The New York herald., 1862-02-12

After severe contest, which lasted for three
Gays, the troops of General Burnside's expedition
have taken possession of Roanoke Island. The
victory was completed on Sunday evening, and
our troops were landed in large force. The Stars
and Stripes were Immediately hoisted over the
rebel batteries. At noon on that day the rebel
Commodore Lynch, came down Currituck Sound
with his little feet to relieve General
Wise; but our fotilla opened brisk fire upon
them, and before five O'Clock in the afternoon
three Of the rebel gunboats were sunk, including
the flag boat, two were captured and the rest were
dispersed in every direction. The utmost conster-
nation is said to prevail in Norfolk and Portsmouth
in consequence Of this disaster to the rebel cause
Our success at Fort Henry, on the Tennessee
river. increases in importance as the detailed
news of that brilliant affair reaches US from day
to day. The account which we give of it from our
special correspondent to-day ia most graphic,
and will be read with great interest Not only
have our troops got possession of the strongest
point on the Tennessee river, but they have
pushed further into the territory of the rebels,
carrying victory with them, and working out in the
most satisfactory manner the grand plan devised
by the Commander-in-Chief to circumvent all
the rebel strongholds in that direction. 1t appears
by despatch received yesterday at st. Louis from
Cairo. that Capt. Phelps, Of Commodore Foote'S
squadron, in command Of the gunboat Conestoga,
has returned from an expedition up the river,
having penetrated as far as Florence, in Alabama,
after capturing new rebel gunboat and destroy
ing all the other gunboats between Fort Henry
and the town of Florence. Thus it will be seen
chat we hold in absolute possession q vital
strategic point, which emperils the most
reliable positions of the rebels, and will
binations, to render both Columbus and Bowling
Green comparatively worthless to them, by cutting
on their connections with the South, and so save
the necessity of reducing them at great sacrifice
ofSfe.
Two persons who arrived at Louisville yester-
day report that the rebels are evacuatng
Bowling Green, and are falling back on Nashville.
II this statement be true it proves that the move
ments Of our troops in the rear have convinced the
rebel leaders that Bowling Green is no longer the
strong strategic point it was few weeks ago, and
that il must be abandoned before it is entirely cut
OF from communication with the South.
A detachment of our cavalry, 250 strong
had an engagement with body Of rebels on Sun
day. seven miles east Of Fort Henry, in which five
Of the rebels were killed and thirty taken
prisoners. portion Of the railroad bridge on
the Louisville, Clarksvile and Memphis Railroad
was destroyed by our troops on Saturday night,
the rebels, who were encamped there TO protect
II, having previously evacuated the place.
The fate Of Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland
river Is likely to be speedily decided after the
manner Of Fort Henry. special despatch received
Ut Cincinnati from Cairo yesterday states that Gen.
Grant had surrounded the fort with seven batteries
Of artillery, and that he would commence sheling
k to-day. General Pillow Is said to be in com.
mand there with 1000 men. Other reports state
that the garrison numbers 5000, which is pro-
badly true, II, a. stated, the infantry force which
aed from Fort Henry has reached Fort Donclson.
The trees for two miles around the fort have
been cut down by the rebels, in readiness for
action, and It is thought that, as there are two
small forts and three camps outside The main
fortihcations, the approaching battle will be far
more desperate than that at Fort Henry.
The Secretary of War has issued proposal for
contract TO establish regular daily line Of
swift steamers between Fortress Monroe, HATTIE.
ras, Port Royal and Roanoke Island. lie init.
mates that none but parties who have immediate
means Of putting vessels on this line need make
proposals.
The arrival Of our newspaper dispatches by