Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Captain: Enclosed I send you my order for the attack upon Fort Henry. Owing to despatches received from Major-Gen. Halleck, and corroborating information here, to the effect that the enemy were rapidly reinforcing, I thought it imperatively necessary that the Fort should be carried to-day. My forces were not up at ten o'clock last night, when my order was written, therefore I did not deem it practicable to set an earlier hour than eleven o'clock to-day, to commence the investment. The gunboats started up at the same hour to commence the attack, and engage the enemy at not over six hundred yards. In little over one hour all the batteries were silenced, and the Fort surrendered at discretion to Flag-Officer Foote, giving us all their guns, camp and garrison equipage, etc. The prisoners taken are Gen. Tilghman and staff, Capt. Taylor and company, and the sick. The garrison, I think, must have commenced their retreat last night, or at an early hour this morning.

Had I not felt it an imperative necessity to attack Fort Henry to-day, I should have made the investment complete, and delayed until to-morrow, so as to secure the garrison. I do not now believe, however, the result would have been any more satisfactory.

The gunboats have proven themselves well able to resist a severe cannonading. All the iron-clad boats received more or less shots — the flag-ship some twenty-eight--without any serious damage to any, except the Essex. This vessel received one shot in her boiler, that disabled her, killing and wounding some thirty-two men, Capt. Porter among the wounded.

I remain your obedient servant,

General orders, No. 1:

The First division, Gen. McClernand Commanding, will move at eleven o'clock A. M., to-morrow, under the guidance of Lieut.-Col. McPherson, and take a position on the roads from Fort Henry to Donelson and Dover.

It will be the special duty of this command to prevent all reenforcements to Fort Henry or escape from it. Also, to be held in readiness to charge and take Fort Henry by storm, promptly on the receipt of orders.

Two brigades of the Second division, Gen. C. F. Smith Commanding, will start at the same hour from the west bank of the river, and take and occupy the heights commanding Fort Henry. This point will be held by so much artillery as can be made available, and such other troops as, in the opinion of the general commanding the Second division, may be necessary for its protection.

The Third brigade, Second division, will advance up the east bank of the Tennessee River, as fast as it can be securely done, and be in readiness to charge upon the Fort, or move to the support of the First division, as may be necessary.

All the forces on the west bank of the river, not required to hold the heights commanding Fort henry, will return to their transports, cross to the east bank, and follow the First brigade as fast as possible.

The west bank of the Tennessee River, not having been reconnoitred, the commanding officer entrusted with taking possession of the enemy's works there, will proceed with great caution, and such information as can be gathered, and such guides as can be found in the time intervening, before eleven o'clock to morrow.

The troops will receive two days rations of bread and meat in their haversacks.

One company of the Second division, armed with rifles, will be ordered to report to Flag-Officer Foote, as sharpshooters, on board the gunboats.

By order,

The gunboats under my command, the Essex, Commander Porter; the Carondelet, Commander Walke; the Cincinnati, Commander Stembel; the St. Louis, Lieut. Commanding Paulding; the Conestoga, Lieut. Commanding Phelps; the Tyler, Lieut. Commanding Gwin; and the Lexington, Lieut. Commanding Shirk, after a severe and rapid fire of an hour and a quarter, have captured Fort Henry, and taken Gen. Lloyd Tilghman and his staff, and sixty men as prisoners. The surrender to the gunboats 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 Gen. Grant, commanding the army, on his arrival at he Fort in force.

The Essex had a shot in her boiler after fighting [68] most effectively for two thirds of the action, and was obliged to drop down the river. I hear that several of her men were scalded to death, including the two pilots. She, with the other gunboats' 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 seventeen mortars, was defended by Gen. Tilghman with the most determined gallantry. I will write as soon as possible.

I have sent Lieut. Commanding Phelps and three gunboats up after the rebel gunboats.

sir: I have the honor to report that on the sixth instant, at half-past 12 o'clock P. M., I made an attack on Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, with the iron-clad gunboats Cincinnati, Commander Stembel, (the flag-ship;) the Essex, Commander Porter; the Carondelet, Commander Walke; and the St. Louis, Lieut. Commanding Paulding; also taking with me the three old gunboats Conestoga, Lieut. Commanding Phelps; the Tyler, Lieut. Commanding Gwin; and the Lexington, Lieut. Commanding Shirk, as a second division, in charge of Lieut. Commanding Phelps, which took a position astern and in-shore of the armed boats, doing good execution there in the action, while the armed boats were placed in the first order of steaming, approaching the Fort in a parallel line.

The fire was opened at one thousand seven hundred yards distance from the flag-ship, which was followed by the other gunboats and responded to by the Fort. As we approached the Fort, slow steaming till we reached within six hundred yards of the rebel batteries, the fire both from the gunboats and the Fort increased in rapidity and accuracy of range.

At twenty minutes before the flag was struck, the Essex unfortunately received a shot in her boilers, which resulted in the wounding and scalding of twenty-nine officers and men, including Commander Porter, as will be seen in the enclosed list of casualties.

The Essex then necessarily dropped out of line astern, entirely disabled and unable to continue the fight, in which she had so gallantly participated until the sad catastrophe.

The firing continued with unabated rapidity and effect upon the three gunboats, as they continued still to approach the Fort with their destructive fire, until the rebel flag was hauled down, after a very severe and closely contested action of one hour and fifteen minutes.

