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

fell chiefly on w. H. l.. Wallace. Nc
Clernand, watchful and full of resources
sent batteries to meet Buckners pat
teries. The roar never slackened. Men
fell by the score. reddening the snow
with their blood The smoke, in pallid
while clouds. chung to the underbrush
and tree tops as if to screen the COM
batants from each other. Close TO the
ground the flames of musketry and can
non tinted everything a lurid red. Limbs
dropped from the trees on the heads be
low, and tire thicketS were shorn as by
an army of Graders.
1t was now 10 clock, and over on the
right Oglesby was beginning to fare bad
ly. The rebel YELL told of ground being
gained against him. To add to his doubts,
officers were riding to him with sick
ening story that their commands were
getting out of ammunition, and asking
he could say was to take what was in
the boxes of the dead and wounded. At
last he realized that the end was come.
His right companies began to give way,
and as they retreated, holding up tneir
empty cartridge boxes. the enemy were
emboldened, and swept more tiercely
around his flank. until finally they, APP
peared in his rear. He then gave the
order to retire the division.
w. II. L. Wallace from his position
looked OH TO MS srlS Z anu SdW uuS oue
regiment Of Oglesbys in place. main
tanning the fight. and that was John A.
Iogan's 31st Illinois. Through the smoke
he could see Logan riding In a gallop
behind his line: through the roar IN his
front and the rising yell in his rear he
could hear Logan's voice in fierce en-
treaty to his boys" Near the 31st stood
TIE 18th Illinois. The gaps in the ranks
of the two were closed up always toward
the colors. The ground at their feet was
strewn with their dead and wounded.
At length the common misfortune over
took Logan. To keep men without cart
ridges under fire sweeping them front and
flank would be cruel. if not impossible;
and seeing it, he too gave the order to
retire and followed his decimated COM
panies to the rear
The nth then became the right of the
brigade and had to go in turn. For
rest charged them and threw them into
a brief confusion. The greater portion
chung to their colors and made good
their retreat.
Bv II o'clock Pillow held the road to
Charlotte and the whole of the position
occurred at dawn by the list Division.
Pillows part OF the program was ac-
The country was once mere
open to Floyd. Why did lie not avail
himself Of the dearly bought oppor-
tunity and march his army out?
On the Union side the situation at this
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

foot of the descent, in the valley. Graves
joined his fire to Maney's. There Nor
rison reported TO Haynie. who neither
accepted nor refused the comma nd
Let us take it together" Morrison
turned away, and rejoined his own regi-
ment. Here was an assault begun WITH
out head Nevertheless, the whole line
went forward.
On a part of the hillside the trees
were yet standing. The open space fell
to Morrison and his 49th and paying the
penalty of the exposure. he outstrlpped
the living rushed on and up, firing as
they went. The battery was the COM
mon target. Maney's gunners. in relief
against he sky. We're shot down in quick
he staid, and his guns continued their
punishment; and still the farmer lads
and shop boys of Illinois clung to their
purpose. With marvellous audacity they
pushed through the abatis and reached
a point within forty yards Of the rifle
pits 1t actually looked as if the prize
were theirs The yell of victory was ris-
ing in their threats.
Suddenly the long line of yellow breast
works before them. covering Heiman's
five regiments. cracked and turned into
flame. The forlorn hope stopped-stag
gered-braced up again-shot bllndly
through the smoke at the smoke of the
new enemy. securing his shelter. thus
fighting. Morrison was knocked out of
his saddle by "a musket ball and dis
abled; then the men went down the hill.
At its foot they rallied round their
flags and renewed the assault. Pushed
down again. again they rallied, and Il
third time climbed TO the enemy. THIS
time the battery set fire to the dry
leaves on the ground, and the heat and
smoke became Sitting. 1t was not pos
sible for brave men to endure more.
Slowly, sullenly, frequently pausing to
return shot, they went back for the
last time: and in going their ears and
souls were riven with the shriekS or
their wounded comrades, whom the flames
crept down upon and smOthered and
charred where they lay.
When Gen. Grant at Fort Henry be-
came fixed in the resolution to undertake
the movement against Fort Donelson. his
primary object was the capture of the
force to which the post was intruSted.
To effect their complete environment
he relied upon Flag Officer Foote and
his gunboats. Foote arrived on the 18th.
and made haste to enter upon his work.
At , o'clock the boats took position I'M
der fire.
Five hundred yards from the batteries,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

