Colonel Lyons.
Fort Donelson, June 16, 1863.—I wonder what Canadian Secesh think now of our ability to whip the South. We had news last night that Port Hudson with 12,000 had surrendered to Banks. If this is true the rebels have lost at least 75,000 men within two weeks— besides those strongholds, Vicksburg and Port Hudson.
Just now we are watching Morgan’s course in Indiana with a good deal of interest, and some satisfaction. He has gone right into the worst Copperhead hole in the North and is teaching them, just as Lee taught the same class in Pennsylvania, that they have a personal interest in this war. Of course, he can not get out of there without being badly damaged.
You know how common it is for me to get word that a big force is just ready to pounce upon me, and yet it don’t worry me much, not half as badly as it once did. Less than a week ago Colonel Bruce telegraphed me that Forrest was near Fort Heiman, advancing on Fort Donelson. I thought I knew better and was not at all disquieted.
Minerva was quite sick again, but is better. Jerry says, ‘She is a right smart pearter this morning’. Jerry came in this morning before I was up, in high spirits. The Paymaster left in the night. Says Jerry, ‘Colonel, that Major called me up before he left and gave me two dollars. He is a right smart man. He is a sensible man. Oh, he’s got a power of sense, that Major has!’ So much for Jerry.
I have a beauty of a horse, a roan, gentle, quiet, easy under the saddle and afraid of nothing. He belongs to the Government, but I shall have him appraised and buy him.
Asboth has taken the troops away from Heiman and sent them to Paducah. He says Paducah is threatened. It is no doubt a Columbus scare.
