Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-03-25
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Commodore Foote.


Now that :lis brave and active hero who ha.
achieved for himself such fame by his exploit.
with iron.clad gunboAts up the Tennessee river,
and who displayed such indomitable courage ia
the attack upon Fort DoneIson, has started on
the expedition down the Mississippi, and already
captured the first rebel stronghold, at Island
No. 10, it IS only fair that he should have tic
praise that belongs to him, whether it be for
sighting, or planning the expeditions, which
haye gained such victories for the Union. The
Now York World, a paper that is 50 warmly
in Gen. McClellan's interest that it cannot be
suspected Of giving any credit that belongs to
the Commnnder-in-Chle to any subordinate
thus writes Of Commodore Foote
Senator Grimes, Of the Naval Committee, in
his speech on the vote Of thanks 10 Commodore
F00te, declared that 50 far as he could learn,
- the PROJECT Of turning the enemy's lank by
= penetrating the Tennessee and Cumberland
= rivers, originated with Commodore Foote. -
To show this, he presented the following dis
patch from the Commodore to General llalieck
dated Caro-, January %
General Grant and myself are Of opinion
that Fort Henry and the Tenoessee river can be
carried with four iron.clad gunboats and troops,
ana be permanently occupied. Have we your
authority to move Tor that purpose when ready =
Five days afterwards he was on his way and
80 sure was be oi the victory, that he gave in.
struetions in advance what was to be done after
it, with the same forecast that distinguished
General Scott in Mexico, Of which we have seen
too llttle in this var thus far. This was his
special order two days before the battle
g." Lieutenant Commanding Phelps will, as
soon as Af fort shalt hare Smreadered, and upon
sisual from iag snip, proceed with the Cones
toga, Tayl5rand Lexington up the river to where
the railroad bridge crosses, and II the army
shall not already have got POSSESSION, he vii
destroy SO much Of the track as will entirely
prevent IT, use by the rebels. lie wi then pro
oeed as Tar up the river as the Stage Of water
will admit, and capture the enemy 8 gunboats
aud other vessels which might prove available to
the enemy.
The fruits Of that prompt, brilliant lasn to
Florence uobled the value Of the victory.
It's not too much to say that our splendid
western successes are due 70 Commodore t0ote
more than to any other man. Without him
and his notilla, W. should, in all probability,
be vet pouring out our blood like water IN VAIN
Efforts to break through the euemy's front line
of delcnscs. At least, we may set II down as
certain lhat Columbus, the SebastJpol Of the
continent, with all its river communication
open, would never have been given up without
Il most desperate struggle Commodore tooie
is the right arm Of our military power in the
West. and the people all the more gladly rec
ognize it, because Of his great-souled mcdesty,
and his freedom from professional jealousy, aud
all political ambition. lie has but one thought,
one anlmating purpose-the CRUSHING Of this
abEorred rebellion in the quickest and most Ell
feotual manner possible. He will be again
heard from presently.
Commodore Foote is now on his way to New
Orleans. lie has made his first report by shell
ing out %, 900 rebels from Island No 10. How
fast he will progress is only a matter Of specu.
lation. One thing, however, Is certain No
rebels that he defeats will have time to fall back
aud fsrtify a sccood position, before he moves
upon it. The and forces must be lively in their
movements or they wilIno be in at The death.