The New York Herald Newspaper, February 8, 1862, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 9281. THE NEW YORK HERALD. PRICE TWO CENTS. NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1862. THE IMPORTANT VICTORY IN TENNESSEE. Ne ene ne Ae NNN NNN NANNIES NAAN NN NRA PARANA RNR OI NAPA * The Capture of Fort Henry---Its Important Strategic Columbus with Bowling Green. Position---Seizure of the Railroad Bridge “::»,ecting ‘HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM TENNESSEE. ‘SPLENDID NAVAL VICTORY. Surrender of Fort Henry to the Union Gunboats. ‘Determined Resistance of the Rebels. ‘THE UMON ‘TROOPS NOT IN THE FIGHT. Capture of One General, One Colonel, Two Captains and Sixty Privates. The Memphis and Ohio Railroad Bridge Taken Possession Of. “@hort and Sweet” Official An- -pouncement of Gen. Halleck. ‘Oficial Report of Commodore A. H. Foote tothe Secretary of the Navy. Names of the Gunboats Engaged, with the flames of Their Officers and the Calibre of Their Armaments. SKETCH OF FORT HENRY. The Key to the Mississippi Valley, Re, Caso, Ill., Fob. 7, 1862. ‘We bave-takeo Fort neney. % was surrendered to Commodore Foote yesterday at twoo’clock in the afternoon, after # most determined reewstance The fight,.which lasted an hour and twenty minutes, ‘was conducted by the gunboats Cincinnati, ssex and St. Louis. The Civcinnats fired one hundred and twenty-five rounds, and received thirty-four ehots fro she rebel guns; but only one man was killed. The St. Louis fired one huadred and ten rounds, but re- ceived no damage. ‘The Essex rus disabled after Gring ten rounds by » ‘ball striking her boiler, Thirty-two parsons on board oft her were killed, veing scalded to death. Capt. Porter, ‘who commanded her, was badly scalded, but vot daager- ously 90, " One rebel general, one colonel, two captains and one Dandred privates were taken prisoners, ‘The fort mounted twenty guns and sevent ‘The land forces did not reach the scone of 1 until half an hour after the surrender of the fort. The Memphis and Ohio Railroad bridge, fifteen miles above the fort, has Leen taken possession of by our troops. aan ae, morters. ‘action DETAILS OF THE BATTLE. Cixcixnani, Feb. 7, 1962. The Gazette and Commercial’s Cairo correspondence gives the following account of the bombardment and capture of Fort Henry:— Yesterday, ot half-past twelve P. M., the gunboats Cincinnati, St. Louls, Carondelet and Essex, the Tylor, Conestoga and Lexington bringing up the rear, advanced Doldly against the repel works, going to the right of Panther Creck Isiand, immediately above where, on the east shore of the river, stands the fortifications, and keeping out of range till at the head of the island and within a mile of the enemy passing the island in full view of the rebel guns. We steadily advanced, every man at quarters, ‘every ear strained to catch the flag officer’s signal gua ‘for the commencement of the action. Our line of battle ‘was on the left of the St. Louis, next the Carondelet, next “the Cincinnati (for the time being the flagship, having on ‘board Flag Officer Foote) and the next the Essex. ‘We advanced in line, the Cincinnati 3 boat's length ahead, when, at half-past eleven, the Cinciunati opened the ball, and immediately the three accompanying boats followed suit. ‘The enemy was not backward and gave an admirable response, and the fight raged furiously for half an hour. We steadily advanced, receiving and re- turning the storms of shot and shell, when, getting within three hundred yards of the enemy's works, we came to ind and poured into him right and left. In the meantime ¢he Essex had been disabled, and drifted away from the sceno of action, leaying the Cincinnati, Carondelet and St. Louis alone engaged. At precisely forty minutes past one o'clock the enemy struck his colors, and such cheering, such wild excite- ment as seized the throats, arms or caps of the four or five hundred sailors of the gunboats, can be imagined. After the surrender, which was made to Flag Officer by General Lloyd Tilghman, defended his fort in a most determined manner, we found that the rebel iafantry, encamped outside the fort, numbering four or five thousand, bad cut and