Letters from Colonel Lyon.
Fort Donelson, April 9, 1863.—At present there seems to be no considerable force of rebels in our vicinity, and we are resting very quietly.
We held an election on Tuesday for Chief Justice.
Our nine companies have cast 385 votes, of which Dixon received 357 and Cothren 28; majority for Dixon, 329. Our other company is at Hickman, Ky.
We are doing much work upon the fortifications here and will soon have a strong fort in a strong position.
A few days ago, April 3d, some gunboats were fired upon with artillery above here, under circumstances that led us to apprehend an attack here. We sent off our sick, and all our women packed up ready to start, but no enemy came.
