He knew they were looking there for the black plumes of smoke which should mark the coming of the steamers out of the Ohio.
But nothing showed on the surface of the Cumberland.

The river, dark gray under lowering clouds, flowed placidly on, washing the base of Fort Donelson.

At intervals of a minute or two there was a flash of fire from the fort, and the menacing boom of the cannon rolled through the desolate forest.

Now and then, a gun from one of the Northern batteries replied.

But it was as yet a desultory battle, with much noise and little danger, merely a threat of what was to come.
After a while Colonel Winchester wrote something on a slip of paper: "Take this to our lieutenant-colonel," he said.