Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-13
EVA ACUATYoN or UuB US.
Kentucky Redeemed.

Kentucky Redeemed.
A dispatch from the operator at Cincinnati
to the Military Superintendent at Washington
announces that Columbus was occupied at
o'clock Tuesday morning by the federal troops.
The enemy fell back TO Island No. TO-
Secretary Wells has received the following
dispatch, dated
COLUMBUS, Ky, Tuesday, March A, 1852
SIR: Columbus is in our possession. My
armed reconnois ,ance on the I'd inst, caused a
hasty evacuation, the Rebels leaving quite a
number of guns and carriages, ammunition and
stores, large quantity of shot and shell, con-
siderable number of anchors, and the remnant
of chain lately stretched across the river, with
large number Of torpedoes. Most of the
huts, tents, and quarters were destroyed. The
works are of very great streng h, consisting Of
formidable tiers of batteries on the water side,
and on the land side surrounded by ditch and
abattis. Gen. Sherman, with Lieutenant Com
manding Phelps, not knowing that they were
last evening occupied by 400 OF the I'd Illinois
Cavalry, on scouting party sent by Gen. Sher
man from Paducah, made a bold dash to the
shore, under the batteries, hoisting the Ameri-
can flag on the bluffs. 1t was greeted by the
hS"''1 NhNtio vi Jul DluNt luIS anu SOlultlS.
The force consisted of six unboats, four NOR
tar boats, and three transports, having on board
two regiments and two battalions of infantry,
under command of Col. B iford, Gen. Cullom
and Con. Sherman being in command of the
troops. The former, leaving sick bed to go
ashore, discovered what was evidently maga-
zine on fire at both extremties, and Immediate
y ordered the train to be cut, and thus saved
the lives of the garrison. While cannot ex-
press too strongly my admiration of the gal
lantry and wise codnses of the distinguished
aid and engineer of Gen. Halleck, Gen. Cullom,
| must add that Commanders Dove, Walker,
and Steeibel, and Lieuts. Commanding Paul
ding, Thompson, Shrk and Phelps Che latter
being in command of the mortar division, as
sisted by Lieut.. Luford, OF the Ordnance Corps
of the U. s. Army, nobly performed their du-
ty. have my flag on board the Cincinnati,
commanded by the gallant Commander Stem
bel Gen. Sherman remains temporarily in
command at Columbus.
A. II. FOOTE, Flag Officer.
The following was received at Headquarters
of the Army:
COLUMBUS, Ky, Tuesday, March 4-via Cairo.
To M1jor- General MCCLELLAN.
Columbus, the Gbralter of the West, is
ours, and Kentucky is free, thanks to the bril-
liant strategy of the campaign, by which the
enemys center was pierced at Forts Henry and
Donelson, his wings isolated from each other
and turned, compelling thus the evacuation of
his stronghold of Bowling Green first, and now
Columbus.
The fotilla under Flag Office Foote, consist
ing of six gunboats commanded by Captains
Dove, Walker, Steeibel, Paulding, Thompson,
and four mortar-boats, in charge of Capt.
Phelps, United States Navy. assisted by Lieut.
Ford, Ordnance Corps U. S., and three trans
ports, conv ewing Col. Bufords 9th Illinois
Regiment, and a battalion of the j4th and 18th
Ohio, and j4th Ill nois, commanded by Mai iors
Andrews and Sanger-the whole being under
Brg-Gen. Sherman, who rendered the most
valuable and efficient assistance.
! On arriving at Columbus, it was difficult to
say whether the Notifications were occupied by
our own cavalry, or scout from Paducah, or
/ by the enemy, Every preparation was made
| for opening fire and landing the infantry, when
Gen. Sherman and Capt Phelps, with 30 sol
ders, made dashing reconnaissance with a
tug, steaming directly under the water bate
ries. Satisfied that our troops had possession
| they landed, ascended to the summit of the
bluff, mad together planted the Stars and Stripes
amid the heartiest cheers OF our brave tars and
soldiers.
Though sing from sick bed to go upon tht
expedition, l could rot resist landing to examine
the works which are of immense strength, con
sis,ing of tiers upon tiers of batteries on the
river front, and a strong parapet and ditcf
crossed by a thick abattis on the land side
The fortifcations appear to have been evacuated
hastily, considering the quantities of ordnanc,
and ordnance stores, and number of anchors
and the remnant of the chain which was one,
stretched across the river, large supply o
torpedoes remaining.
Desolatiol was visible everywhere huts
tents, and barracks presenting but their black
ened remains, though the town was spared
discovered what appeared a large magazine
smoking from both extremities. | ordered thu
train to be Immediately cut. A garrison wa,
left in the works of nearly 1000 infantry ant
400 cavalry, which | will strengthen immedi
ately.
GEO. W. CULLUM, Brighten Chief of Staff
Union Demonstrations at Richmond.