The New York herald., 1862-02-08

the other places which shall notice hereafter, was
not the result Of accident the grounds moved
over not thoroughly known to tho Union commanders
On the contrary. the ground passed over had been
thoroughly reconnoitsred, and everything done was
accomplished undersandingy and with bold
determination. The capture Of Fort Henry per 8.
appears to the superficial reader in the light Of
naval victory Directly it was; but in detail the vic
tory was combination between the military and naval
forces the latter having the moral support Of the former
From time to time We have published in the HERALD
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 jumbsd, mixed state
Of AFFAIRS with immediate or ulterior design. The
public received the accounts Of the apparent inactivity Of
forces with little dissatisfaction; but so far as
General Halecks department concerned the veil
drawn and presto appears record OF 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
now record we're commenced time in the
early part Of January. Like all great military move
mens before the great blow Is struck necessary
make reconnaissance Of the point TO be attacked and
the present one for less design than empt
Of the enemy's left flank in Tennessee where they
in large force, strongly fortified and inrenched II be
necessary, In making reconnaissance OF the
mys stronghold TO make it in force. In other words to
make il with such numerical body, in case the enemy
forced battle, as to be in condition to accommodate
them. General Haleck accordingly made such details
for this service the sequel will show have
plished all he designed and that highly satisfactory
himself and the country.
Passing from the unnecessary details relative 70 the
preparing troops for march, will state that the 9th
ofJsnusry alarge force Of Unsn roop-cavary artillery
and nfanry--under the command Of Brigadier General
McClernand left Cairo Illinois, for reconnaissance In
Southwestern Kentucky towards the Tennessee border
the direction OF Columbus. This force numbered about
1000 Cotemporaneously with this movement
OF McCernands brigade, another force OF nearly equal
strength, under Brgadier General Paine marched from
Birds Point opposite Cairo In the direction Of Charles
ten Missouri and thence the Ohio river observe the
movements Of the rebels at Columbus the river front
About the time another brga de, numbering six
thousand men, under Brgaiier General c. +. Smith,
moved from Padueah to Mayned, Kentucky, and to.
wards Columbus and another force from Cairo 10 Smith
land point the Ohio river. between the Tennessee
and Cumberland rivers. Besides these land forces and
IN cooperation with them, several Union gunboats,
under the command OF Captain Porter proceeded down
the Ohio river and within two miles OF Columbus.
The movement Of these forces before stated all
for the object each having It's sphere Of action
enemy's left flank.
The active part taken in this grand reconuois-
sance was done under the command OF Gen. McClensnd
CO oporatng with his senior and chief Of the whole
movement General Grant.
Gen. McClernands brigade, conveyed in river trans
ports left the 10th ut for old Fort jefferson
Ky, about fifteen miles distant He dsembarked his
force the following day and encamped On the 18th
he made o demonstration In the direction OF Columbus
with force Of companies Of cavalry and two regi
monts Of infantry marching for several miles until they
observed the rebel Fort Beauregard In work
was strong abats OF fallen timber extending over
distance OF half mile and surrounding the snemy's
inrenchments The rgor OF the weather and tho non.
appearance any considerable force OF the enemy led
the Union commander TO the belief that the rebels we're
massed within their ntrsnchments. The object Of the
reconnaissance being engage the enemy II IL could
be avoided, the party returned the same day 10 Fort
Jefferson.
On the 18th another party of Union troops left Fort
Jefferson and proceeded to Evansville, where II selected
q strong position for an encampment.
On the 14th the whole Of Mccernand's force marched
TO landsvile. They moved in two columns with strong
guards in advance to command tho approaches To
Coluna bus and both bridges across Mayneld creek.
On he 18th an advance was made TO Weston within
ten miles Of Columbus going thence to the southwest or
the latter 90 Mlburn taking the town by surprise Gen.
Crapt az ths point assumed command of the troops Al
this place NAN came into camp who had just arrived
from Columbus From him obtained valuable iBfor
m on respecting thc condition Of the rebels at that
MACE This refugee stated that the movements Of the