The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-02-26


which the rebels erected rifle pits near the
creek, in the rear OF the town, and protecting
the road which comes in from the southwest
on river line simply breastwork.
1t will be seen that the line was very ex.
tcnsive, and it needed but glance to see
that there had been defective engineering.
With the force they had there was too much
ground to look after. A more skillful engi
neer would have selected commanding points
on the ridge and thus concentrated strength
The creek defended the south side, although
when they found it convenient to leave the
place, it was in the way. With this view,
We are ready to look at the operations.
After the capture of Fort Henry, Gen.
Grant as soon as possible moved across the
twelve mile, strip Of land between the rivers
and invested the place by throwing McCler.
nand's division upon the right, at the creek
extending his pickets down to the river
beyond. Gen. Wallace occupied The centre,
while Gen. Smith closed up all communica.
ton with the outside world on the North
Our forces occupied range Of hills almost
one mile distant from the enemy's outer
works-Gcn. Grants headquarters being
between Smiths and Wallaces commands
The rebels still had communication with
Clarksyille by the river, and daily received
rcinforcements and supplies by steamers.
Passing over all the skirmishing Of Tues.
day and Wednesday, we briefly notice the
gunboat' fight.
THE GUNBoAT FIGHT.
Thursday, Feb. 9th, had bcen marked by
the successful boinbardment Of Fort Henry
an event that will live in history in the
list Of brilliant naval achievements to the
lasting fame Of Com. Foote.
The gunboats which participated in this
splendid action were the Cincinnati, st. Lou.
IS, Carondelet, and Essex !; the Taylor, Cen,
estoga and Lexington. These came out ol
the engagement well nigh unscathed and
ready for another encounter which has moi
been long delayed.
The gunboats st, Louis, Louisville and
Pittsburg, left Cairo on the night Of the lth
for Cumberland river The st. Louis was
the flag ship--t the vessel on board of which
Commodore Foote remained On the way
the Conestoga was met coming down the
Ohio as a convoy to the Lexington, which
had been the most damaged in the Tennes
see ri..er affair. She was hailed and added
to the fleet. From Paducah the gunboats
acted as convoy to the sixteen transpor,
vessels laden with troops for the reinforce
ment of Gen. Grant.
Thirty five miles from Ft Donclson the
feet was met by an express steamer coming
down to hurry up tho transports, General
Grants dispatch stating that the fighting
had commenced and reinforcements were
needed. The fleet arrived within two miles
of the Fort at II o'clock on Thursday night
The Carondclet had been ordered to open
the ball at 0 o'clock on Thursday morning
She advanced within mile of the Fort and
opened fire. She was quickly responded to
and after firing 1873 shots was obliged to re
tire, having received a 40 pound ball through
hcrport side, striking the main steam pipe
She retired down stream a couple of niles
In the afternoon, after repairing the damage
sustained in the first sally, she was agair
ordered to attack. She fired number Of
shots, but without effect.
During Thursday night, Gen. Grant had
a conference with Com Foote, and il was
decided to make more general lombard
ment the next day, Friday. The gallant
Commodore did not hesitate to declare to his
fellow officers that far more difficult task
was before him than had been presented in
the taking of Fort Henry. Our readers will
understand from the description of localities
elsewhere given, what these increased diff.
culties were. Instead Of the low batteries
on the banks ofthe Tennessee, scarcely high
er above the water than the decks of the
gunboats the upper batteries of Fort Donel-
son frowned down from the bluff one hun
dred feet above the river.
Nevertheless, there was no hanging back
and Commodore Foote and his officers were
called upon to lestraiH by stringent orders
the ardor of their men, who burned to open
the Conflict. On steamed the boats, and
while at long range the enemy opened fire
from their middle batteries-their first shots
falling short-first thirty two, then q six.
ty'four. Still all was silence on board Of the
gunboats, the dip of whose paddles alone
broke the stiffness + their approach. Thus
dftecn minutes passed, which seemed tar
dy hour to the impatient gunners. At last
the point was reached, and precisely at ten
minutes to o'clock r. ~, a puff of white
smoke and the boom OF her sixty four came
from the bow port Of the st. Louis. The
other boats quickly followed suit. Such was
the difficulty ofgetting accurate range that
our first shots fell wide of the mark; bu,
this was remeded speedily, and the engage
ment became terrific. The enemy poured
their 32 and 64-pounders into our vessels
with great effect, and our gunnners return.
ed with inch shell and Ga naund r;fio halls