A boat containing the Adjutant-General and Captain of Engineers came alongside after the flag was lowered, and reported that Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, the commander of the Fort, wished to communicate with the flag-officer, when I despatched Commander Stembel and Lieut. Commanding Phelps, with orders to hoist the American flag where the rebel ensign had been flying, and to inform Gen. Tilghman that I would see him on board the flag-ship. He came on board soon after the Union had been substituted for the rebel flag on the Fort, and possession taken of it. I received the General and his staff, and some sixty or seventy men, as prisoners, and a hospital-ship, containing sixty invalids, together with the Fort and its effects, mounting twenty guns, mostly of heavy calibre, with barracks and tents capable of accommodating fifteen thousand men, and sundry articles, which, as I turned the Fort and its effects over to Gen. Grant, commanding the army, on his arrival, in an hour after we had made the capture, he will be enabled to give the Government a more correct statement of than I am enabled to communicate from the short time I had possession of the Fort.

The plan of the attack, so far as the army reaching the rear of the Fort to make a demonstration simultaneous with the navy, was frustrated by the excessively muddy roads and the high stage of water, preventing the arrival of our troops until some time after I had taken possession of the Fort.

On securing the prisoners, and making the necessary preliminary arrangements, I despatched. Lieut. Commanding Phelps, with his division, up the Tennessee River, as I had previously directed, and as will be seen in the enclosed order to him, to remove the rails, and so far render the bridge of the railroad for transportation and communication between Bowing Green and Columbus useless, and afterwards to pursue the rebel gunboats and secure their capture, if possible.

This being accomplished, and the army in possession of the Fort, and my services being indispensable at Cairo, I left Fort henry in the evening of the same day, with the Cincinnati, Essex and St. Louis, and arrived here this morning.

The armed gunboats resisted effectually the short of the enemy, when striking the casemates.

The Cincinnati, the flag-ship, received thirty-one shots; the Essex, fifteen; the St. Louis, seven; and the Carondelet, six; killing one and wounding nine in the Cincinnati, and killing one in the Essex, while the casualties in the latter from steam amounted to twenty-eight in number. The Carondelet and St. Louis met with no casualties.

The steamers were admirably handled by their commanders and officers, presenting only their bow-guns to the enemy, to avoid the exposure of the vulnerable parts of their vessels.

Lieut. Commanding Phelps, with his division, also executed my orders very effectually, and promptly proceeded up the river in their further execution after the capture of the Fort. In fact, all the officers and men gallantly performed their duty, and, considering the little experience they have had under fire, far more than realized my expectations.

Fort henry was defended, with the most determined gallantry, by Gen. Tilghman, worthy of a better cause, who, from his own account, went into the action with eleven guns of heavy calibre bearing upon our boats, which he fought until [69] seven of the number were dismantled, or otherwise rendered useless.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to report that the casualties on board this vessel, during the bombardment of Fort Henry, from the effects of the enemy's fire, were: Killed, one; wounded, nine; total, ten.

Respectfully,

sir: As Capt. Porter is unable to write, he has advised me to send you a list of killed, wounded and missing on this vessel:

W. D. Porter, commander, scalded.

J. H. Lewis, paymaster, scalded.

T. P. Perry, third master, scalded badly.

S. B. Brittan, master's mate, killed by cannon-shot.

James McBride, pilot, killed by scalding.

William H. Ford, pilot, killed by scalding.

John Matthews, quartermaster, badly scalded.

A. D. Waterman, captain of forecastle, missing.

Henry Gemper, fireman, missing.

Samuel Bayer, fireman, scalded badly.

John Santz, fireman, missing.

James Coffey, seaman, killed by scalding.

N. McCarty, seaman, scalded.

H. Hagan, seaman, scalded.

Dana Wilson, seaman, killed by scalding.

Ben. Harrington, seaman, scalded badly.

Wm. O'Brien, seaman, scalded badly.

Thos. Mullen, seaman, scalded slightly.

W. H. Maxey, seaman, scalded badly.

T. Sullivan, seaman, scalded badly.

Jas. Bedard, seaman, missing.

J. P. Beers, seaman, killed by scalding.

John O. Hara, seaman, scalded.

John Castello, seaman, scalded.

J. J. Phillips, seaman, scalded.

B. Lonla, seaman, scalded.

H. Reynolds, seaman, missing.

James Argus, seaman, scalded.

Thomas Mullett, seaman, badly scalded.

In addition to the above, we had nineteen soldiers injured, of which several have since died.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The officers and crew of that portion of the gunboat flotilla, which was engaged in the capture of Fort Henry, on the sixth instant, already have had their brilliant services and gallant conduct favorably noticed by the Commanding General of the Western army, and by the Secretary of the Navy, conveying the assurance that the President of the United States, the Congress, and the country, appreciate their gallant deeds, and proffer to them the profound thanks of the Navy Department for the services rendered.

In conveying these pleasing tidings that our services are acknowledged by the highest authorities of the Government, you will permit me to add that in observing the good order, coolness, courage, and efficiency of officers and men in the memorable action between the gunboats and the fort, that I shall ever cherish, with the liveliest interest, all the officers and men who participated in the battle, and, in the future shall, with increased hope and the greatest confidence, depend upon all officers and men attached to the flotilla, in the performance of every duty, whether in the fight or the laborious work of its preparation.

Three times three cheers, and another, and yet another, and one cheer more! The soldiers of the Union have won another victory, and an important rebel stronghold has fallen into our hands. Fort Henry, one of the most extensive and important fortifications in the confederacy, and, in fact, the key to the whole chain of fortifications which the rebels had stretched across the country from the Potomac to the Mississippi, is now ours, and the Star-Spangled Banner now floats where for many months the rebel “stars and bars” have flaunted in traitorous defiance.

For more than three weeks, very quiet but unmistakable preparations for a movement of some kind had been visible at Cairo, and other points within Gen. Grant's military jurisdiction, and although no flaming telegrams this time announced the fact in advance to a startled public, it was evident to a close observer that some event of more than ordinary gravity was in contemplation. So very secretly were the preparations conducted, that no intimation of the destination, size, or probable time of the expedition could be obtained from those supposed to be in the secret, and we could only watch and wait.

From certain indications, I had for several days concluded that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, near the boundary line dividing the States of Kentucky and Tennessee, was the point aimed at; indeed, I believe I intimated as much in some of my previous letters, and I was not surprised to learn, on Saturday, the first of February, that some ten regiments of infantry, together with artillery and cavalry, then at Cairo, had received orders to be in readiness to embark next day, with three days rations in their haversacks. But the embarkation of such a force, with horses, wagons, baggage and equipments, is no slight labor, and it was not until afternoon of Monday that the last of the transports left Cairo, and steamed up the Ohio in the direction of Paducah. Arriving at this point during the same evening, the boats halted for a short time, while some changes [70] were made in the disposition of the troops on board, and soon the whole fleet, under convoy of the gunboats Essex, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Carondelet, Lexington, Tyler and Conestoga, were ploughing their way swiftly up the muddy Tennessee, toward the Fort. When morning dawned, it revealed the transports safely moored to the bank, within ten miles of the rebel fortification. The Fort is situated on the right bank of the Tennessee, about seventy miles above its junction with the Ohio, and about ten miles south of the State line.

Soon after our arrival, three of the gunboats, under orders from Gen. Grant, proceeded cautiously toward the fort, shelling as they went, the woods on either side, to discover any concealed batteries, which might exist there, and afterward the Fort itself, to draw its fire, and ascertain the range of its guns. In the course of this reconnoissance, the Essex received a shot from a thirty-two-pound rifled gun, penetrating a corner of the Captain's cabin, which was not protected by sheathing, and splintering the woodwork to some extent, but doing no other damage. The aim of this gun was generally very accurate, the shots falling always in line of our boats, and frequently very close to them. The other guns of the Fort were less skilfully handled. Having ascertained thus the nearest distance within which it would be safe to disembark, the transports again started, and moved up to within about four miles of the Fort, where the troops were landed, and prepared to encamp for the night. The next day was consumed in making the necessary disposition of the troops for the attack, which was set for Thursday, the sixth inst.

During the day the gunboats Tyler and Conestoga went up the river, and succeeded in removing six torpedoes, or infernal machines, which the rebels had sunk in the channel below the fort, in the hope of blowing up or disabling our fleet when it should attempt to approach them. These instruments were constructed of boiler-iron, were about five feet in length, and contained sixty pounds of powder each. Had they been suffered to remain and explode, as they were intended to do, they would doubtless have inflicted serious damage to the boats; but Capts. Phelps and Walke succeeded in removing them without injury. During this time, a small river steamer, which had been employed by the rebels as a ferry-boat, between the Fort and the railroad, which crosses the river fifteen miles above, came out several times, from behind the shelter of an island, where she was ensconced, to take observations of our proceedings, but retired again before our boats could get a shot at her.

That night our troops, with the exception of Gen. Smith's brigade, which had crossed to the west side of the river, encamped on a ridge of hills parallel with the river, and about half a mile from it. Their camp-fires, scattered all along the sides of the ridge among the trees, for more than a mile, presented that night one of the most beautiful sights I have ever witnessed, and no doubt being observed by the enemy, gave the impression that our force was much larger than was really the case. Probably this might have had something to do in causing their precipitate flight afterward.

During the night a tremendous storm arose, accompanied with thunder and lightning, thoroughly soaking the soft clay soil, and rendering locomotion, especially in the low grounds, almost impossible.

In spite of this impediment, however, early the next morning order was given to prepare to march, and the forces were soon formed in four divisions, as follows: the First and Second brigades, comprising the Eighth, Eighteenth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first; Eleventh, Twentieth, Forty-fifth, and Forty-eighth Illinois regiments, with one regiment, (the Fourth Illinois,) and four independent companies of cavalry and four batteries of artillery, the whole under command of Brig.-Gen. McClernand, were to move across the country to a point on the road leading from the Fort to the town of Dover, on the Cumberland, for the purpose of preventing the enemy from receiving reinforcements from that direction, or of making their escape by that route, should the gunboats succeed in driving them from their intrenchments.

