The New York herald., 1862-03-05
THE EVACUATION OF COLUMBUS.

ALL 1vAOOA 11VN VI OV1uWOuSs
Vandalism OF the Rctrcating RcbeIs-
The Entire Town o Mass of Ruins, &c.
Sr. LOUIS, March 4, 1862
special despatch to the Rerttcdn, dated Cairo tho
Sd instant says that Columbus has been evacuated and
burned by the rebels.
The gunboat Benton, with General Cuum and Commo-
dore Foote went down the riser to-day reconnois
sance found that the rebels had cd having
their guns and laid the town in ashes.
Everything was destroyed that could not be carried
away.
The rebels retrcated to Fort Randolph.
The whole town Of Columbus is nothing but mass Of
ruins.
The guns Of the rebels have also boen removed from
tho island below.
OMcial Reports OF the OccupatIon Of CO.
lumbus by Union Troops.
GEN. HALLECKs REPORT TO GEN. MCCLELLAN.
ST.. LOUIS, March a, 1862
Major General MCCLELLAN
SIR-The cavalry from Paducah marched into Colum.
bus yesterday at six p. NJ, driving before them the
oncmys guard Tho flag Of the Union nyirg
the boastcd Gibraltar Of the West Finding himself
completely turned both sides of the Mississippi th
enemy obliged to ovacuatc surrender Large
quantities Of artillery and stores captured.
H. W. HAILECK.
FLAG OFFICER FoorE's REPORT.
WAsuNGroS. March 4, 1862.
Secretary wclles this evening received tho following
despatch, dated e- ~
COLUMBUS. March 4, 1852.
srR-Coumbus s in possession. My direct recon-
noissance the I'd inst caused basty evacuation tho
rebels leaving quite number Of guns and carriages,
ammunition and stores, large quantity of slot
and SHE'LL o considerable number Of anchors and
the OF chain lately stretched across the river
with largo number Of torpedoes. Most Of tho hus.
tents and quarters destroyed The works arc OF
very great strength consisting Of formidable tiers
batteries the water s and the land side
cd by ditch and abattis General Sherman, with Lieu.
tenant Commanding Phelps, not knowing that they were
last evening occupied by 400 Of the Second Illinois Cavalry
scouting party sent by General Sherman from Padu
cah made bold dash to the shore under the batteries
hoistng the American flag the bluns II greeted
by tho hearty cheers OF brave tars and soldiers
The force consisted Of six gunboats, four mortar
beats and three transports having board two reg-
ments and two battaons Of infantry, under command
Of Colonel Buord General Cullom and General Sherman
beirg in command Of the troops.
The former leaving sick bed to 60 ashore discovered
what evidently magazine nro at both cxtrcmi-
ties, and Immediately ordered the train be cut and
thus saved the lives Of the garrison.
While cannot express too strongly my admir- ation o.
the gallantry and counscs Of tho distinguished aid
and engineer Of General Halcck, General Culom must
add that Commanders Dove, walkc and Stembc, and
Lieutenants Commanding Pauldng, Thompson, shrk
Phelps-hc attcr being in command Of the mortar
vision assisted by Lieutenant Leford Of the
corps Of the United States Arnynoby performed their
duty.
have my iag on board tho Cincinnati, commanded by
the gallant Commander stcmble General Sherman
mains temporarily in command at Columbus.
A. II. FO0TE, Flag Ofncsr.
GENERAL cULLUx's REPORT.
WAsHrxGroS, March 4, 1862.
The following received at tho headquarters Of the
CoruxBus, KY, March 4, 1862.
To Major General MCCLELLAN
Columbus the Gibraltar Of the West, Is ours. and Ken
lucky is free thanks the brilliant strategy tho
pagn by which tho enemys centre pierced at Forts
Henry and Donelson his wings isolated from each other
aud turned compelling thus the evacuation OF his strong
hold of Bowling Green first, and now Columbus
The notIa under flag officer Fooc, consisting Of six
gunboats, commanded by Captains Dove Wake, ,ssmble
Pauding Thompson, and shirk, and four boats
in charge Of Capt. Phelps United States Navy assisted
by Lieut. Ford advance corps, United States Army and
three transports conveying COL Bufords Twenty seventh
Illinois regiment and battalion Of the Fifty fourth
and Seventy fourth Ohio, and Fiftynfth Illinois,
manded by MAJORS Andrews and Sanger, tho whole bril-
eadc being under Brgader General Sherman who rem
dered the most valuable and cniccnt assistance.
On arriving at Columbus was difficult 10
say whether the fortincations were occupied by
our own cavalry, . scout from Paducah. or by
the enemy. Every preparation was made for opening
Gro and landing tho infantry, whom General Sherman
and Captain Phelps, with thirty soldiers made dashng
reconnaissance with tug steamng directly under the
water batteries. Satisfied that troops had posses
sion they landed, assembled TO tho summit Of the bu
and together planted tho Stars and Stripes, amid tho
hcaftiest cheers OF our brave tars and soldiers.
Though rising from sick bed 10 60 upon the oxpcd-
tion could not resist landing 70 examine the works.
which Of immense strength consisting OF tiers upon
tiers Of batteries the river 'front.' and strong parapss
and ditch, crossed by thick abatts, the land sde
Tho forticatons appear to have been evacuated hastily
considering the quantities Of ordnance and ordnance
stores and number Of anchors and the remnant of tho
chain which was stretched over the river, and
large supply OF torpcdos remaining Desolaton was vis
BILE every hus, tents and barrlcacs presenting
bat their blackencd remains, though the town
was spared. I discoveroi what appeared large
magazine, smoking from both extrcmities. orccrcd
the train 10 be Immediately cut garrison
was eft in the work OF nearly 1000 infantry and 90
cavalry which will strengthen Immediately .t
S"''' GEO. W. CUIIUM,
-.