run, leaving the rebe! artillery company in command of the'fort. Foote who ‘The fort mounted seventeen guns, moat of them thirty- two and thirty-four pounders, one being a magnificent ten inch columbiad. Our shots dismounted two of their guna, driving the enemy into the embrasures. Ono of their rif_ed thirty-two pounders burst during the engage- ment, wounding some of their gunners. The rebels claimed to have but eleven effective guns, worked by ‘fifty-four men—the number all told ef our prisoners. They lost five killed and ten badiy wounded. ‘Tho infantry left everything in their flight. A vast deal of plunder has fallen into our hands, including « large and valuable quantity of ordnance stores. Gen. Tilghman is disheartened. He thinks itone of the most damaging blows of the war. In surrendering to Flag OMcer Foote the rebel General remarked, “I am glad to surrender to 60 gailant an officer.” Flag Oficer Foote replied, “You do perfectly right, sir, in surrender. ing, but you should have blown my boats out of the wa- tor before 1 would have surrendered to you.” In the engagement the Cincinnati was in tho lead, and, flying the fing officer's pennant, was the chief mark. Fiag Officer Foote and Captain Stembel crowded her de- flantly into the teeth of the enemy's gune. She got thirty-one shots, some of them going completely through her. Tho K was badly crippled when about half Abrough the fight, and crowding steadily against the exemy. A ball went into her side forward port, througl her heavy bulkhead, and squarely through one of her boliers, the escaping steam scalding and killing several of éhe crew. Captain Porter, his aid, C. P. Britton, Jr., and Paymaster Lewis were standing in @ direct line ef tho balls paseing, Mr. Britton being in the centre of the group. A shot struck Mr, Britton on the top of his head, scattering bis brains @very direction. The eseaping eteam wort into the pilot house, instantly killing Mesers, Ford and Bride, pilote. Many of the soldiers at the rush of steam jumped over. board and were drowned. in The Cincinnati had one killod and six wounded. The Eesex bad six seamon and two officers killed, seventeen men wounded and five missing. There were no casualties on the St. Louis or Carandelet, though the shot and shell fell upon thom Hike rain. The St, Louis was commanded by Leonard Paulding, who stood npom she gunboat and workod the guns to the last, Notaman flinched, aod with cheer upom cheer seut the shot and shel! among the onewy, THE PURSUIT OF THE FLYING ENEMY. Papucan, Ky., Feb. 7, 1862." Gen. Smith on the west, and Gen. Grant on the east side of the Tennessee river, are pursuing the retreating rebels. It is reported and credited by some of our officers, that the rebel troops at Fort Henry were not true to the rebel cause, and took advantage of the opportunity offered by an attack to runaway from @ fight that was distasteful to them. OFFICIAL REPORTS. GENBRAL HALLECK TO GENERAL M’CLBLLAN. Sr. Louis, Feb. 7, 1862. Fort Henry is ours! The flag of the Union is re- established on the soil of Tennessee. It will never be re" moved. By command of Major General HALLECK. W. W. Sura, Captain and Aid-de-Camp. COMMODORE FOOTE TO SECRETARY WELLES. U. 8. Fiaasuy Cixcurxart, Orr Font, Haxnr, } ‘Texwasane River, Feb. 6, 1862. The gunboats under my command—the Essex, Com- mander Porter; the Carondelet, Commander Walker; the Cincinnati, Commander Stembel; the St. Louis, Liew tenant commanding Paulding; the Conestoga, Lieu- tenant commanding Phelps; the Taylor, Lieutenant com manding Gwinn, and the Lexington, Lieutenant com- manding Shirk—after a severo and rapid fire of one hour and a quarter, have captured Fort Henry, and have taken General Lioyd Tilghman and his staff, with eixty men, as prisoners. The surrender to the guuboats was unconditional, as we kept an open fire upon the enemy until their flag was struck. In half an hour after the surrender I handed the fort and prisoners over to General Grant, commanding the army, on his arrival at the fort in force. The Eesex had # shot in her boilers, after ghting most effectually for two-thirds of the action, and was obliged to drop down the river. I bear that several of her men were scalded to death, including the two pilots. She, with the other gumboats, officers and men, fought with the greatest gallantry. ‘The Cincinnati received thirty-one shots, and had one man killed and eight wounded, two seriously. The fort, with twenty guns and seveateen mortars, wae defended by General Tilghman with the most determined gallantry. I will write a8 soon a8 possible. 