The Second division, comprising the Seventh, Ninth, Twelfth, Twenty-eighth, and Forty-first Illinois regiments, the Eleventh Indiana, the Seventh and Twelfth Iowa, the Eighth and Thirteenth Missouri, with artillery and cavalry, under the command of Gen. Smith, were to move up the west bank of the river, take possession of and occupy a hill overlooking the Fort, which the enemy had begun to fortify; and then a portion of the force was to re-cross the river and reinforce Gen. McClernand. Meantime, the gunboats, under command of the veteran Con. Foote, were directed to shell the Fort, and, if possible, drive the rebels from their guns. Thus surrounded and attacked on three sides at once, it was hoped that the enemy might be driven from their strong intrenchments and fall into our hands. An unconquerable determination held the minds of all, from the General commanding to the lowest private, not to return until our object was accomplished; but still, it was with much anxiety and caution that at the appointed hour of eleven the troops commenced to move forward. The forces of the enemy had been reported as probably fully equal in number to our own; they were well acquainted with the country and the facilities it afforded for attack or defence, and possessed the advantage of fighting under cover, upon ground cleared of all obstructions, while our attack must be made upon ground ill adapted by nature for the movement of troops, and rendered almost impassable by the timber which the rebels bad felled for some distance on every side.

I had taken my own position with the advance of Gen. McClernand's column, thinking that the place for obtaining a view of the affair, and by noon the whole column was in motion. Our route was along a rough cart-path which twisted and turned about among the high wooded hills, [71] in a most perplexing manner. The storm of the previous night had soaked the soft alluvial soil of the bottoms, until under the tread of the troops it speedily became reduced to the consistency of soft porridge of almost immeasurable depth, rendering marching very difficult for the infantry, and for artillery almost impassable. For some three hours we thus struggled along, when suddenly the roar of a heavy gun came booming over the hills, and another and another, told us that the gunboats had commenced the attack. For an instant the entire column seemed to halt to listen, then springing forward, we pushed on with redoubled vigor. But mile after mile of slippery hills and muddy swamps were passed over, and still the Fort seemed no nearer. We could plainly hear the roar of the guns, and the whistle of the huge shells through the air, but the high hills and dense woods completely obstructed the view.

Suddenly the firing ceased. We listened for it to recommence, but all was still. We looked in each other's faces, and wonderingly asked: “What does it mean? Is it possible that our gunboats have been beaten back?” --for that the rebels should abandon, this immense fortification, on which the labor of thousands had been expended for months, after barely an hour's defence, and before our land troops had even come in sight of them, seemed too improbable to believe. Cautiously we pressed forward, but ere long one of our advance scouts came galloping back, announcing that the rebels had abandoned the Fort, and seemed to be forming in line of battle on the hills adjoining. With a cheer our boys pressed forward. Soon came another messenger, shouting that the enemy had abandoned their intrenchments completely, and were now in full retreat through the woods. On we went, plunging through the deep mud and fording swollen creeks, until, on the summit of a hill higher than any we had previously surmounted, we came upon the outer line of the rebel fortifications. An earthen breastwork, defended by an immense long rifle-pit, stretched away on either side until it was lost to sight in the thick woods. Outside this the timber had been felled in a belt of several rods in width, forming a barrier very difficult for footmen, and utterly impassable for cavalry. This breastwork inclosed fully a square mile. Crossing it and pushing onward, we came soon to another similar line of defence, and further on still another before we reached the Fort itself — and crossing a deep slough which protects it on the land side, we stood within the rebel stronghold.

The Fort is of the class known as a full bastioned earthwork, standing directly upon the bank of the river, and encloses about two acres. It mounts seventeen heavy guns, including one teninch Columbiad, throwing a round shot of one hundred and twenty-eight pounds weight, one breech-loading rifled gun, carrying a sixty pound elongated shot, twelve thirty-two-pounders, one twenty-four-pounder rifled, and two twelve-pound-or siege-guns. Nearly all the guns are pivoted and capable of being turned in any desired direction. The Fort is surrounded by a deep moat, and, when fully garrisoned, would be almost impregnable against any force which could be brought against it from the land side. Evidently its designers did not anticipate so formidable an attack from the river, and, certainly, nothing less well defended than our iron-clad gunboats, could have attacked it with any hope of success.

The Fort showed fearful evidence of the accuracy of our fire, and the terrible force of our heavy guns. Every port facing the river was knocked out of shape; several of the enemy's guns had been hit by our shells--one had been completely dismounted and two more disabled by our shot.

The flag-staff was hit, and every one of the small log cabins which stood thickly in the centre of the open space, was riddled through and through by shot and shells. The earthen embankment, some fourteen feet in thickness, was pierced completely through in several places, but the tenacious character of the earth prevented it from forming such breeches as would ordinarily occur.

All about the guns spots of clotted gore and fragments of human flesh, showed that many lives must have been sacrificed before the Fort finally surrendered, but only four dead bodies were found within the Fort. It is believed, however, that a number of bodies were carried off by one of the rebel boats before the surrender. During the action the rifled sixty-pound gun burst, scattering its fragments in all directions, and greatly disheartening the rebels. This was the most effective gun in the Fort, and the one which had inflicted the shot on the Essex, on the day previous. This gun had been made at the Tredegar Works in Richmond, Virginia, the same establishment which cast the great gun that burst at Columbus, Ky., some time ago, by which Gen. Polk nearly lost his life. In addition to the guns found in the Fort, nine field pieces were afterwards found by our troops, at different places along the road, where they had been abandoned by the rebels in their hurried retreat.

The particulars of the attack and capture, as I afterwards learned them, were as follows:

Soon after noon the gunboats, according to the previous plan, advanced in two divisions up the river, passing on either side of a little island lying about a mile and a half below the Fort, so as in a measure to throw a cross fire upon it.

