Donelson

The bitter cupOf that hard countermandWhich gave the Envoys up,Still was wormwood in the mouth,And clouds involved the land,When, pelted by sleet in the icy street,About the bulletin-board a bandOf eager, anxious people met,And every wakeful heart was setOn latest news from West or South.“No seeing here,” cries one--“don’t crowd--”“You tall man, pray you, read aloud.”

We learn that General Grant,Marching from Henry overland,And joined by a force up the Cumberland sent(Some thirty thousand the command),On Wednesday a good position won--Began the siege of Donelson.

The stronghold crowns a river-bluff,A good broad mile of leveled top;Inland the ground rolls offDeep-gorged, and rocky, and broken up--A wilderness of trees and brush.The spaded summit shows the roodsOf fixed intrenchments in their hush;Breast-works and rifle-pits in woodsPerplex the base.--The welcome weatherIs clear and mild; ’tis much like May.The ancient boughs that lace togetherAlong the stream, and hang far forth,Strange with green mistletoe, betrayA dreamy contrast to the North.

Our troops are full of spirits--sayThe siege won’t prove a creeping one.They purpose not the lingering stayOf old beleaguerers; not that way;But, full of vim from Western prairies won,They’ll make, ere long, a dash at Donelson.

Washed by the storm till the paper grewEvery shade of a streaky blue,That bulletin stood. The next day broughtA second.

Grant’s investment is complete--A semicircular one.Both wings the Cumberland’s margin meet,Then, backwkard curving, clasp the rebel seat.On Wednesday this good work was done;But of the doers some lie prone.Each wood, each hill, each glen was fought for;The bold inclosing line we wrought forFlamed with sharpshooters. Each cliff costA limb or life. But back we forcedReserves and all; made good our hold;And so we rest.

Events unfold.On Thursday added ground was won,A long bold steep: we near the Den.Later the foe came shouting downIn sortie, which was quelled; and thenWe stormed them on their left.A chilly change in the afternoon;The sky, late clear, is now bereftOf sun. Last night the ground froze hard--Rings to the enemy as they runWithin their works. A ramrod bitesThe lip it meets. The cold incitesTo swinging of arms with brisk rebound.Smart blows ’gainst lusty chests resound.

Along the outer line we wardA crackle of skirmishing goes on.Our lads creep round on hand and knee,They fight from behind each trunk and stone;And sometimes, flying for refuge, oneFinds ’tis an enemy shares the tree.Some scores are maimed by boughs shot offIn the glades by the Fort’s big gun.We mourn the loss of colonel Morrison,Killed while cheering his regiment on.Their far sharpshooters try our stuff;And ours return them puff for puff:’Tis diamond-cutting-diamond work.Woe on the rebel cannoneerWho shows his head. Our fellows lurkLike Indians that waylay the deerBy the wild salt-spring.--The sky is dun,Fordooming the fall of Donelson.

Stern weather is all unwonted here.The people of the country ownWe brought it. Yea, the earnest NorthHas elementally issued forthTo storm this Donelson.

A yelling routOf ragamuffins broke profuseTo-day from out the Fort.Sole uniform they wore, a sortOf patch, or white badge (as you choose)Upon the arm. But leading these,Or mingling, were men of faceAnd bearing of patrician race,Splendid in courage and gold lace--The officers. Before the breezeMade by their charge, down went our line;But, rallying, charged back in force,And broke the sally; yet with loss.This on the left; upon the rightMeanwhile there was an answering fight;Assailants and assailed reversed.The charge too upward, and not down--Up a steep ridge-side, toward its crown,A strong redoubt. But they who firstGained the fort’s base, and marked the treesFelled, heaped in horned perplexities,And shagged with brush; and swarming thereFierce wasps whose sting was present death--They faltered, drawing bated breath,And felt it was in vain to dare;Yet still, perforce, returned the ball,Firing into the tangled wallTill ordered to come down. They came;But left some comrades in their fame,Red on the ridge in icy wreathAnd hanging gardens of cold Death.But not quite unavenged these fell;Our ranks once out of range, a blastOf shrapnel and quick shellBurst on the rebel horde, still massed,Scattering them pell-mell.(This fighting--judging what we read--Both charge and countercharge,Would seem but Thursday’s told at large,Before in brief reported.--Ed.)Night closed in about the DenMurky and lowering. Ere long, chill rains.A night not soon to be forgot,Reviving old rheumatic painsAnd longings for a cot.

No blankets, overcoats, or tents.Coats thrown aside on the warm march here--We looked not then for changeful cheer;Tents, coats, and blankets too much care.No fires; a fire a mark presents;Near by, the trees show bullet-dents.Rations were eaten cold and raw.The men well soaked, come snow; and more--A midnight sally. Small sleeping done--But such is war;No matter, we’ll have Fort Donelson.

“Ugh! ugh!’Twill drag along--drag along”Growled a cross patriot in the throng,His battered umbrella like an ambulance-coverRiddled with bullet-holes, spattered all over.“Hurrah for Grant!” cried a stripling shrill;Three urchins joined him with a will,And some of taller stature cheered.Meantime a Copperhead passed; he sneered.“Win or lose,” he pausing said,“Caps fly the same; all boys, mere boys;Any thing to make a noise.Like to see the list of the dead;These ‘craven Southerners’ hold out;Ay, ay, they’ll give you many a bout”“We’ll beat in the end, sir”Firmly said one in staid rebuke,A solid merchant, square and stout.“And do you think it? that way tend, sir”Asked the lean Cooperhead, with a lookOf splenetic pity. “Yes, I do”His yellow death’s head the croaker shook:“The country’s ruined, that I know”A shower of broken ice and snow,In lieu of words, confuted him;They saw him hustled round the corner go,And each by-stander said--Well suited him.

Next day another crowd was seenIn the dark weather’s sleety spleen.Bald-headed to the storm came outA man, who, ’mid a joyous shout,Silently posted this brief sheet: