Colonel Lyons.
Fort Donelson, June 28, 1863.—It has rained copiously four or five days and is still raining. The river has risen fifteen feet or more and is still rising rapidly. We are almost sure of a fair stage of water for several weeks; which is, you know, a great relief to us.
Major Bigney returned last night from Nashville and Murfreesboro with saddles, equipments and arms for our mounted infantry. He brings news that General Rosecrans’ army is advancing and that they have occupied Shelbyville without opposition, Bragg having left. Great events seem to be in progress East and West, the result of which none can foretell.
Our part of the program seems to be to hold Fort Donelson. The retreat of Bragg’s army renders it highly improbable that we shall be attacked here this summer— if ever.
Captain Noyes went to Louisville with the Paymaster. He saw Colonel Lowe on Friday, en route for his command, which consists of five regiments of cavairy. His health is improved. He told Captain Noyes that he intended to telegraph to me confidentially that if I desired to go to the front he could get me there. The Captain told him that I had been to the front and having seen the elephant he did not think I was anxious to see him again. The movement of the army, however, renders any immediate change in our condition highly improbable.
The Reserve Corps, embracing all the troops left by General Rosecrans, is under command of Major-General Gordon Granger, and he may refuse to give me leave of absence. I think I could have gotten it from General Rosecrans without difficulty. This Reserve Corps is organized into divisions and brigades. Ours is the Third Division, commanded by Brigadier-General R. S. Granger, who now commands at Nashville.
The troops here and at Clarksville are the 1st Brigade of the Third Division. The ranking officer now is Colonel Bruce, who will command the brigade, I suppose; but as yet he has not assumed the command. This arrangement will not interfere with my authority here as the commander of this post, it being only for the purposes of organization.
The river is turbid and full of drift wood. Business will be lively on it while the high water lasts.
