provisions from private cellars and larders of loy alists along the Cumberland river. It was natural that some should wish to express their gratitude by special packages to the hero of the day, and rare baskets of wine, champagne, etc., were sent from cellars that had held them in jealous care for years. General Grant, with thanks, quietly distributed the stores among the wounded soldiers, and strictly declined touching any of the liquors for himself or them. I hope this digression may be pardoned; it is made to illustrate the correctness of first impres

sions.

In the incidents recorded, New Year's day with us closed, and the battle of Fort Henry opened. Next morning brought orders from General Grant to make a "forward move," and preparations were accordingly made, although a month intervened be fore the battle. Late on Saturday night, February first, the gun-boats St. Louis, Cincinnati, Carondelet, Essex, Tyler, and Lexington, left Cairo and proceeded to the mouth of the Tennessee river, at Paducah, where they were joined by the Conestoga. This fleet was commanded by Commodore, afterwards Rear-Admiral, A. H. Foote. The land forces were conveyed from Cairo to Paducah on transports, and from thence the whole fleet sailed up the swollen and muddy Tennessee towards Fort Henry. After suitable reconnoissance, the squadron was moved four miles below the fort, where the troops landed and encamped for the night. A violent thunder-storm burst upon them; the heavens were aglow with lightning, and

the rain fell in torrents, soaking the clay so thor oughly, as to render the next morning's work extremely difficult. General Grant's plans had been well laid for the campaign and attack. Colonel Oglesby commanded the first brigade, Colonel W. H. L. Wallace commanded the second brigade, and they together constituted the first division of the district of Cairo, which was commanded by General John A. McClernand. The second brigade was commanded by General C. F. Smith, and the third brigade by General G. A. Paine, our old neighbor of the Bird House. Fourth brigade by Colonel Morgan.

The first division was ordered to take a position on the road from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson and Dover (a little town close to Donelson), to prevent the reinforcement of the enemy and the escape of the garrison; and on receipt of orders to charge and take Fort Henry, the second division was to cross the river, move up the western shore, and occupy a hill overlooking the fort, which the enemy had begun to inclose, and to be ready to reinforce Gen. McClernand. The gun-boats were to shell the fort, and drive the enemy from the guns. Commodore Foote desired the land forces to advance prior to the navy, but they declined, as the mud was too deep.

The divisions set out as ordered. The first made every exertion to intercept the retreating garrison, and the Illinois boys pressed eagerly forward, through swamps and slippery hills, to the music of Foote's deep-toned artillery and the heavy guns from Fort Henry. The gun-boats shelled the fort and drove

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the enemy from the guns; but suddenly all was silent, and the word ran along the line, "Is Foote beaten ?". They were to learn that a portion of the garrison had fled from the camp, and the remainder had surrendered. We give the above briefly, and have not forgotten that Fort Henry surrendered to Foote; but the campaign was one of Grant's well-matured plans, and Foote's success but another instance of Grant's skill in choosing the right man for the right place.