parts guarding the waters, when you trace these to the Ohio, and remember that, were there no obstruction, a Union army could pass from that river to the very centre of the treasonable Confederacy.

Commander Foote, of the navy, had been sent in the autumn of 1861 to create and command a fleet of gunboats on the Mississippi. He personally superintended the naval enterprise, and had now ready for service seven gunboats, four of which were iron-clad. They were built at Cincinnati and St. Louis, then taken to Cairo to complete the outfit, and man them. General Grant issued orders, when the crews were called for, requesting the land officers not to interfere with the demand, if their men were among the volunteers.

All this time, the troops were holding and blockading the ports at the mouth of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Other forces on land and water kept up the alarm at Columbus, by firing on the fort. The silent, determined Grant, was getting thoroughly ready to make a bold push into Kentucky.

To deceive the enemy, if possible, is regarded as lawful policy in war. I suppose, on the same ground that you would feel it right to defend yourself by deception from a maniac, a person frantic with passion or strong drink, or even a ferocious beast. To escape or conquer, by creating false impressions and searching out the designs, has always been a part of the strategy and management of warfare.

CHAPTER VII.

The Gunboats Move up the Tennessee-Delay-Open Fire upon Fort Henry -The Fort Surrenders-Right on to Fort Donelson-The Fleet Disabled -Foote Wounded-The Forces of Grant close on the Fortress-The Terrific Contest-The Victory-Promotion-Striking Contrasts.

ORT HENRY was to be the first goal of the grand advance. The first day of February was the Sabbath. In imagination you may go to Cairo, and glance at its scenes. In the streets it

is mud, mud, mud! Dirty people, dogs, pigs, and carts are mingled in ludicrous confusion. Though a mild, sunny day, and birds are singing, nothing else, as you look, reminds you of the holy time. Steamers ascend with soldiers on the river, and all the sights of a port in time of war during the week, meet you in your walks about the town. But hark! the church bells toll the hour of worship. Sweet music amid the din and discord through which it floats! Enter this church, and, among the many soldiers, there is the nobly true and devout Commodore Foote. His fleet are ordered to keep the Sabbath, and maintain the worship of God in the ships.

With an army and navy led by such commanders, how sublime the spectacle, and how invincible the advance in a righteous cause! If you visit the flagship of the Commodore, he will show you, amid the fourteen heavy guns and all the strong machinery of those dark engines of destruction, the Sacred Place a quiet spot, where those who desire may commune with God.

It is Monday. The strange fleet, unseen before upon the Western rivers, steams from Cairo with ten regiments of troops in accompanying steamers, and, at nightfall, wheels into the Tennessee. In the morning, approaching Fort Henry, the anchors are dropped and scouts sent ashore.

"You will never take Fort Henry!" said a woman in a farmhouse which they entered.

Oh, yes, we shall. We have a fleet of iron-clad gunboats," said one.

"Your gunboats will be blown sky-high before they get into the fort."

The question reminded the talking woman that she was telling secrets, and she said no more. The scouts informed her that she must explain, or go with them a prisoner. She then said:

Why, the river is full of torpedoes; and they will blow up your gunboats."

The intelligence was carried to the Commodore, and six infernal machines raked from the bottom. The plan