"Let me see some of those haversacks," he commanded sharply, and
one glance at their contents convinced him that the Confederates
were not attempting to crush his army, but were trying to break
through his lines and escape. If they intended to stay and defend
the fortress, they would not carry haversacks at all; but if they
contemplated a retreat, they would not only take them, but fill
them with enough provisions to last for several days. In reaching
this conclusion Grant was greatly aided by his knowledge of the
men opposing him. He had served in Mexico with General Pillow, the
second in command at Fort Donelson, and, knowing him to be a timid
man, felt certain that nothing but desperation would ever induce
him to risk an attack. He also knew that Floyd, his immediate
superior, who had recently been the United States Secretary of War,
had excellent reasons for avoiding capture and, putting all these
facts together, he instantly rose to the occasion.

"Fill your cartridge boxes, quick, and get into line," was his
order to the men as he dashed down the wavering lines. "The enemy
is trying to escape and he must not be permitted to do so!"

The word flew through the disordered ranks, transforming them as
it passed, and at the same time orders were issued for the entire
left wing to advance and attack without a moment's delay. This
unexpected onslaught quickly threw the Confederates back into the
fortress, but before they again reached the shelter of its walls the
Union forces had carried all the outer defenses and had virtually
locked the door behind their retreating adversaries.

From that moment the capture of the imprisoned garrison was only
a question of time, and within twenty-four hours Grant received