1 have sent Lieutenant commanding Phillips and three gunboats after the rebel gunboats. A. H. FOOTE, Flag Officer. THE NEWS OF THE VICTORY IN CONGRESS, Wasmator , Feb. 7, 1862. Mr. Sedgwick caused the despatch from Flag OMicer Foote toSecretary Welles, of the victory at Fort Henry, to be read to the Honse, and it was received with great demonstrations of applause. THE NEWS OF THE VICTORY ON THE UPPER POTOMAC. Pooumsriix, Feb. 7, 1862. ‘Official information has been received here to the effect that the rebels have been defeated on the Tennessee river, in Tennessee, with a loss of twenty heavy ceunon. ‘The amount of fighting or the losses on either sido in men are not stated, but the rebel General Tilghman and wtadl, with sixty other prisoners, have fallen into the hands of our victorious troope. There is great rejoicing over the victory in this divi- sion, and General Gorman, commanding here, haa ordered a salute of thirty-four gups, one for every State in the Union, South Carolina included, THE PRELIMINARY DETAILS, ‘The intelligence received yesterday of the capture of the rebel Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river, following #0 closely on the Union victory at Mill Spring, naturally cronted intenes excitement in this city and elsewhore. To those remote from the scene of these achievements, and those who pay little attention to the details and immense labor to accompliah these grand re. alte, we will try and elucidate the matter, eo that it mony be sean that the victory we now chromicle is but the remult of @ grueral and well digested plan of our Union military aad eave! commanders. First, wo will gate that the capture o° Fort Homy, and | the other places which we shall notice hereafter, was not the result of accident, aor were the grounds moved over not thoroughly known to the Union commanders. On the contrary, the ground passed over had been thoroughly reconnoitered, and everything done was accomplished understandingly and with bold determination. The capture of Fort Henry per 8- ‘appears to the superficial reader in the light of a naval victory. Directly it was; but in detail the vic tory was a combination betweon the military and naval forces, the latter having the moral support of the former. From time to time we have published in the HeraLp accounts of the movements of the land and naval forces at Cairo; but, as their intended operations were kept quietly in the minds of those by whom they were to be carried into effect, to the outside world they presented a jumbled, mixed state of affairs, with no immediate or ulterior design. The public received the accounts of the apparent inactivity of our forces with no little dissatisfaction; but so far as | General Halleck’s department is concerned the veil is now drawn, and , presto, appear: record of one of the most brilliant achievements that has yet appeared in the his- tory of the present gigantic rebellion. The initiatory steps towards the victory which we now record were commenced some time in the early part of January. Like all great military move- | ments, before the great blow is struck it is necessary to make a reconnoissance of the point to be attacked; and as the present ohe was for no less design than an attemp, of the enemy’s left flank in Tennessee, where they were in large force, strongly fortified and intrenched, it be came necessary, In making a reconnoissance of the ene my’s stronghold, to make it in ferce. In other words, to make it with such a numerical body, in case the enemy forced a battle, as to be in a condition to accommodate them. General Halleck accordingly made such details for this service as the sequel will show have accom- plished all he designed, and that highly satisfactory to bimself and the country. Passing from the unnecessary details relative to the Union troops had caused much excitement among the rebels, and. caused them to withdraw their forces from Fort Boauregard, Jackson, New Madrid and other places. On the 16th the forces marched te Milburn, and from thence the commander sent detachment to Mayfield, where it communicated with General Smith's brigade from Paducah. 