Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-12
Another Battle,-and another Union
Victory!

On last Thursday another brilliant vic.
tory was gained over the rebels. Fl Hen
ry on the Tennessee river was taken BY
gunboats from Cairo. The fort is Just
within the boundary of Tennessee, and
situated on the east bank of the river
The fight lasted one hour and twenty
minutes. A correspondent of a Cincin-
matt paper, who was present during the
fight, gives the following account Of
bombardment and capture of the fort:
The gunboats Cincinnati, St. Louis,
Carondolet and Essex, the Tyler Cones
toga and Lexington, bringing up the rear,
advanced boldly against the rebels, going
to the right OF Painter Creek Island, and
above which, on the east shore of the riy-
er, stand the Notifications, and keeping
out OF range till at the head of the island
and within a mile of the fort. The island
in full view of the rebel guns, we boldly
advanced, every mar at curriers' to catch
flag officers signal gun for the commence
ment of action. Our line of battle was
on the left, St. Louis next the Caron-
dolet and the Cincinnati, for the time
being the flag ship, having on board flag
officer A. II. Foote and next, the Essex.
We advanced in line, the Cincinnati a
boats length ahead, when, at 1890, the
Cincinnati opened the ball, and immedia-
tely three accompany NJ lalls followed
suit. The enemy, not backward, gave
admirable response, and the fight ragged
~furiously for half an hour; we steadily
advanced, receiving and returning storms
OF shot and shell, when, getting within
300 yards of the enemy's works, we came
to a stand and poured into them right
and left.
In the meantime the Essex had been
disabled and drifted away from the scene
OF action, leaving the Cincinnati, Carondo-
let and st. Louis, alone engaged.
At precisely 40 minutes past one o'clock
the enemy struck his colors and such
cheering, such wild excitement as seized
Threats, arms and caps of the four or
live hundred sailors of the gunboats, can
be imagined. After the surrender, which
was made to flag officer Foote, by Gen.
Tilghman, who defended his Fort
in the most determined manner, we
Lound that the rebel infantry, which was
encamped outside the fort, numbering
four or five thousand, had cut and run,
the rebel artillery company in
command of the fort to their fate.
Tie fort mounted II guns, mostly 50
24 Founders, one being a magnificent
Columbiad, Our shots cismount
I'd two OF their guns, driving the enemy
rom the embrasures. One of their rihed
z Founders burst during the engagement,
rounding one of their gunners.
The rebels claim to have had but IL
guns, worked by "a men, the
number all told of our prisoners. They
ost five killed and ten badly wounded.
The infantry left every thing in their
light. A vast deal of plunder has fallen
nto our hands, including a large and val
liable quantity of ordinance stores.
Gen. Tilghman is pleased, and thinks
t is n Of the most damaging blows of
he war.
In ~surrending to flag officer Foote, the
ebel General remarked Il am glad to
urrender to so gallant an officer" Flag
ticer Foote replied: You do perfectly
ight, sir, in surrendering but you should
ave blown my boats out of the water be-
ore | would have surrenders d to vou."
In the engagement the Cincinnati was
4 the lead, and flying the flag cficer's
%ennant, was the chief mark. Flag Off
er Foote and Capt. Stembel crowded her
efantly into the teeth of the enemy's
uns. She got 81 shots, some of them
DING completely through her. The Es-
ex was badly crippled when about half
the fight, and crowding steadily
gainst the enemy, a ball went into her
ort side, forward port, through one of
er boilers, escaping steam scalding and