Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-02-21
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. GRANT.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO,
Fort Henry. Tenn. Feb. 6. 1862.

! AEAHNUARTEhH DISJRlCT OF NAIROs
| Fort Henry, Tenn, Feb. 6, 1862.
Cqptain J. C. RelfOn, .Hsslsfant .adjufant
General, Department Of No 81. Louas, Mo.
CAPTAIN: Eaclosed | send you my order
for the attack upon Fort Heury. Owing to
dispatches received from Major General Hal-
leek, and corroberatine information here, 10
the effect that the euemy were rapidly rein
forcing, thought it imperatively necessary
that the fort should be carried to-day. Ny
forces were not up at ten o'clock last night
when my order was written, therefore I did
not deem IT practicable to set an earlier bonr
than eleven O'Clock to day to commeRce the
investment. The gunboats started up at the
same hour to commence the attack, and en-
gage the enemy at not over elk hundred yards.
ln little over one hour all the batteries we're
silenced, and tile fort surrendered at discre-
tion to Flag officer Foote, giving us ell their
guns. camp and garrison eqnipsge, &c. The
prisoners taken are General Tighman and
staff, Captain Taylor and company, and the
sick. The garrison, think, must have coms
menced their retreat last night, or ut ga ea:ly
hour this morning.
| Had not felt it au imperative necessity to
attack Fort Henry to-day, should baye made
the invesment complete, and delayed until to-
morrow, so as to secure the garrison. | do
not now believe, however, the result would
have been any more satisfactory.
| The gunboats have proven themselves we'll
able to resist severe csnnodiug. All tbe
iron-clad boats received more or less shots
the fsgship some twenty y-cight-witboat any
| serious damage to any, except the Esser.--
This vessel received one shot in her boiler
that disabled her, killing and wOundiDg soma
thirty-two men, Captain Porter among the
wounded.
i remain your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, Brigadier General.
The following 10 the order referred 10 in
Gen. Grants report;
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO,
Camp in the Field near Fort Henry,
February 5, 1862.
FIELD ORDERS NO. /.
The First Division, Gen. McClernand COM
manding, will move at IL o'clock, "A. 81, to-
morrow, under tae guidance of Lieut.. Col
McPberson, aud take position on the roads
fron Sort Hurry 70 Donsisou aud Dover
1t will be the special duty of this command
to prevent all reinforcements to Fort Henry
or escape from it. Also, 10 be held 10 resdi-
ness 10 charge and take Fort Henry by storm,
promptly on the receipt OF orders.
Two brigades of the second division, Gen.
.. +. Smih commanding, viii start at the
same hour from the west bank of the river,
! aud take aud occupy the heights commanding
Fort Henry. This point will be held by 60
much artillery as can be made available, and
such other troops 40, in the opinion of the ge-
neral commanding the second division, may be
necessary for its protection.
The third brigade, second division, will ad-
vance up The east back Of the Tennessee river,
ae fast as it csn DO securely done, snd be in
readiness to charge upon the fort, or move to
the support of the first division, as may be
necessary.
All the forces on the west bank Of the river
not required to hold the heights commanding
Fort Henry will return to their transports,
cross to the esst bank, and follow the fret
brigade as fast as possible.
Tie west bank of the Tennessee river not
having been reeennoitred, the commanding Of
tieer entrusted with taking possession of the
enemy's works there will proceed with great
caution, snd secure such information as can
be gathered, and such guides as can be found
~ tue tiIe insSIEeui-S, Detore eieVen 0 CLOCK
tomorrow.
The troops will receive two days rstions Of
bread and meat Ia their hayersacks.
One company of the second division, s.med
with rides, will be ordered to report to Flag
Officer Foot, as Eharp-shooters, on board the
gunboats.
U. 9. GRANT,
Brigadier General commanding.