The New York herald., 1862-02-06
| IMPORTANT FROM TENNESSEE.
The aunboat Expedition Up the
Tennessee River.
-~0~~N~>~~<>~~N>0>~><~>N~
fhe Union Military Force Under Gen. Grant
Within Three Miles Of Fort Henry.
G NNON DING HEAR ID.
PROBABLE ENGAGEMENT,
&c., &c., &e.
IMPORTANT FROM TENNESSEE.
CANNONADING HEARD


We received the following highly important despatch
rom Tennessee last evening, by telegraph
rrsHEssn RrvxR, Feb. 4, 1862.
General Grant s now up the Tennessee river, within
eAree miles of Fort Henry. fight anticipated. Seven
gunboats with him, and four coming. Firing
6 noo heard
The following despatch conHrmatory Of the foregoing,
was also received last evening
CHICAGO, Feb 5, 1882
special despatch TO the Chicago Journal, from Cairo
says that the force under Grant arrived at
Landing six miles .below Fort Henry yesterday after
Aoon.
Tho gunbOats Essex and st. Louis made reconnaissance
sthe rebel works, for the purpose Of landing forces.
they went within milo and half Of the fort throwing
several shells inside the intrenchments Tho Rre
was returned One shot struck the Essex going
through of Captain Porters cabin The range OF
sheir guns being ascertained, place selected for
Andng, which 10 be done yesterday afternoon The
force Of the enemy is supposed to be 10 900.
despatch dated to-day says that General Grants
force was within four miles Of Fort Henry. A fight is
s1Iscted to-day.
In Tuesdays HERALD published the following des-
patch, which confirms hs above report and will give at
sast superficial idea Of the strength Of the expedition
THE EXPEDITION FROM CAIRO.
CHICAGO, Feb. 3, 1862.
special despatch To the Chicago Tribune dated Cairo,
says that twelve steamers. laden with troops in charge
u Commodore Graham left there at ten o'clock this
morning, to join still larger force at another point. The
expedition has every indication Of genuine active move
Esnt.
That few weeks ago General Grant, with strong force
left Cairo and proceeded the direction Of the Tennessee
river Tho heavy rains At that time had swollen tho
river as to render il impossible to attain any progress
toward tho enemy Added to this the transport M
eDes werc found inadoqnate hence tho expedition was
obliged TO return The news WHICH we publish above
shows that the expedition Was not abandoned Bat after
hs return to Cairo its Subsequent kept
secret until the telegraph has drawn tho VEIL places
the expedition within three miles Of tho rebel Fort
Henry.
This FORT tho 6n!y fortcation the Tennessee river
Of much importance, situated line Of Kentucky
ana Tennessee on the east bank Of the stream stands
IN the bottom about the high water mark just below
The bend in tho river, and at tho head Of straight
stretch OF about two miles. It therefore commands the
river for that distance down stream and very little else
The land around IL s little higher than the fort and
portion Of II is covered with timber. The Of
shc fort consists Of eight thrty-two Founders. four
twelve pounders md two six Founders The thrtytwo
and twelve Founders heavy guns the six pound
ers light pieces On the opposite side Of the river
three hills, which completely command tho fort. Re
ssntly somc new Notifications commenced these
Aills whsro IL intended mount very large
guns and three rded cannon.
The garrison Of the fort Is as fcllows:-
Brigadisr General Floyd Tilghman, Commanding.
srAF.
Captain Powhatan Ellis, Assistant Adjatant General.
Captain 8. O. Norris, Aidde-Camp.
Kentucky regiment, late Colonel Tilghman.
Mississippi Fourth regiment, Colonel -.
Louisiana regiment. Colonel Stucke.
Fort Henry and its approaches were reconnoitered on
che 2lst ult by tho United States gunboat Ixng.on
with view to ascertain its strength and tho position
- the rebels. She went within two miles OF the
fort, and threw q number Of shelis into IL,
without ecting any reply At nrst though, that
the rebels had evacuated the work hut approaching
eth the rebel pickets at various points
The heavy guns the work distinctly; also
eumber Of field pieces, designed evidently 10 be hauled
out into commanding positions aloEg the bluffs in Of
secessity. II also observed by the officers of the
Lexington that in addition to the fort proper numerous
sarthworks had been thrown up high bluff above
fort, the west bank Of the river. These works were
armed with what appeared to be two sixty FOUNDERS
his additional work commands Fort Henry, and in the
event Of the capture Of the latter by General Grant, he
would be obliged 10 make second assault the work
sAe heights in The vicinity.
On the I'D ult., Brgadier General G. f. Smith, vhose
brigade then at Crown Point, KY proceeded from
there pcrsonsl Reconnaissance the gunboat Lex
ington in the directions OF Fort Henry The gunboat pro-
cesded up the west channel OF the river point within
mile and half Of the forl. Three rebel steamers
discovered lying on the mouth Of the small creek
that smpties into The Tennessee river st above the fort
A well directed shell was fred from the iexins
ton, striking one OF the rebel craft in tho
stern A second shell fsl! short OF its mark
Just In front Of the sne,ny's works; third
burst in the air. directly Fort Henry doubtless
ting good The rcbss in the FOR. then brought
out .wopoundsr gun to bear ths Lexington
che shot from which fsl into the water half mile
short Of ts mark. General Smith obtained an excellent
view Of the rebel fort camp snj garrison and ssn bis
report 10 headquarters.
The present expedition andss General Grant s 20
doubt Of sufficient strength for any emergency and pro-
bsby, this be is full possession Of Fort Henry aud
ne surroundings.
News from Cairo.
Especial despatch 10 tbe M!sscuri Democrst.l