e to offer
battle, sullenly retreated southward. If the Confederate troops
had been withdrawn from Fort Donelson in season to effect a junction
with Johnston at Nashville, that able general might have delivered
battle there on terms possibly advantageous to his side. It was
this feature of the case which rendered the loss of Donelson so
serious and so exasperating to the Confederate Government, as shown
in the message of Jefferson Davis.

Another victory for the Union was gained on the coast of North
Carolina under the joint efforts of the army and the navy. General
Burnside was in command of the former and Commodore Gouldsborough
of the latter. The battle of Roanoke Island was fought the day
after the capture of Fort Henry, and the Union victory led to a
lodgment of the national forces on the soil of North Carolina,
which was held firmly to the end. Events beyond the Mississippi
were also favorable to the National Government. General Sterling
Price had been the cause of much trouble in Missouri, where he was
personally popular. He had led many young men into rebellion, and
his efforts to carry the State into the Confederacy were energetic
and unremitting. He had been dominating a large section of Missouri
and creating grave apprehensions for its safety. On the 18th of
February General Halleck, who had succeeded General Fremont in the
command of the Western Department, telegraphed the Secretary of
War: "General Curtis has driven Price from Missouri, and is several
miles across the Arkansas line, cutting up Price's army and hourly
capturing prisoners and stores. The Army of the South-West is
doing its duty nobly. The flag of the Union is floating in
Arkansas."

These victories coming almost simultaneously produced a profound
impression throughout the Loyal States. Men rushed to the conclusion
that the war would be closed and the Union restored before the end
of the year. The most sedate communities become mercurial and
impressible in time of deep excitement. The rejoicing was universal.
Congress ordered the illumination of the Capitol and other public
buildings in Washington on the 22d of February "in honor of the
recent victories of our army and navy;" and "as a mark of respect
to the memory of those who had been killed and in sympathy with
those who have been wounded" the House of Representatives on the
19th of February, on the motion of Mr. Washburne of Illinois,
adjourned without transacting busine