Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-02-13
FORT HENRY CAPTURED.
Gen. Tilghman and Staff and the
Whole Carlson Prisoners.
THE STARS AND STRIPES FLOAT
ING IN TENNESSEE.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 1.-The Gazette and
Commercials Cairo correspondents give
the following interesting account of the
bombardment and capture of Fort
Yesterday, at II o'clock 80 minutes,
p. ~, the gun boats Cincinnati, St.
Louis, Carondolet and Essex, the Tyler,
Connestoga and Lexington bringing up
the rear, advanced boldly against the
rebel works going to the right of Painter
Creek Island, Immediately above which
on tho east shore of the river stands the
Notifications.
Keeping out of range till at the head
of the Island, and within a mile of the
enemy, and then passing the Island in
full view Of the rebel guns; we steadily
advanced-every man being at quarters.
Every ear was strained to catch the
Flag Officers signal gun for the COM
mencement of the action.
Our line of battle was: On the left
the St. Louis. next the Carondolet, next
the Cincinnati, (for the time being the
flagship, and having on board Flag
Officer Foote, and next the Essex.
We advanced in line-the Cincinnati
a boats length ahead, when - 1890
the Cincinnati opened tho ball, and i'm
mediately the three accompanying boats
followed the example; the enemy, no
ways backward, gave an admirable re-
Spouse.
The fight ragged furiously for half an
hour, but we steadily advanced toward
the enemy, receiving the returning
storms of shot and she'll, when, getting
within 800 yards Of the enemy's works.
We came to stand and poured into them
right and left.
In the meantime the Essex had been
disabled and driftod away from the scene
of action, leaving the Cincinnati, Ca
rondolet and ST. Louis alone engaged.
At precisely 10 minutes past ono o.
clock, the enemy struck their colors, and
such cheering aud such wild excitement
as seized the Threats, arms and caps of
the four or FIVE hundred sailors of the
eunboats can't be imagined, much less
described.
After tho surrender, which was made
to Com. Foote. by Gen. Tilghman, who
defended lis fort in the most deter
mined manner. wo found that the rebel
infantry encampcd outside of the fort,
numbering four or FIVE thousand men,
had cut. and run. leaving only one ar
tillery company in command Of the fort!
The fort mounted twenty guns aud
seventeen mortais. mostly 80 and "a
pounders-on being magnificent 10
inch columbiad. r.
Our shots dismounted the guns, driv-
ing the enemy through the embrasures.
One Of their rifed 32-poundcrs burst
during the engagement, wounding the
gunners.
The rebels captured claim to have
had but eleven effective guns wodred by
SIS men, the number, all told, of the
prisoners taken. They lost five killed
and ten badly wounded.
The infantry left everything behind
them in their fight, and vast deal of
their plumber has fallen into our hands,
including large and valuable quantity
VI ordnance SCOTcS. f-.#a ...# .
Gen. Tilghman appeared dishearten-
ed. He thinks the capture Of the post
is one of the most damaging blows of
the war. In surrendcring to Com. Foote,
he remarked ~ am glad to surrender to
50 gallant an officer"
Com. Foote replied. "you do perfectly
right. sir, in surrcndering, but you
should have blown my boats out of wa
ter before l would have surrendered to
you" aHs- .s--e..aso %. =.
In the engagement, the Cincinnati
was in the lead and flying the Flag Of
ticer's pennant. which was the chief
mark. Flag officer Foote and Capt.
Stemble crowded her defantly into the
teeth of the enemy's guns. She got
thirty one shots. some going completely
through her. 2
The Essex was badly crippled Whom
about half through the fight and crowd
ing steadily against the enemy, ball
went into her port side, going through
one of her boilers, the escaping steam
scaldiug and killing several Of her crew.
The Cincinnati had only one man
Killed aud SIX wounded.