Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-20

tHe TdliTOtu CIOSScS Tue Slre3m. lie
point on the Cumberland is at Dover, II
miles dislanI. The Fort on the Tennes
see was named Fort Henry, that on the
Cumberland was named Fort Donelson.
Fort Henry stands in an admirable po
sition-one strong by nature and improved
by the scientific skill of engineers taught
at West Point, at the expense Of the Gov
ernment of the United States. As you
steam up the river you come to long,
narrow, and densely wooded island-Pan.
ther Island. Just beyond is Panther
Creek, coming in from the east. Here
the river makes bend TO the west, and
in the curve is nearly threefourths of a
mile wide. From the bend to the head
of the island is a mile and quarter. just
above the bend there is another creek,
which opens into pond or bayou on the
eastern side. The land between those
creeks was selected for the defence of the
river. The angles and faces of the fort
were constructed so that the larger por-
tion of the guns could be brought to bear
upon the entire distance to the island, and
also down its eastern side, which is the
main channel. The western side is i'm
passsble at low water, but the rebels TAX
ing into account the possibility of an at
tack at high water, had planted several
torpedoes in the channel-a poor expedi-
ent, for Commodore Foote knew they were
and not only that, but the exact locality
in which they were placed. He sent out
his small boats and fished up five, four OF
which were found 10 be so damp that the
powder would have had 10 be dried before
exploding.
The fort was strong on both ffanks by
means of the creeks and the pond. The
creeks extended along the mainland and
left but a narrow ridge of land in the rear.
This was covered by dense forest, and
here the rebels have used their axes to
some advantage, the trees were felled and
strong abatti constructed. The fort itself
is of strong embankments, with ditch
outside, surrounding it. 1t contains about
four acres. Outside this there is an en-
trenched camp an embankment and
slockade containing about thirty-fiv acres.
At Pine Bluff landing is ferry six
miles below the fort. The road from the
ferry runs along the bank under the bluff
for a short distance, then runs inland,
crosses Panther creek and joins the road
leading to Dover, which crosses at the
head of the pond.
Right opposite the pord, on the west
side of the river, there is high bluff,
which commands the fort and encampment.
On the bluff the rebels had erected a work,
called a redan in military works; but they
had not erected guns within it. The front
face of the fort was not more than twelve
or fifteen feet above the surface of the riv-
er at high water. The rebels had tented
barracks in :heir encampment, and every
preparation was made to make an effect
i've, determined, victorious stand-to hold
the place against us by water and by land.
1t was confidently expected that the fort
would knock big holes into the gunboats
and send them 10 the bottom, long before
they could pass the fort; and if the place
could be held against the boats, there was
no danger of our opening their highways
by mere land attack. But, as has been
seen, they counted THAR chickens before
they were hatched. With this view of the
locality, we may proceed to the narrative
of events.
The whole force numbered about TWEEN
ty thousand.
While the steamers were down the riv
er, Gen. Grant and staff, on the St. Loui:
and Essex, proceeded up the river upon 6
reconnaissance. They went within a mil'
and half of the fort, and threw severa
shells into the entertainments, which elicit
ed reply-just what was wanted-fron
24-pound ritied gun, which was admira
bly, aimed, sending a shot through one cor
ner of the top works Of the Essex-th'
cabin which Captain Porter had construct
ed outside the Essex, merely for the con
venience OF himself and officers, and which
as be informed me a few days since, "h
expected would be blowed to thunder
they went into fight"
Meanwhile also land reconnaissance wa
made and the rebel pickets encountered
Afew shots were fired and the pickets driS
en- in by our cavalry. One man was kille'
and one wounded on our side.
The next morning the forces from Pa
ducah and Smithand arrived and wer
landed on the west side near Pine Bluff t.
| operate against the redan. During th
night, however, there was a severe thuu
der storm and heavy rain, which made
anything but comfortable for our troop:
and which made ground almost impassa
ble. 1t also raised the river to an unusua
height, flooding all the low roads, fillin'
the river with driftwood and raising tn
creeks, which, while it made the fortifics
tions stronger against an attack by land
enabled Commodare Foote to pass up th
shallow side of the island and keep out th
range of the rifled guns till be was nea
enough to open.
The plan of attack was for the fleet I
open at half past twelve o'clock. Ger
Grant was to move at an earlier hour an
get in rear of the camp, to cut off all CON
punication with Dover. Com. Foote a:
sured the General tho ball would open pre-
cisely at that hour. He also expresse
his fears that the troops would be benin
on account of the bad roads, and added
"General, l shall have the Fort in my pos
session before you get into your position.
The General told him to 60 ahead. H
started the columns, Gen. McClernand's u
the eastern bank, and Gen. Smiths up tn
wesfern himsalf ramaininn at the landip