As soon as the boats appeared in sight, the Fort opened upon them fiercely. The boats advanced slowly up the river, firing moderately, until within about a mile of the Fort, when they opened their full batteries and the battle commenced in earnest. The scene is described as being terrifically grand. The air seemed filled with the flying missiles. The heavy boom of the guns and the shrieking of the shells as they tore through the air, were echoed back from the surrounding hills, till the whole space, for miles around, seemed filled with one confused roar. The Fort was soon wrapped in a cloud of smoke, which rose lazily up and floated away over the [72] hills, and through it, the flashes of her guns broke like successive bursts of lightning.

For more than an hour this fierce conflict continued, the boats gradually approaching nearer and nearer, until within a few hundred yards of the Fort, when the rebels' fire slackened, and suddenly a white flag was raised on the ramparts; but the dense smoke prevented its being seen by the boats, and the firing still continued.

In a few moments more, the rebel flag, which had been proudly flaunting from a tall pole, in the centre of the Fort, was hauled down, and Fort Henry was ours.

Capt. Phelps, of the gunboat Conestoga, was immediately ordered by the Commodore to land and take possession. On arriving at the shore, Capt. Phelps was met by an officer wearing the uniform of a Brigadier-General in the Confederate army, who announced himself as General Lloyd Tilghman, acting Commander of the district, and who formally surrendered the Fort and the adjacent camps, with himself and about sixty others as prisoners of war. When the foremost of bur cavalry reached the spot, they found Capt. Phelps standing alone, surrounded by his prisoners, waiting for some one to come and occupy the Fort.

Sixty-three prisoners were found inside the Fort, and twenty-seven others were afterward captured by our cavalry in pursuing the enemy. Among them are a very large proportion of officers of rank, who will prove very serviceable as exchanges for some of our own valued officers now in the enemy's hands.

The list of officers, so far as I have been able to learn it, is as follows:

Brig.-Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, of Kentucky, commanding the district; Capt. Jesse Taylor, of Tennessee, Chief of artillery and Commander of the Fort; Lieut. W. O. Wotts, artillery; Lieut. G. R. G. Jones, artillery; Capt. Miller, engineer-corps; Capt. Hayden, engineer-corps; Capt. Wm. Jones, Brigade-Quartermaster; Dr. A. H. Voorhies, Brigade — Surgeon ; Dr. Horton, Surgeon Tenth Tennessee Regiment; Capt. J. McLaughlin, Quartermaster Tenth Tennessee; Major McCormick, Asst. Adj.-Gen.

Gen. Tilghman is a large, stout man, rather prepossessing in appearance, and gentlemanly in manner, after the Southern idea of a gentleman, but rather inclined to pomposity, like most of the rebel officers that I have seen. He is a graduate of West-Point, and was formerly in the United States Army. He is regarded as an excellent officer, and his capture will prove a severe loss to the Confederates. Capt. Taylor, I am informed, is also a West-Point graduate. The manner of their capture, as related by themselves, is somewhat curious.

At the commencement of the fight, Gen. Tilghman had posted a guard at the gate of the Fort, with orders to let no one pass out, but to fire upon any who attempted to escape. After the bursting of their rifle gun, and the disabling of two or three others by our shots, and while the shells were falling thickly around, the General himself, with some of his officers, attempted to make their escape, but were stopped by the sentinels, who, strictly obeying their orders, threatened them with death should they attempt to pass. Soon after, the flag was hauled down. This is the story told by the guard, who claim to have been impressed into the rebel service, and who thus retaliated. This may account for the fact of so many officers being captured within the Fort, while the entire force in the camp outside succeeded in making their escape.

It may seem a matter of surprise, at first, that the entire force of the rebels, except the garrison of the Fort, succeeded in making their escape; but certainly the last thought in the mind of any one, was that they would abandon their complicated and formidable intrenchments, without making a single attempt to defend them, especially as they had occupied the two days intervening between our arrival and the attack, in strengthening their position and bringing in reenforcements.

The very night preceding their flight, they had thus been strengthened by the arrival of a thousand cavalry, which they had sent for from Dover when our approach was first known. That they intended to fight, up to the very day of attack, is evident, and the sudden change in their plans can only be accounted for on the supposition that the approach of the gunboats struck them with a sudden panic, similar to that of our own troops at Bull Run. That this was really the case, the appearance of their camps amply proves. Had they remained and fought, as was anticipated, although there is little doubt that we could ultimately have succeeded in defeating them, it must have been at the expense of severe loss on our part.

These give ample evidence, first, that they were intended for permanent occupation; and secondly, that they were abandoned in the greatest haste. On a piece of rising ground, immediately in the rear of the Fort, were constructed a series of log-cabins, capable of accommodating three thousand men. In addition to these, tents were pitched in different parts of the encampment, far more than as many more. The tents were mostly new, of good quality, and very comfortable. Judging from appearances, the force of the rebels could not have been less than seven thousand men — perhaps more. They must have abandoned very hastily, as scarcely anything was taken away. Arms, clothing, books, papers, letters, daguerreotypes, even watches and money, were left strewn about in the wildest confusion. In some of the cabins the dishes stood on the table just as they had been left at breakfast. In others the dinner was still cooking over the fire when our men arrived. Everything denoted that the flight was the result of sudden alarm, and not of deliberate intention. The papers found included all the various documents pertaining to the management of a military camp, muster-rolls, reports of all kinds, requisitions, orders, officers' commissions, etc., etc., some of them containing valuable information. The letters were mostly [73] from Mississippi and Tennessee, indicating the quarter from which the troops came. Many of them are written in rather a desponding strain, evincing a rather uncomfortable state of affairs at home.

