The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-14
} ( DIE @m.
THE CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY
PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY.
Reconnaissance OF PORT DONELSON.
$1,000, 900 Worth Property Takon

Fort Henry Is situated on the eastern bank
Of the Tennessee river, almost on the State
line Of Kentucky and Tennessee. /, II com.
mands the river for two miles. II mounts II
guns, mostly 80 and 4.pounder one is o
splendid l0.inch columbiad.
Some days ago q feet Of gunboats went
from Paducah, and after reconnoitering with
care, on Thursday placed themselves In posi-.
ton, to the number Of seven, for IN attack
upon the fort. In the meantime, large
body Of Union troops, under Gen. McCler.
nand, was taken to point out of range Of
the fort, and there landed, the object being
to attack the enemy's rear. Thus matters
stood on Thursday morning. Then Flag
Officer Foote, with the Cincinnati, st. Louis,
Carondelet and Essex, supported in reserve
by the three other boats, advanced steadily
on the tort. The movement was magnih-
Gently eIccuted-the attacking feet. with
quiet, unAinching spirit, sailing directly into
the very line Of the hostile guns, every man
at his post, all eager for tho signal gun which
would set them free to act. At III = the
first gun was fred by the Cincinnati then
the battle went on In earnest. The gunboats
steamed to tho closest quarters, and poured
in their shot with vigor Of service and an
unerring aim which must have thoroughly DO.
wildercd the bombarded rebels. The latter
returned the Ere Of our guns with determin-
alton. and the fight ragged holly till lao, at
which time Gen. Tilghman Internationally
surrendered. Meanwhile, force Of infant.
~ behind the fort, some 5000, fled with o
swiftness peculiar to the rebels when they
have not every advantage on their side. The
Union land force, which had made circuit
in order to attack the enemy In the rear, did
not reach its destination till two hours after
the surrender-so 1t will DO seen that this
was purely naval victory.
Tho enemy lost, m 10 stated by ono author.
ity, 8 killed aud 10 badly wounded. Our
loss was as follows: On the Cincinnati !
killed and badly wounded: on the Essex,
seamen and officers killed, II men wound
cd, and missing. The chief portion Of this
loss was from scalding, caused by shot pen.
etrating tho boiler. Among those scalded
was Capt. Porter, late of the Powhatan.--
OF prisoners we took General. Colonel,
two Captains, and not far from GO privates.
In addition to the capture OF the fort, our
troops have taken another most important
step in seizing the Memphis and Ohio rail
road. This connects Memphis with Bowling
Green by direct line, and tho latter place Is
thus cut of from immediate communication
with its most important support. Another
road, by circuitous route, connects the two
places mentioned, by way Of Nashville; but
this is of little use, rs o simple movement
up the Tennessee river from Fort Henry will
take that road also.
A accommodating party had been sent out
toward Fort Donelson, and dispatch from
Cincinnati Of the 18th says that Gen. Grant
has surrounded the fort with batteries oil
artillery, and that II would DO shelcd or
surrendered In day or two.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 8.
Dispatches received here give further de-
tails Of the capture of Fort Henry. At the
time of the attack, tho rebel infantry were
iu their camp. eating dinner. They aban.
doncd every thing, leaving thousands of shot
guns, and all their cquipagc and clothing.