The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-02-13
THE CAPTURE OF FORT
HENRY.
Fuller and Interesting P0rticu.
iars Of the Engagement.

The s'Tribune' Of This morning con-
tains the following particulars from
correspondent telegraphing from
Cairo.
The gunboats cincinnati, ST. Louis,
and Essex have just returned from the
rebel Fort Henry, on the Tennessee
River. The stars and stripes now float
over that place. Yesterday, at 1888
2. NJ, the gunboats Cincinnati, St.
Louis, Carondelet, aud Essex, the Tay
lor, Conestoga, and Lexington bringing
up in the rear, advanced boldly against
the rebel works, going to the right of
Painter Greek Island, issuing above
which, on the east shore of the river
stand the Notifications, and keeping
consequently off range till at the head
of the island, and within mile Of the
enemy, passing the island in full view
Of the rtba view of the rebel guns, we
steadily advanced, every man 1T quar-
ters, every ear strained to catch the flag
officers signal gun for the commence
ment Of action.
On. line of battle was on the left, the
St Louis next, Carondclet next, the
Cincinnati for the time being the flag,
ship, having on board flag officer 4. II.
Foote, was next to the right Of the
Essex.
We advanced in line, the Cincinnati
boats length in advance, when, at
1890, the Cincinnati opened the ball,
and immediately the three accomps my
ing boats followed suit.
The enemy not backward gave adj
mirable response, and the fight ragged
furiouslv for half IN hour We steadily
advanced, receiving and returning
storms Of shot and shell, when getting
within 500 yards Of their works, we
came to stand and poured in to them
right and left. 1t was magnificent the
whisling shot, c!iugs of the seips seips,
AID the cheering Of our men as our
shots took evident effect.
In the mean'imc the Essex had been
disabled and lriitya away from the
scene Of the engagement, leavin.ss The
Cincinnati, Caronaclet and st. Louis
engaged.
AT length, At precisely 10 the enemy
struck his flag, and such cheering,
such wild excitement as seized the
throats and arms and caps OF the 40
or 500 sailors of the gun boats. Well
imagine it.
At:er the surrender, whl.a was made
to Flag Officer foote by the rebel Gc-
neral Floyd Ti!.hman, who defended
his fort in most determined menser,
we found that the rebel infantry, en-
anped to the number of some four or
five thousand outside the fertilization,
had cut and run, lea, ing the rebel ar
tlllery company III command u the fort
to their fate.
The fort mounted II guns, mostly SO
and - Founders; one, however, a
magnificent 10 inch columbiad.
They claim to have had but 1 cffec-
tive guns, worked BY 81 men, which is
the number all told, OF our prisoners.
Our shots had lis,nountcd two of
their guns, driven the enemy from their
cmbankmcnts, and played smash with
them generally.
They lost five killed and some ten
badly wounded.
One Of their rifled guns 32-poundcr,
burst during the engagement, badly
W ,unding one OF their gunners, but Kill
ling none.
Capt. Taylor, Of Nashville, rebc. con-
mander Of the fort artillery company
(now our prisoner), says the 32-poun
der is the gun that did their chief firing.
Watts, formerly Of Cincinnati, and Of
Mason county, Ky, Of the firm Of Watts
Il Colburn, was their ordnance officer
lie is now our prisoner.
The infantry fled from their quarters,
leaving bag and baggage.
a vast deal of plumber has fallen into
our hands, and large and valuable
quantity Of ordnance stores.
Gen. Tilghman is disheartcncd and
thinks it one Of the most damaging
blows Of the war.
In surrendering to our Fag Officer
the rebel General remarked: Il am
glad to surrender to 50 gallant an
officer"
Flag Officer Foote replied: sYou do
perfectly right, sir, in surrendcring; but
you should have blown my boats out OF