4 On the 17th, the object of the expedition having been accomplished , the entire force under McClernand re- traced their steps and returned to Cairo in the same or der as they came, having travelled a distance of one hun- dred and forty miles, obtaining the fullest information of the nature of the ground over which they had passed. MOVEMENTS OF GEN. SMITH’S BRIGADE. On the 21st of January Brigadier General C. F. Smith’s brigade, consisting of 6,000 men, cavalry, artillery and infantry, arrived at Crown Point—a point on the Teanes- | see river—from Paducah, having marched a distance of one hundred and twenty miles over muddy roads, and crossing numerous swollen water cou On the 224 ult., the day after the arrival of the brigade at Crown Point, General Smith procecded on a personal re- connoissance, on the gunboat Lexington, in the direction of Fort Henry. The gunboat proceeded up-the west chan- nel of the river, to ® point within one mile and a half of the fort, Three revel steamers wore discovered lying off | the mouth of the smal? creek that empties into the Ten- | neste river just above the fort. A well directed shell was fired from the Lexington, striking one of the rebel craft in the stern. A second sbeil fell short of its mark just in front of the enemy’s works; a third burst in the air, directly over Fort Henry, doubtless doing good exe- cution. The rebels in the fort then brought out a thirty- two-pounder gun to bear on the Lexington, the shot from which fell into the water one-half mile short of its mark. General Smith obtained an excellent view of the rebel fort, camp and garrison, and immediately returned with his brigade te Paducah, having met with the fullest suc- coss in the reconnoissance. preparing troops for a march, we will state that on the 9th of January alarge force of Unien troops—cavalry, artillery and infantry—under the command of Brigadier General McClernand, left Cairo, Iiinois, for @ reconnoissance in Southwestern Kentucky , towards the Tenuessee border, in the direction of Columbus. This force numbered about 7,000 men. Cotemporaneously with this movement of McClernand’s brigade, another force of nearly equal strength, under Brigadier General Paine marched from Bird’s Point, opposite Cairo, im the direction of Charles- ten, Missouri, and thence to the Ohio river, to observe the movements of the rebeis at Columbus on the river front. About the same time another brigade, numbering six thousand men, under Brigadier General C. F. Smith, moved from Paducah to Mayfield, Kentucky, and to wards Columbus, and another force from Cairo to Smith- land, a point on the Obio river, between the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Besides these land forces, and in co-operation with them, several Union gunboats, under the command of Captain Porter, proceeded down the Obio river and within two miles of Colurabus. The movement of these forces, as before stated, was all for the same object, each having its sphere of action con- ducing to a common result—the reconnoitering of tho enemy’s left flank. ‘The most active part taken in this grand reconnois’ eanco was done under the command of Gen. McClernand, co-operating with his senior and chief of the whole movement, General Grant. Gen, MoClernand’s brigade, conveyed in river trans- ports, loft Cairo on the 10th ult, for old Fort Jefferson, Ky., about fifteen miles distant. He disembarked his force on the following day and encamped. On the 12th he made a demonstration, in the direction of Columbus, with aforce of six companies of cavalry and two regi- ments of infantry, marching for several miles, until they observed the rebel Fort Beauregard, Intront of this work was seen a strong abatis of fallen timber, extending over a distance of half a mile,and surrounding the enemy's intrenebmenta. The rigor of the weather and the non- appearance of any considerable force of the