Some letters I saw, written by officers in the Fort, which they had not had an opportunity to send. Nearly all of them were written in the braggadocio strain so common in the rebel newspapers, expressing the utmost confidence in the strength of their position, and proclaiming their ability to whip any number of Yankees which the despot Lincoln could send against them. The clothing found was generally of home manufacture, coarse but warm and durable, and they all appear to have been amply provided for in this respect. In some of the officers' quarters, however, were left fine and costly suits of New-York and Philadelphia manufacture, together with kid gloves, perfumery and toilet articles, of the best quality, in readiness, no doubt, against the time when they would make their anticipated triumphal entree into Cincinnati, St. Louis or some other Northern city.

A large quantity of commissary stores were also found, showing that there was no lack of food of good quality. Coffee and tea appeared to be scarce, but there was plenty of flour, corn meal, rice, sugar, and molasses, fresh and salt beef, and bacon sides. Hams I saw none of.

The arms found were a motley variety: old flint-lock muskets, rifles and shot-guns of almost every known style. Great quantities of cartridges were found made up; for use in their smooth-bore guns, containing three buck-shot and a bullet each. In the magazine of the Fort were stored a large quantity of powder and ammunition of all kinds. Everything was prepared for a vigorous resistance, and had it been attempted, I have no doubt that it would have proved more difficult of capture than all the fortifications of Cairo, Bird's Point, and Fort Holt combined.

Perhaps the point which struck us most forcibly with surprise, after entering the works, was the enormous extent of the plan which had been proposed and partially carried out in the fortifications. As I before stated, the exterior line of breastworks, with their ditches and abattis, enclose at least a square mile. One single line of rifle-pits extends nearly a mile and a half. And this is only one of three lines of defence which were to be overcome before the Fort itself could be approached. There is ample room within the intrenchments for one hundred thousand men, and at least half that number would be required to properly defend it.

It is evident that the confederates regarded this as one of the most important points in their whole line of defences, and a glance at the map will show it to be such. By obtaining possession of this post, we have reached a point the most southern of any yet attained by our army away from the seacoast. We have an easy and uninterrupted communication with the entire North west, and there is now nothing between us and the Gulf to prevent an army from marching on to Mobile or New-Orleans, or by a flank movement reaching Memphis, Columbus, Nashville, or Bowling Green. An entrance has been effected into the Confederacy at a point where they least expected it, and the backbone of the rebellion is broken. You may be sure that the advantage gained will be immediately followed up. In fact, steps have already been taken to maintain our position, and extend our success. In a few days you will probably hear of more events of interest.

Three of the gunboats, the Cincinnati, the Essex and the St. Louis, having returned from the capture of Fort Henry, and having obtained all the particulars from officers and men, I hasten to write you the details which I was unable to transmit by telegraph.

how the attack was conducted.

The attack was begun yesterday noon, the first gun fired from the Federal fleet, just after twelve o'clock. Only four of the gunboats were engaged — the Cincinnati, (the flag-ship,) the Essex, the Carondelet, and the St. Louis. These moving up towards the Fort abreast — the Conestoga, Tyler and Lexington remaining behind, but within easy hail. The order of the approach was, the Essex on the right; next to her the Cincinnati, then the St. Louis, and the Carondelet on the left. This disposition of the boats commends itself at once as an admirable stroke of Commodore Foote's undoubted naval genius. The object was to bring to bear the best guns of the fleet, and, at the same time, to prevent the exposure of the broadside of any of the boats to any of the enemy's guns. Had there been such exposure, it is easy to imagine the destruction and probable failure which would have occurred, for the boats are extremely vulnerable in their after-parts.

This order of approach having been assumed at the beginning, was preserved throughout the engagement, the fire opening at the distance of about one mile, and continuing with terrible effect until the surrender, when the fleet was not more than five or six hundred yards from the Fort.

Commodore Foote, it seems, pursued the same tactics that rendered him so famous in his attack upon the China forts a few years since, the English firing at a long distance and suffering severely, while he ran immediately under the guns of the Chinamen, and poured such a hot and effective fire into their wooden walls, that they inflicted but little damage to the boats, and were quickly and completely disabled and beaten.