critical time was favorable to the pro-
posed retirement My division in the CEN
ter was weakened by the dispatch of one
of my brigadeS to the assistance of Gen.
McClernand in addition to which my
orders were to hold my position. AS
point of still greater Importance. Gen.
Grant had gone on board the ST. Louis
at the request of Flag Officer Fcote, and
he was there in consultation with that
0er. presumably uniformed of the
disaster which had beiallen his right. 1t
would take a certain time for him to re-
turn to the field and dispose of his forces
for pursuit. 1t may be said with strong
assurance. consequently. that Floyd
could have put his men fairly EN- route
Tor charlotte before the; Federal com
mander could have interrosed an OBJ
struction to the movement.
The real difficulty was in the hero of
the morning. Gen. Pillow. who now made
haste to blight his Iaurels. Imagining
Gen. Grants whole army defeated and
fleeing in rout for Fort Henry and the
transports on the river he began by ig-
noring Floyd. He rode to Buckner and
accused him Of shameful conduct. He
sent an aid to the nearest telegraph sta
ton with a dispatch to Albert Sidney
Johnston. asservating ION the honor of a
SOldier that the day was theirs. He Or
dered BuckneI to move out and attack
the Federals. There was gorge. up
which road ran toward our central po-
sition, or rather. what had been our CEN
trail position. Pointing to the gorge and
the road, he told Buckner that was his
way and babe him attack in force.
When Buckner reluctantly took the
gorge road marked out for him by Pill
low, the whole Confederate army, save
the detachments on the works, was vir-
tually in pursuit of McClernand, retiring
by the Wynns Ferry road-falling back.
in fact, upon my position. My division
was now to feel the weight of Pillow 5
hand: If they should fail, the fortunes of
the day would depend upon the veteran
Smith on our left
l was in the rear of my single remain
ing brigade, in conversation with Capt
Rawlins of Grants staff, when a great
shouting was heard behind me on the
Wynns Ferry road whereupon l sent an
orderly to ascertain the cause. The man
reported the road and woods full Of sol
diers apparent in rout. An officer then
rode by at full speed. shouting, "All's
lost Save yourselves. \ hurried con-
sultatiOn was had with Rawi.Es, at the
end of which the brigade was put in
motion toward the enemy's WORKS, or
the very road by which Buckner was pur-
suing under Pillows miscellaneous order
1t happened also thai Col. ". II. l..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
The lfiSt.

<SDOOR WRIGHT LORIMER." said at
the Lambs Club in New York. II
friend of the Inflated young actor. 'was
too forthrieht, too straightforward L,
get On. Perhaps he was too rash \.
any rate, as he once said TO me- he was
no fist.
II asked him what on earth an ills.
meant, and he told me story about a
walking trip.
.'He said that while student at OK
ford University i'm England he took a
walking trip in Devon with fist from
Brasepose. AS they walked from Comhe
Martin to LINTON they ran ont of food
On the beautiful road, high above the
sea. that leads to Woody bay, HUNGER
overcame them. LINTON was still many
niles away, and the ifist said:
If only had some ham now Ae
could cook mess of ham and eggs, il We
only had some eggs"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
COncelninu
Well-knOWn peODlp
An Expensive Luxury.

