The New York herald., 1862-02-02
iP0RTANT FROM GEN. GRANTS COLUMN.
~>~-~~~~~-~~>~~>oN~-
additional Particulars of the
Reconnoitring Expedition.
l0VEMENTS OF GEN. SMITHS BRIGADE.
Reconnaissance Of the Tennessee River and Fort
Henry, with Its Surrounding Earthworks.
SUCCESS OF THE EXPEDITION.
THE FORT NOT YET EVACUATED.
MAP OF THE POSITION,
&c., &C., &c.
IOVEMENTs OF GEN. SMITHS BRIGADE.
SUCCESS OF THE EXPEDITION.
THE FORT NOT YET EVACUATED.
ANOTHER RECONNOIssANCE OF FORT
HENRY.

ANOTHER Reconnaissance OF FORT
HENRY.
OUR CROWN POINT CORRESPONDENCE.
CROWN POINT, KY, Jan. 81, 1862.
Departure from the Camr-RebA Gunboats-TAe F5yt Fired
at from the Lerington-No Repy-The Fort Not Pet
Decentralization of Rebel Picket Cdmp-Gitcr-
yiuas at Work-The Order 10 Return 10 Pddacah--A
Specimen Of Southern Literature, dc.
Since commenced writing, the gunboat Lexington has
arrived conveying the transport Wilson and barges
loaded with provisions and forage. The Lexington
sent up to Fort Henry a reconnoitrng expedition,
and through the politeness Of Captain Shirk her
mander, was permitted to accompany him. We had
just got under way and turned bend in the river when
the rebel gunboat Dunbar discovered coming down.
On discovering she quickly turned about and put back
with all possible speed. round shot and two shells
were thrown after her. but the distance between
too great for execution She declined returning the
pliment. She is rapid saer, and soon dstanced
When we arrived within sight OF tho fort, the
boat was lying abreast Of it, in company with
consort They are both up river steamers
having no other popularity than that they each carry
two raed guns, ana the fastest saers
to be found.
The Lexington went within two miles of the fort and
threw number Of shells into it, without elicitng
reply It is quite evident however, that the fort has
not yet been evacuated, their pckets in
several places along the shore One picket camp was
destroyed BY well directed shell, which undoubtedly
did good execution. Tho fort mounts four thirty
two Founders, two q which rifed. Be.
sides these they have a number of field pieces,
designed evidently 10 be hauled out into commanding
positions along the bluffs in Of necessity. They
have also recently thrown up some earthworks a
high bluff above Fort Henry, the west bank Of the
river mounting two fifty Founders, which eectu-
ally command tho fort and will make it untenabe, II
taken, until they silenced.
In seafning the river the Lexington was fired
BY ccwardfy miscreant concealed in tho woods the
shore, very near the federal camp at Crown Point.
woundng twomen on board Previous to the return Of
the Lexington general order had been promulgated for
tha, the wsos ns %Sch han
been kept scrupuously secret fept to aid Gen.
Buell. In his attack on Bowling Green. That object
ccmplehed, Gen. Smith had but TO obey ORDERS like the
true soldier he is, and return. But the report OF
Captain shirk showing that Fort Henry is not
sst Of we'll disciplined mon, who have been led
on with the expectation that that was their desti
ns.ion the &c General has ordered halt and will wait
the height Of folly to turn backs upon this for
s6eAtcn. now that are near IT, and nothing could
mon Of this command. Bot those writers who have
persstenty abused General Smith in the past
without striking blow At Fort Henry tho blame Is at
'trbutable 10 higher authorities than General Smith.
