Colonel Lyons.
Fort Donelson, June 3, 1863.—Colonel Lowe was telegraphed for on account of the sickness of his wife, and the command of the post will doubtless be on my shoulders for some weeks. There is no danger at present that we shall be sent away from here. I do not like to have this responsibility upon me at all, but must stand it, I reckon. Captain Ruger starts out in the morning to make his surveys, or rather to commence them. His wife will worry for fear he will be shot by guerillas. When you write to her tell her that I will keep a strong guard of cavalry and infantry with him, and will do everything possible for his safety that I can.
