CHAPTER XXI.
GENERAL HALLECK IN COMMAND--COMMANDING THE DISTRICT OF CAIRO--MOVEMENT ON FORT HENRY--CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY.
While at Cairo I had frequent opportunities of meeting the rebel officers of the Columbus garrison.

They seemed to be very fond of coming up on steamers under flags of truce.

On two or three occasions I went down in like manner.

When one of their boats was seen coming up carrying a white flag, a gun would be fired from the lower battery at Fort Holt, throwing a shot across the bow as a signal to come no farther.

I would then take a steamer and, with my staff and occasionally a few other officers, go down to receive the party.