. ICIARD HARDING DAVIS, WHO
~ knows South America intimately.
told, at luncheon at the Philadelphia
Club. South American story.
The Florida In Buenos Aires he said,
lis very elegant and charming, but in the
past the young men were too prone 10
accost the beautiful women shopping and
prOmenading there.
Accordingly. a law was passed which
imposed a fine of so any one who
slightest degree any lady i'm Buenos Aires.
Mr.. Davis paused.
Since the passage of that law, he
said, solemnly. 1.-The Florida has become
quite safe; but. when a beautiful woman
walks in il, the young men hover near
her, murmuring in low and ardent tones:
81 wish 1 had fifty dollars
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

to cover the retreat. He was then to act
as rear guard.
Preparations for the attack occupied
the night. The troops for the most part
were taken out of the rife pits ana
massed over on the left to the number
of ten thousand or more. The GROUND
was covered with ice and snow yet the
greatest silence was observed. 1t seems
incomprehensible that columns mixed OF
all arms. infantry, cavalry and artillery,
could have engaged in simultaneous
movement and not have been heard by
some listener outside. But the plchees
of the FederalS We're struggling Tor HE
against the blast and probably did not
Oglesby's brigade held McClernand's
extreme right Here and there the must
clans were beginning to make the woods
ring with reveille. and the numbed SOL
diers of the line were rising from their
icy beds and shaking the snow from their
frozen garments. Suddenly the pickets
fired. and with the alarm on their lips
rushed back upon their comrades. Inc
woods on the instant became alive.
The regiments formed, officers mounted
and took their places; words of command
rose loud and eager. BY the time Phi
lows advance opened fire on Oglesby
right, the point nrSt STRUCK. lIe IdtteI
was fairly formed to receive it. A rapid
exchange of volleys ensued. The dis
lance intervening between the works on
one side and the bivouac on the other
was SO short that the action began before
Pillow could effect a deployment Ogles-
by's Illinoisans We're now fully awake
They held their ground. returning in fun
mea sure the fire that they received. me
Confederate Forrest rode around as II 70
get in their rear. and it was then give
and take, infantry against infantry. p.
The Semi-echeon movement of the Con-
federates enabled them. after an interval
to strike W. II. l.. Wallace's brigade. on
Oglesby's left. Soon Wallace was en-
gagged along his whole front. The first
charge against him was reDulsed; where
upon he advanced to the top of the rls-
ing ground behind which he had shelter
ed his troops in the night. A fresh as
sault followed. but. aided by battery
across the valley to his left, lie repulsed
the enemy second time His men We're
steadfast and chung to the brow of the
hill as if it were theirs by holy right.
Buckner flung a portion of his division
en- McC1ernands s. left. and supported the
attack with his artillery. The eniiladinS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

Wallace had dropped into the same road
their colors. He came up riding and at
a walk. his leg over the horn of his sad
die Good morning. l said. Good
m morn was W. the reply Are they pur-
they behind?'' That instant the head of
my command appeared on the road The
colonel calcu 'ated, then answered: You
will have about time to form line of bat
tie right here" THANK you. Good day
Good day"
At that point the road began to dip
into the gorge; on the right and left
there were woods, and in fropt a dense
thicket. An order was dispatched to
bring Battery \ forward at fun speed
Col. John NJ. Thayer, commanding the
brigade, formed it on the doub,e-quick
into line. The battery came up on the
run and swung across the road, which
had been left open for it. Hardly had
it unlimbered before the enemy appeared
and firing began.
For ten minutes or thereabOuts the
scenes of the morning We're re-ena cted
The Confederates struggled hard to per-
feet their deploymentS. Col. Thayer and
his regiments behaved with great gal
lantry, and the assailants fell back in
confusion and returned to the intrench-
ments. w. H. l.. Wallace and Oslesby
reformed their commands behind Thayer,
supplied them with ammunition and stood
at rest waiting for orders. There was
then lull in the battle. Even the can
nonading ceased, and everybody was
asking, What next?
Just then Gen. Grant rode up to where
Gen. McClernand and l were in CONVEX
sation. He was almost unattended.
Wholly unexcited, he saluted and re-
ceived the salutations of his subordinates.
Proceeding at once to business, he direct
ed them to retire their commands to the
heights out of cannon range, and throw
UP works. Reinforcements were en-
route, he said. and it was advisable to
await their coming. He was then in
formed of the mishap to the 1st Division.
and that the road to Charlotte was open
to the enemy.
In every great mans career there is
crisis exactly similar to that which now
overlook Gen. GraAt. and it cannot be
better described than as crucial test
of his nature. y mediocre person would
nave accepted the news as an argument
for persistence i'll his resolution to enter
upon IL siege. Had Gen. Grant done
SO. ii is very probab BILE his history would
have been then and there concluded. 1t
cannot be doubted that he saw with
painful distinctuess the effect of the dis
aster TO his right wing. His face flushed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
TemperamentaI Husbands.

WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS was talk.
w ing, at a tea in New York, about
the artistic temperament.
But the artistic temperament" he said
has. with all its defects, maynard
charm.
"A famous novelist and his wife were
lunching one day The lady upset glass
of wine, and. as the red fluid ran toward
him over the white cloth. the novelist
drew hastily back and cried:
How like you.
But, five. minutes later. he upset a
glass of wine himself
How unlike me- he then cried"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

tie fire OF some of McClernand's guns.
The duel lasted until night. Next morn
ing it was renewed with increased sharp
ness Nancy being assisted on his r1sht
by Graves battery of Buckrer's division,
and by some pieces of brakes on his
left.
Netherlands advance was necessarily
slow and trying In Maney's we'll served
guns he undoubtedly found serious annoy
ance. If not a positive obstruction. Con-
centrating guns of his own upon the in
dustrious Confederate, he at length fan
cied him silenced and the enemy's infan-
try on the right thrown into confusion.
Giro umstancas from which he hastily dei
Guced Il favorable chance to deliver an
assault. For that purpose he reinforced
his Sd Brigade. which was nearest the
offending battery, and gave the necessary
orders.
Old soldiers would have regarded the
work proposed with gravity. They would
have shrewdly cast up an account of
the chances of success. not to speak of
the chances of coming out alive.
They WOutQ siase measured the dis
lance to be passed, every foot of it, I'M
der the guns of three batteries, Nancy s
in the center, Graves on their left and
brakes on their right-a direct line of
have omitted the reception awaiting
them from the rifle pits. They were to
descend a hill entangled for 200 yards
with underbrush climb an opposite as
cent parity SiloTu Vi mike way
through an abatis of soc tops; then,
supposng all that successfully accom-
pished, they would be at last in face Of
an enemy whom it was possible to re-
inforce with all the reserves of the
garrison-with the whole garrison, If
need be- A veteran would have surveyed
the three regiments selected for the hon.
orable duty with many missivings. Not
so the men themselves. they were not
old soldiers. Recruited but recently from
farms and shops, they accepted the as
signment heartily and with youthful
confidence In their prowess.
The line when formed stood thus from
the right: the 18th Illinois, then the 18th,
and then the 4Sth, Col. Haynie. At the
last moment question of seniority
arose between Gels. Morrison and Haynie.
The latter was of opinion that he was
the ranking officer. Morrison replied that
he would conduct the brigade 10 the point
from which the attack was TO be made,
after which Haynie might take TIE COM
mand, if he so desired.
Down the hill tie three regiments
went, crashing and tearing through the
underground. Before they cleared the
woods Name opened with shells. AT the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
A Good Ad.

xfr SEE that womens hobble skirts this
/ winter are just as hobby as ever.
lust as tight as ever, said George ~
Cohan at Il dinner at the Lambs Club, in
New York.
He smiled and added:
IF | were a dressmaker Id advertise
like this:
Ladies. Try our latest hobbie skirt.
The Postage Stamp made of gummed
satin In The Postage Stamp skirt you
ALWAYS catch the male.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
Marriage.

fkD ONT sneer at the Chinese literati
l. and the ancient Chinese litera
ture.'
The speaker was Hsu Pingchen. the
Chinese consul general at San Francisco.
He continued:
Our ancient Chinese literature is
wise. Take, for example, one Of it's cpl
grams on marriage. Could anything be
wiser than this epigram:
Marriage Is like a beseged city
those without all want to get in, and
those within all want to get out
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

THE First Great Union
/ Victory of the War,
Which Set the North in a
Frenzy of Delight and Put
Grants Name on Every
Tongue. Described by Maj.
Gen. Lew Wallace, Author
of "Ben-Hur," Who Was One
of Grants Three Division
Commanders Before Donel-
son.