Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-20
NO.27'

against his fire. He was about three hun
dred yards distant and still advancing,
when the rebel flag came down. Instantly
all was silence. Not a shot was fred after
it was struck. The rebel Gen. Tilghmap,
had flung out white flag, but Commo-
dore Foote informed me that he did not
see it. II he had, it wsuld have made no
difference, for he was determined that there
should be no conditions when the stars and
stripes went up again over the soil of Ten
nessee.
Immediately the borders of the ST. Lou
is were on hand, asd Gen. Tilghman de-
sired to see Commander Foote. He was
told that he must go on board the >Cincin-
natl, and soon the two commanders stood
face to face. Gen. Tighman said that he
bad displayed white flag, and desired con-
ditions. Commodore Foate replied that
he did not see it, but that it would have
made no difference if be had. He said,
"Your surrender must be unconditional,
SIR" swell, Commodore, if l mast sur
render, it is a pleasure TO surrender to so
brave man as yourself" "You do per-
fectly right sir, to surrender, for 1 should
not, under any circumstances" Gen.
Tiighman did not comprehend the Com
modore. 81 would not have surrendered,
sir" he continued, 'because | was fully
determined to capture you or 60 to the bot
tom."
Everything was surrendered-twenty-
seven ouns. all the munitions, provisions
for several months, camp equipage for sev-
eral thousand meu-and the Stars end
Stripes went up over the soil of Tennessee
with wild, indescribable shout and hur-
rah. The men who had been cold during
the fight now became excited. They grasp.
ed one another by the hand and danced
and capered like wild men: The fight last
ed one hour and twelve minutes.
Meanwhile the troops were founderihg
in mud over the terrible roads. When
the firing commenced the troops were but
half the distance to their designed posi-
tions. The bands had been paying to en-.
liven the march, but when the deep toned
music of the canuonade come booming on
their ears, they gave loud cheer, and of
their own accord broke into double
quick movement. But they were too late
to bag the fleeing rebels. If they had
arrived at the appointed time, we should
have had several thousand of them on our
hands. Commodore Foote was right in
his calculations, and Gen. Grant. wrong
As it was, sixty mine prisoners fell into our
hands.
Gen. Tighman informed Commodore
Foote that he knew the weak places OF
the gun boats and aimed accordingly, and
informed the Commodore that be conf
dentially expected to sink every boat.
Com. Foote laid all bis plans with ad
mirable forethonght. He was determined,
and accordingly succeeded in the UNDER
taking. He is much beloved by his men,
for be is as humane, considerate, and care
fu, as he is brave and prudent.
A gentleman said to him last mig ght that
be was getting nervous and must have
some sleep. II never slept better in my
life than i did the night before the battle,
and l never prayed more fervently than
on that morning; but couldn't sleep last
night for thinking of those poor fellows
on board the Essex"-was his reply-a
reply which at once reveals his whole char
acter for he is not only moral man, but
humane, self-sacrifcing-one who openly
recognizes the claims of Christianity, and
lives up 10 his professions.
The officer who served under him are
equally worthy of mention. Capt. Stem
bel, Commander Pauldiug, Walker, Por-
ter, Short, and Gwin, one ard all did their
whole duty.
1t is impossible for me to give de-
scription of the arms captured in the rebel
works.
There were heaps of old flint lock guns,
mostly of the 1928 pattern, but some old
enough and rusty enough to have been
carried by the grandfathers of the rebels.
: There were old rifles with shattered stocks
r tied to the barrel with shoemokers' wax
} ends. There were single and double bar
relied guns, some of which saw their best
days years ago. There were few good
guns, but the majority were such as we
have described. There were homemade
: sabres, or swords or cleavets, or knives
one knows not what name to give them
but the most ungainly implements of war
imaginable-made by the poorest and
most unskilled of black.smiths.- They
were rough unpolisbed blades, about eigh-
teen inches long, wide and very thick
They had oak handles, and rough guards.
They might do good service as butchers
cleavers, but could not be yielded with
great effect in battle. They were in sheep
! skin sheaths, of the poorest kind Of dress
ing, tan colored, with a slit for the SOL
| dier's belt.
Provisions of all kinds were found IN
, abundance -four, bacon, corn, pork, sugar
!, and molasses. There were good supply
of shoes, blankets, camp kettles, and tents
{ sufficient to accommodate several thou
sand men.
Dismissed at Plaintiffs Cost.