AZ curiosity Of Southern literature and a. giving the
latest news from Coembus enclose letter Of late date
from soldier in camp a that place. beg its insertion
revtatim It liteyatims'-
TRAVIS RIEc CPr BALARps CoxpSY,l
CoLOuNBoUs Ky Dec 20 1861
DEAR PARANs I sete my self to night in my sehanty
ino 1sf SIDE % inform you that am well a. this time
h varey litlo Crsmous hear haven't had bot drains
this Crismous Tins air doul hear cop close TO thr
quarters Som thinks that unke Abe vii csme down
abowt the first weeke In 62 don't whether ii IL
not thoe CESS not PLIERS Bragade is going Boln
green and the misspp melitia volenters for monts
thay have had adte with the northen cavery
at monsonvle out by the old to gat about Gardens &
thay have rowted the scamps from Rolla mo my old
trampng grownd We air still preparing canons we have
mother larger Rfel in the place the other
hear waite IA $50 lbs and shots the bswl the
Ram Think Is head little be 10 hear over battery
s reddy for action the Artermen have bin training the
the River vary loe for this of the year
have not heard from you senco Jams smith came down
want you all TO Wrto to me & down Of you can
shortly l. when you come down want you 10 fetch
one or 70 quilts for thesnits is Citing cold
Aud when you como ! want you to fetch me q bout 2
shirts for hant but too and thay ant mutch & ant
Dron amy money yet and don't now when will git
amy amost OF the 0cers have bin pado and dowt tae
prvits Citing any onder too monts yit want Aick and
B. r. Mc.Na TO como down Of thay End want them
70 write to me thay never have wrote TO me sence hear
II bin l cant take the time to write them sepcrt
letters TO them tho II that / write letters
onst Of tho family and send them in your
be exposed ef Ia TO Beane give my Rspecks 10 John
Harras bot you most not let him read this Letter for
you how young foaks air don't when will
git home don't now whether we will git any forlows any
not write TO shortly and all the Rest will
write you evry week or too nothing moer at present
give my Respecks nquirn trends and them AbdomQ
Dcves wush them safe Courtney to hell from your son
r. W ovERBY.
CnowN PoNr, KY, Jan. %, 1862.
General Smith and StaT Reconnoi.re the Rebel Deeacss-
The Shells from the Union Vcssels-How They Took Ef.
fecs-The Fbrt Replies-The Reconnaissance Success
The Return 10 Pdducah Ordered by General Smith
Where Is the Pdymaaer a--Description of Fort Hmy
and Map Of The vicintty, dc.
Yesterday morning General Smith, accompanied by
his staff proceeded board the Lexington reconnoi-
Fort Horny in person. The boat proceeded up the
west channel Of the river which, owing to the present
high stage Of water navigable for all craft TO point
within and half milo Of the fort. Three steamers
dscovere< lying OF the Mouth Of the small creel,
that empcs int he Tennessee Just above the fort
with steam up well directed SHE'LL striking fair in
the stern Of Of .hem soon woke them up and siu-
atsd active efforts in getting up and pushing up
the river sscsnd shel fell short Of its mark,
bursting n the wa.sr just in front tho enemy
works ttird burst IN the air, directly the fort
DOUBTLESS doing good execution Such tomerty on the
part OF the sarcy Lexington not to be endured by
the garrison Of the fort who brought thirty two
pound piece into play, throwing round
shot considerably to the right of the Lexington which
fell into tie water nearly har mile short OF s mark
With the ad Of glass fine view Of the garrison Of the
fort was new obtained from the deck of the gunboat
and more ca1fused mass Of excited humanity seldom
seen. However, General Smith had accomplished his
purpose drawing the shot Of the sneny and satisfying
himself Of the position and strength Of their works, and
therefore bade them farewell with couple Of sixyfour
pound shells
On returning to camp orders were a. once issued to
oountermarch 10 Paducah, and this lncrning at eight
O'Clock the column will move. This action OF the Gene
s evidence conclusive that he has had no orders to
attack the FORT but that had he been satsde. that he
could have taken It without too grsata risk he would
have madc the attempt One thing is certain tho utter
decentralization Of this command will follow It's return to
Padrcah, unless their arrival there they shall end
p1ymostcr in waiting TO pay them or For FIVE months
they have waited patiently without a cent OF pay and
when the order TO march given last week they