Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-02-13
Particulars OF the Fight at For,
Henry.

Particulars OF the Fight nt Fort
Henry.
ClSctNNATI, Feb. THE Gazette and
Commercial s Carlo correspondence givos
the following account of the lombard
ment and capture of Fort Henry yes ter
day, at 1890. l.. NJ:
The gunboats Cincinnati, st. Louis
Carondolet and Essex, the Tyler, Con
estoga and Lexington bringing up the
rear, advanced boldly against the rebel
works, going to the right of Paint Creek
Island, Immediately above which, on the
east shore of the river, stands the fortili-
cation, and keeping out Of range till at
the head Of the Is and, and within one
mile of the rebel guns. We steadily ad-
vanccd, every man at quarters, every ear
strained to catch the flag officers signal
gun for the commencement Of action.
Our line Of battle was on the left, the
st. Louis next, the Carondolet next, 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 1870, the
Cincinnati opened the ball, and immedi-
atcly the the three accompanying boats
followed suit. The enemy gave admira-
bic response, and the fight ragged furious
| ly for half and hour. We steadily ad-
vanccd receiving and returning storms of
shot and shell, when getting within three
hundred yards of the encmy's works, we
came to stand, and poured into them
/ right and left. In the mean time the
Essex had been disabled and driltcd away
from the scene of action, leaving the Gin
! cinnati, Carondolet and St. Louis alone
Engaged.
At precisely forty minutes pas. one the
enemy struck his colors, and such cheer
ing, such wild excitement as seized tho
throats, arms and caps, Of the four or five
hundred sailors Of the gunboats, can bc
imagined.
After the surrender, which was made
to flag officer Footo by Gen. Lloyt
: Tilghman, who defended his post in
most determined manner, we found tina
the rebel infantry encamped outside tn,
fort, numbering four or five thousand
had cut and run, leaving the rebel artillcr,
t company in command Of the fort 10 thei
fate.
' The fort mounted seventeen guns
D mostly thrty-two and thirty four pound
b ers, one being magnificent ten inc
Columbiad. Our shots dismounted tw
of their guns, driving the enemy from tn
embrazurcs. One Of their rillel thirty
: two Founders burst during the engage
e ment, wounding one of their gunners.
The rebels claim to have had but clcv
en- effective guns, worked by fiity-fou
men, the number all told of our prise
ners. They lost five killed and ten badl
: wounded.
! The infantry left everything in thei
t flight
A vast deal of plumber has fallen int
our hands, including a largo and valubl
! quantity Of ordnance stores.
5 Gen. 1il9hman is disheartenod, an
: thinks it one of the most damaging blow
! of the war.
In surrendering to Flag officer Eoote
the rebel General remarked: 81 am gla
to surrender to SO gallant an officer"
Flag officer Footc rephod; "You dc
perfectly right, sir, in surrcndcring; bu
you should have blown my boats out t
the water before would surrender o
f you"
In the engagement the Cincinnati wa
in tho lead, flying the Flag -ellicer's pen
nant, and was the chief mark. Flag off
Ger Foote and Capt Stombei crowde
e her deiantly in the teeth of the enemy
q guns. She got thirty ono shot, some c
! them going completely through her.
The Essex is badly crippled Whe
" about half through the fight, and GROVE
II ing steadily against the enemy, ba
G. went into her port sides forward por
through her heavy bulkhcal, and square
ly through one OF her boilers, the csc,
l. ping steam scalding and killing sever
r OF her crew. Captain Porter, his al,
~ 5. p. Britton, and paymastcr Levi
were standing in direct limo of the bal
~ Britton being in the centre Of tho grouI
t. a shot struck Britton on the top of hi
head, scattering his brains in every dire
=, ton. The escaping steam went into Il
- pilot house, instantly killing Ford al
&c Mcbride, pilots. Many OF tho sailor
in at the rush Of the steam, jumped owe
4. board and were drowned.
IN The Cincinnati had one killed and S
:, wounded.
o' The Essex had six seamen killed, tv
n officers and seventeen men wounded, al
five missing.
80 No casualties on tho St. Louis
- Carondoet, though shot and shell fc
y upon them like rain
II The st. Louis was commanded
l. Captain Leonard Pauldng, who stoC
,s upon the qua deck and fought the gun
to the last. Not man ilinched, Al
with chcerupon cheer, sent shot and she
'l amongst the enemy.
u, Official Dispatch GrOun Flag