Gen. Tilghman, the rebel commander of Fort Henry, upon his capture, promptly testified to the splendid manner in which the attack was conducted, saying that when he discovered the purpose of the Commodore, his chief object was to disable the flag-ship, and by getting the flag-officer out of the way, to disconcert the other boats, and enable him to pursue his firing with better effect. This accounts for the hearty manner in which his compliments were paid to the Cincinnati, she having received thirty-one shots out of about fifty, of which the whole fleet bear the marks. The Commodore complimented Gen. Tilghman upon his gallant defence of the Fort, at the same time assuring him that he would have pursued the purpose of his attack, even to the landing of his boat at the very bank under the Fort, and that the Cincinnati, had the fight continued, should have kept head on until she was sunk. Another reason given by the rebel general for the concentration of fire upon the flag-ship, was the fact that she seemed to have got a better range than any of the other boats, and that her fire, just before the surrender, was most terrific. The Cincinnati bears many honorable scars. Several shots have left their marks upon her iron-plated sides, showing in each case a shallow and raking dent. One of her largest guns was struck on the right side of its muzzle, the shot chipping out a piece of the metal as large as a man's two hands, and actually splitting the muzzle eighteen inches down from the mouth. This will disable the gun entirely. Another gun, a thirty — two-pounder, I believe, bears a deep dent on its side, about eighteen inches from the mouth. Just behind the forward port gun, and where the sides of the boat are not covered with iron, several shots have gone entirely through the bulwarks. One of these completely decapitated one of the gunners; another passed through the bulwarks, scattering the splinters right and left, glancing along the timbers over the machinery, and passing into the wheel, but not doing much damage. The most terrible effect of the enemy's fire upon the Cincinnati, is seen on her upper works, the deck seeming to have been swept with the destructive missiles, the smoke-stacks pierced in several places, and the small boats riddled and almost destroyed. One large shot struck the iron-plated pilot-house, leaving an ugly mark, but doing no damage. The concussion was violent, and is described by the pilots as surprising the Commodore and them into a very decided grunt. But one man was killed outright on the Cincinnati. A few were wounded with splinters, whose name I have sent you. Capt. Pratt was badly hurt by a spent ball striking his leg. The men describe the crash of the balls through the timbers of the vessel as a terrible sound, but none of them flinched, say their officers, but the party manning the gun at which one of their number was beheaded. At the ghastly sight they scattered and fell back for a moment, but immediately rallied and stood their ground. The Cincinnati came into port with the large rebel flag flying under the Stars and Stripes, her appearance being greeted with many cheers and congratulations among the persons on the Cairo levee.

The Essex, which has always seemed an unfortunate boat, notwithstanding the pains taken with her and the admirable naval and fighting qualities of her commander, Capt. W. D. Porter, and his manly crew, was very unlucky in this engagement. For half an hour she bore her part in the contest most gallantly, her magnificent armament playing with fearful effect upon the Fort, when she received a most fearful shot immediately over the forward port-gun. Capt. Porter, at the moment was peering out the port-hole, watching the effect of his firing, and a young man named Brittain, son of the celebrated Dr. Brittain, of New York City, was standing by his side, his hand on the Captain's shoulder. The ball divided his head, completely carrying away its crown, and scattering his brains upon the person of a paymaster who was standing by his side. This terrible messenger [78] of death flew along the ship, through the bulkheads which were to protect the machinery of the boat, and crashed into the middle boiler. Immediately, with a rushing sound, the scalding steam filled every part of the vessel. The two pilots, both well known in St. Louis, who were standing nobly at their work, so absorbed, as it seemed, in their duties, that they had neglected to close the trap-door which leads from below to their house, were enveloped by the blistering vapor and almost immediately scalded to death. They made a desperate struggle to get out of the pilot-house, running their arms through the look-out holes, which were not large enough to pass their bodies, and vainly striving to get their heads through for fresh air. The tars who had stood so gallantly to their guns, were appalled at this new and terrible enemy, and many of them were seen to throw themselves out of the port-holes into the river. Capt. Porter was badly scalded on the face and hands. At this writing, however, his wounds are said not to be so bad as was first anticipated. The large number of wounded and missing by this untoward event, 1 have already sent you. At this disaster the Essex was disabled, and began to fall back, which Commodore Foote observing, was for the moment perplexed. He thought first of falling back with her, and by fastening to her, to bring her again into line, but the second thought decided him to let her go; and pressing more eagerly forward with the Cincinnati, urged on by the plain necessity of close and desperate fighting, bore down upon the Fort, with a fiercer front than ever, hurling his messengers of death and destruction so rapidly upon the enemy, that all resistance was useless, and they were compelled to capitulate.

The St. Louis and Carondelet did splendid work, but did not seem to receive so much attention from the enemy. They are marked in several places, but did not lose a man.

Commodore Foote informs me that but eleven of the guns of the four boats were used, and the rebel officers represent that, out of the seventeen guns with which the Fort was armed, but eleven were brought to bear upon the boats — so that no advantage can be claimed by either side. The guns of the Fort were all of heavy calibre, the largest being a one hundred and twenty-eight-pounder — a beautifully finished piece from the Tredegar Works at Richmond. They had one rifled cannon, a thirty-two-pounder, which burst during the engagement, and became useless. Their guns were most skilfully handled, and all our officers give them the credit of a most gallant and determined defence of their fort.

The rebels report but five killed and eight or ten wounded. The number of prisoners is now stated to be fifty-four. The disposition of Gen. Tilghman and staff I have already sent you. They will probably be sent to this place to-day or to-morrow.

When the flag of the Fort was lowered, it was not quite taken out of sight of the boats, and Commodore Foote did not know but some trick was about to be played upon him, so he remained quiet for a few minutes, waiting further demonstrations. Soon a small white yawl put out from the Fort, containing two officers, and on approaching the Cincinnati was hailed by Master Hoel. The officers said they wanted a conference with the Flag-Officer, which was at once grapted them. One of our boats then put out for the Fort, containing Captain Stembel of the Cincinnati, and Captain Phelps of the Conestoga, which boat had now come up to the scene of the action. Entering the Fort, they immediately reared the American flag and brought off the rebel flag. Gen. Tilghman and staff then came on board the Cincinnati, and asked to be shown to Commodore Foote. At the interview, the General desired to know the terms of the surrender, to which the Commodore replied: “An unconditional surrender.” And so it was accepted.

The amount of army plunder which fell into our hands is represented as very large, consisting of cannon, ammunition, tents, baggage, and muskets.

