There is a clear blue sky over head. Aids and orderlies are
moving hither and thither; drums are beating and bugles are blowing as if to
say, “Up boys and be ready, for Grant is on his restless steed." The army
is soon in motion ; the banners are fluttering, and pennons flying. We look
away through the woods and behold their beautiful light streaming around
stalwart men. It is early when our brigade (the 3d) commanded by our Colonel, “
John Cook,” moves from camp in the woods near Fort Henry. The Seventh at the
appointed time takes up the line of march, under the command of Lieutenant
Colonel Babcock. The regiment is in fine spirits; the hearts of the men beat
high. In their mind's eye they weave wreaths of fame. They seem to foresee
themselves crowned with glory. But do they dream that they will see blood flow
at their feet; that some of their number will go down in their glory ere the
sun makes many more circuits around the world?
A great many regiments have moved on before us. At ten
minutes past one o'clock we hear the report of artillery. It comes from the
gun-boats on the Cumberland. We move on briskly, and go into camp two miles
from Fort Donelson. The siege of this rebel Gibralter has already commenced.
The gunboats keep muttering. Echoes come from the river like echoes from
wrathful thunder. But by and by the regiment falls asleep on their bed of
leaves, and all night long we hear in our dreams the bolts of war, and behold
the surge of men in terrible battle.
SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh
Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 30-1
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