Life and Letters of General W. H. L. Wallace

XV. Capture of Fott Henry and Fort Donelson.

CHAPTER XV. CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY AND FORT DONELSON. N OW began the onward march of events that went steadily forward until cu~minating in the surrender of Lee at Appomatox in April, 1865. On February second the troops started for the capture of Fort Henry, a stronghold of the Confederates on the Tennessee River. Colonel Wallace writes his wife of the intended expedition: "BIRD'S POINT, February 1, 1862. "Weare under marching orders if going by steam may be called marching. We leave to-morrow morning. We go up the Ohio and Tennessee rivers and you may hear of us' near the Tennessee line next. * * * * I can say to you what I cannot say to any here, that these troops with others from Cairo, Fort Holt, Paducah and Smithland to the number of about fifteen thousand go up the Tennessee to take Fort Henry, which is situated on the Tennessee river just above the line. If successful we will have the honor of being the first Federal troops on Tennessee soil. I understand unofficially that I am to command a brigade consisting of the Eleventh, Twentieth and Forty-eighth Illinois regiments, the Fourth cavalry (your pa's) and Taylor 's battery and another battery of artillery. Six gunboats accompany the expedition-I hope you may hear a good account of us. "This move may interfere with my seeing you on the eighteenth (the anniversary of their wedding which they had always spent together), but I yet hope it may be possible --I should regret it very much if I should be deprived of that pleasure. * * * * How much I have to thank you for. My all of happiness of life is clustered around you. The many years we have spent together furnish abundant most pleasant food for memory and inspire hope for the future. You talk of my praise being pleasant to you. * * * * If I could express all your goodness, your [150] LIFE AND LETTERS OF GENERAL W. H. L. WALLACE loving kindness, your constant, patient attention, your noble self-sacrifice, I would indeed sketch a character worthy of all honor and love. Know that deep down in my heart, underlying all my thoughts, animating all my hopes, lighting up all my fondest and dearest memories, and inspiring all my desires and wishes, is the dear image of yourself. * * * * Without your love or without the love I bear you, I should not be myself. ,It is a part, the best part, of my life. It has made me and is still making me a better man in the endeavor it inspires to be worthy of that which I prize more than all on earth." The official announcement giving Colonel Wallace command of a Brigade. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, CAIRO, ILLINOIS, February 5, 1862. SPECIAL ORDER No.4. COLONEL W. H. L. WALLACE, Commanding 11th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. SIR: By General Order No.5 of Brigadier-General U. S. Grant commanding the District of Cairo, dated February 1st, 1862, the following regiments and unattached companies compose the Second Brigade of the First Division: The Eleventh regiment Illinois Volunteers, Colonel W. H. L. Wallace; the Twentieth regiment Illinois Volunteers, Colonel C. C. Marsh; the Forty-fifth regiment Illinois Volunteers , Colonel I. E. Smith; the Forty-eighth regiment Illinois Volunteers, Colonel!. N. Haynie; the Fourth regiment Illinois cavalry, T. Lyle Dickey. Taylor's and McAllister's artillery, the latter with four siege guns: By the same general order you, as senior Colonel of the Brigade, are assigned to the command. You will please report to these headquarters the strength of your command, the names of the officers commandingand the date of their rank, preparatory to numbering and classifying them. After embarkation please communicate with the General commanding for further instructions. [151} LIFE AND LETTERS OF GENERAL W. H. L. WALLACE By order of BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN A. MCCLERNARD. M. BRAYMASS, A. A. General. A general order given to a Brigade Commander. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, ON BOARD THE "ALPS," February 4th, 1862. FIELD ORDER No. 10. In planning the encampment for the troops, the Commanders of Brigades of the Division will strictly adhere to the following rules, viz: 1. The batteries of artillery of their commands to be put in the most commanding positions, giving them a wide range, if possible. 2. The proper support must always be given to the batteries in locating the infantry camps. 3. If the camping ground is...