The rebel infantry forces encamped outside of the Fort, whose numbers are variously estimated from three to ten thousand, quit their position before and during the fight, getting off in such a hurry that much valuable property was left.

General Grant, with an advance guard, took possession of the Fort about an hour after the surrender, Commodore Foote turning every thing over to him. Whether Gen. Grant pursued the enemy that night or the next day, I cannot positively learn. The gunboats Tyler, Conestoga, and Lexington passed up the river toward the railroad bridge, and have not been heard from at this writing. The steamer Golden State is just in from Paducah, and brings no later news than that brought by the gunboats, though a boat was hourly expected down the Tennessee.

The general comment on the fight at this place is marked by much complaint of General Grant, though how justly or unjustly such complaint may be made cannot now be ascertained. It is known that Commodore Foote desired a brigade of infantry to go along the bank of the river with his boats, but this was not granted. Gen. Grant, it is thought, is much to blame for his inadequate transportation. He might have had boats enough to have landed all his force at once, and to have surrounded the enemy instantly. As it is, they have all escaped but those left in the Fort to man the guns. It is hoped that the rebel army has been vigorously pursued.

Yours,

The reduction of Fort Henry and the capture of General Tilghman, staff and men, though they may be justly regarded as comprising one of the most brilliant feats of the war, are not more gratifying in themselves than important in their results. It is not very difficult to imagine the effect which the affair will have upon the rebel leaders generally, and upon the camp at Columbus [79] particularly. At that impregnable point, as they have been pleased to regard it, they will now have a lively and rather disturbing appreciation of the effectiveness of the gunboat service of the West. Commodore Foote has shown what it is in his power to do with but four of his boats, and they bringing to bear but eleven of their guns. Fort Henry was, perhaps, as strong an earthwork as any yet constructed by the rebels. It was mounted with seventeen heavy guns, eleven of which, equal in calibre to those on the gunboats, were taxed to their utmost in defence of the Fort, but yet, in the wonderfully short space of one hour and twenty minutes, were entirely silenced and surrendered into the hands of Commodore Foote. These guns, too, were mounted by some of the finest artillerists of the South, yet were insufficient.

With this instructive lesson before their eyes, it would seem reasonable to conclude that not even in Columbus will the rebels venture to dispute the palm with Commodore Foote, when in command of his full fleet of twelve boats and their full armaments. If they make the fight, we have a reasonable assurance that that place will meet the same destruction that was so summarily visited upon Fort Henry.

In this connection, we may allude to a significant bit of information: that the whole gunboat fleet is to be put in complete readiness at once, each boat in the late action to repair as well as she can until the order to move is given, which may be issued at any moment.

Another important result of the Fort Henry victory is the opening of Tennessee to the army under Gen. Grant, and the seizure and perhaps the destruction of the Nashville and Memphis Railroad, thus severing the connection between Bowling Green and Columbus, and threatening the rear of both these important points. Gen. Grant's division, including the brigade under Gen. Wallace, which we take for granted has ere this joined him, will number at least twenty thousand men. To this, we learn, additions of a large character will be rapidly made. A regiment passed up to-day on the Empress. One or two more are coming down the Central Railroad to-night, and will be forwarded immediately. The railroads in Illinois, we hear, have been appropriated for twelve days for the transportation of troops. The Quartermaster's department here is very much hurried, while activity and hopefulness are noticed in all army circles.

All this, I think, is the natural and important result growing out of the reduction of Fort Henry, and we may justly regard it as the beginning of a development which has for its speedy maturity either the capture of Bowling Green and Columbus, or the evacuation of both — more probably the latter. The spinal column of the rebellion is undoubtedly broken just in the small of the back, at the railroad bridge over the Tennessee River. The great medicine-man, Beauregard, comes west too late for a cure.

We are looking for important news from above to-night. A boat may get down before midnight with the rebel prisoners on board, and satisfactory information from Gen. Wallace's movements.

Yours, etc.,

sir: Through the courtesy of Brig.-Gen. U. S. Grant, commanding Federal forces, I am permitted to communicate with you in relation to the result of the action between the Fort under my command at this place, and the Federal gunboats, on yesterday. At eleven o'clock and forty minutes on yesterday morning, the enemy engaged the Fort with seven gunboats, mounting fifty-four guns. I promptly returned their fire with the eleven guns from Fort Henry bearing on the river. The action was maintained with great bravery by the force under my command until ten minutes before two P. M.; at which time I had but four guns fit for service. At five minutes before two, finding it impossible to maintain the Fort, and wishing to spare the lives of the gallant men under my command, and on consultation with my officers, I surrendered the Fort. Our casualties are small. The effect of our shot was severely felt by the enemy, whose superior and overwhelming force alone gave them the advantage.

The surrender of Fort Henry involves that of Capt. Taylor, Lieut. Watts, Lieut. Weller, and one other officer of artillery; Capts. Hayden and Miller, of the engineers; Captains H. L. Jones and McLaughlin, Quartermaster's Department; A. A. General McConnico, and myself, with some fifty privates and twenty sick, together with all the munitions of war in and about the Fort.

I communicate this result with deep regret, but feel that I performed my whole duty in the defence of my post.

I take occasion to bear testimony to the gallantry of the officers and men under my command. They maintained their position with consummate bravery, as long as there was any hope of success. I also take great pleasure in acknowledging the courtesies and consideration shown by Brig.-Gen. U. S. Grant and Commander Foote, and the officers under their command.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,