enemy led the Union commander to the belief that the rebels were massed within their intrenchmente, The object of the reconnoissance being not to engage the enemy, if it could be avoided, the party returned the same day to Fort Jefferson. On the 13th another party of Union troops left Fort Jefferson and proceeded to Blandavilie, where it selected &@ strong position for an encampment. On the 14th the wholo of McClernand’s force marched to Blandsville. They moved in two columne, with strong guards in advance, 80 as to command the approaches to Columbus and both bridges across Mayfield creek. On the 15th an advance was made to Weston, within ton miles of Columbus, going thenee to the southwest of the latter ¢o Milburn, taking the town by surprise. Gen, Grant at thig point assumed command of the troops. At this place a san €ame into camp who had just arrived from Columbus, From him was obtained valuable infor: mation respecting {he condition of the rebels at that | place, This refugee plated that the movements of the | THE OCCUPATION OF SMITHLAND. General Grant ordered the occupation of Smithland, the location of which we have already stated, as that point occupies a central position, and is of considerable Strategical value, as @ force stationed there would be at all times ready to co-operate with any movement, either on the Tennessee or Cumberland river, as circumstances might require. Thus it will be seen, from the brief resume of the movements of the several brigradies of General Grant's first expedition towards Columbus, it was not, as some supposed, @ failure, but, on the contrary, was a’ decided success in the objects for which it left Cairo. ‘The second expedition, the result of which we now record, was based upon the information derived from the first, and its grand and glorious result has ero this sent a thrill of gladness throughout the loyal States of the Union, It must be remembered, also, by our readers, that what has now been accomplished has been done by our troops amid great hardships, in marching over muddy roads, amid rain and sleet, with little or no fa- ci'ities for shielding [them from the severity of the unpropitious weather. IMPORTANCE OF THE SIEZURE OF THE RAILROAD. The capture of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad bridge, as mentioned in the above despatch, secures an im portant strategical position, to which others must, in the course of military events, be auxiliary, It in effect turns the enemy's left Sank, cuts off the communication between Memphis and Bowling Green, from which the latter is dependent for its supplies, and isolates Columbus from Bowling Green; so that for all military purposes communication is cutoff between the rebels at these points. No doubt the federal force will push on until they reach the Nashville and Memphis Railroad, near Cam. den, Tenn. This point, once in our possession, will cut off Hickman and Memphis from Nashvil This accomplished, then goodbye to Generals Jobnston, Beaure- gard, Buckner and the rebel host. There will be noneces- sity then to attack Columbus or Bowling Green. Starvation will do the work. The New Orleans Delta, in a late edition, says:—' The safety of the whole South depends on the result of the battle at Columbus. This place once taken, there can be no qffectual resistance at other points.” In military philosophy @ position tarmed and besieged is equal toa place captured. Hence, according to the New Orleans Delta, the safety of the whole South is in jeo- pardy, DESCRIPTION OF FORT HENRY. ‘This fort, the only fortification on the Tennesses river of much importance, is situated near the line of Ken. tneky and Tennessee, on the east bank of the stream. It stands in the bottom, about the high water mark, just below the bend in the river, and at the head of a straight stretch of about two miles. It therefore commands the river for that distance down stream, and very little else twelve-pounders and two six-pounders. The thirty-two and twelve-pounders are heavy guns, and the six-pound- ers light pieces. On the opposite side of the river are three hills, which completely command the fort. Re- cently some new fortifications were commenced on these hills, where {t was intended to mount some very Jarge guns and three rifled cannon. ‘The late rebel garrison was composed as follows:— Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman, commanding. STAFF. Captain Powhatan Ullis, Assistant Adjutant General. Captain S.C. Morris, Aid-de-Camp. Fourth Mississippi regiment.” 