THE CAPTURE OF FORT DONELSON.
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a moment for Mor-gan L. Smith to lighta cigar, I calledout, “ Forward it is,then! ” They weredirectly in front ofthe ascent to beclimbed. Withoutstopping for his sup-ports, Colonel Smithled them down intoa broad hollow, andcatching sight of theadvance, Cruft andRoss also moved for-ward. As the tworegiments began theclimb, the 8th Mis-souri slightly in thelead, a line of fireran along the browof the height. Thefiank companiescheered, while de-ploying as skirmish-ers. Their Zouavepractice proved ofexcellent service to them. Now on the ground, creeping when the fire was hot-test, running when it slackened, they gained ground with astonishing rapidity,and at the same time maintained a fire that was like a sparkling of the earth.For the most part the bullets aimed at them passed over their heads andtook effect in the ranks behind them. Colonel Smith’s cigar was shot offclose to his lips. He took another and called for a match. A soldier ran andgave him one. “ Thank you. Take your place now. We are almost up,” hesaid, and, smoking, spurred his horse forward. A few yards from the crestof the height the regiments began loading and firing as they advanced. Thedefenders gave way. On the top there was a brief struggle, which was endedby Cruft and Ross with their supports.
The whole line then moved forward simultaneously, and never stoppeduntil the Confederates were within the works. There had been no occasionto call on the reserves. The road to Charlotte was again effectually shut, andthe battle-field of the morning, with the dead and wounded lying where theyhad fallen, was in possession of the Third Division, which stood halted withineasy musket-range of the rifle-pits. It was then about half-past 3 o’clock inthe afternoon. I was reconnoitering the works of the enemy preliminaryto charging them, when Colonel Webster, of General Grant’s staff, came to