88 ment. Seventh Mrewisaippl regiment. Regiment Louisiaba Volunteers. First Kentucky Volunteers. One regiment rebel cavalry. THE TENNESSEE GUNBOAT FLEET. OFFICERS OF THE FLEET. Flag Officer .. Fleet Captain Ordnance Officer. «Lieut. J. P. Sanford, U.S. N. Ordnance Lieutenant....,Lieut. Byron Wilson. Flag Lieutenant... James M. Prickett. Act. Paymaster, 2d Chief.S. Henriquos, Tho following are the gunboats, with their offccis, engaged in the fight:— * __ GUNBOAT ESSEX, NINE GUNS. Commander—Wm. D. Porter, United States Navy. Mastere—First, Robert K. Riley; Second, James Lan- ——— Theodore P. Ferry; Fourth, George W. Assistant Surgeon—Thomas Rice. Acting Paymaster—J H. Lewis. Pilots—J. McBride and Marshall H. Ford. Masters’ Mates—James B. Gray and Samuel B. Brittan. Engincere—Chicf, Charles Blaisdell; First Assistant, R. J. Stearns; Second Assistant, George D. Simon; Third As- sistant, J. Wetzel. Gunner—M. B. Snyder. Armorer— —— Fletcher. Carpenter—Thomas Steel. GUNBOAT ST. LOUIS, THIRTEEN GUNS, Lieutenant Commanding—Laonard Paulding, United States Navy. Masters—First, Samuel Black; Second, James Y.Ciem- son; Third, Charles 8. Kendrick; Fourth, Alex. Fraser. Acting: "gaan "faded Curry. fc Surgeon— —— 5 Masters’ Mates—*, H, McAdams and James P. Paulding. Pilots—Frank Riley and Robert G. Baldwin. Sittnccrs —Chiet W Carswell; First Assistant, T. F. jet, W. well; Fi stant, T. F. ; ‘Assistant, James L. Smith; Third As sistant, John Wilcoxen. Carpenter—Robert H. Medill. GUNBOAT CINCINNATI, THIRTEEN GUNS. Commander—R. N. Stembel, United States Navy. Masters—First, vacant; Sécond, —— Pratt} Tbird, Charles G. Perkins; Fourth, John Pearce. jacob Kinsey. ane Proctor. Isaac D. Gi and H. Atten’ rb. Masters’ bap oe itp Sheil. cB. Stembel and Engineers—Chief, W. (ioderlena:; First Assistant, 8. Second J. armatrong; Third Assis- GUNBOAT CARONDELET, THIRTEEN GUNS, Commander—Heary Walke, United States Navy. Masters—First, Richard K. Wade; Second, John Dorety ; Third, Charles C. Gray; Fourth, H.'A. Walke. Pilots—Williara Henton and Daniel Weaver. s janes , McNee! Paymasier—George J. W. Nexsen. Marters’ Mctes—Theodore 1. Gillman and Raward E, Brennard. ‘ Engineere—Chief, W. H. Faulkner: Fires Assistant, Charles H. Caven; Second Assistant, Samwvel 8, Brooke ;! Third Assistant, Angustus F, Crowell Ca 0, Donaldson, Gunner—Richard Adams. Armorer—H. H. Rhodes, GUNBOAT CONRSTOGA, NIXE GUN, Lieutenant Commanding— —— Pheips, U. 8. N. Masters—Firat, John A. Duble; Second, Charles P. Now ble; Third, Benjamin Sebastian. Assistant Surgeon—William H. Wilson, Acting Paymaster=-Aifrod Phelps. Enginsers—Chief, Thomas Cook, First assistant, Alex. Magee: Third Assistant, Michael Norton. Masters’ Mates—James Kearney, Richard H, Cuttee, Qunner—Henry Hamilton. Carpenter. irew Woodlock. Armorer—James O'Neil. GUNBOAT TAYLOR, FINS GUNS. Lieutenant Commanding—W. Gwin, U. 8. N. Masters—First, Edward Shaw; Second, Jason Goudy; Third, Jaries Martin, Pilot-—Jobn Sebastian, David Hiner, ineere—Chief, Samuel Goble; Firat Assistant, D. Fuward Weaver; Second Assistant, Edward W. Goble. ‘Third Assistant, Oscar 8. Davis. Armorer—Eiihu Stevens. Acting Pavmaster—W. B. Coleman, Atsisiant Surgeon—1. H. Kearney. Carpenter—Thomas Russell, rman Peters, U. 8 dinand T. N. Coleman, Baward 0, Brainard. DESCRIPTION OF THE GUNBOATS, ‘The gunboats St. Louis, Rasex and Cincinnati are abone one hundred and seventy-five feet in length, Afty-one feet and a half in breadth, and draw five feet when | joaded. ‘The bows and bulwarks conist of about three | foot of onk timber, bolted together and sheathed with The land around it isa little higher than the fort, anda | the best quality of wrought iron plates two apd « belt portion of it is covered with timber, ‘The acm she fort cousista of mont of | juches th ox eight thirty-two poundere, four * The sites hae the sume shenching, wit {CONTINUED ON EIGHTH PAGE.)