Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-08
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
OF THE SURRENDER
OF FORT HENRY.

Particulars oil the Ffght-Iwe Rebel Gens
erals and three ether Officers, with 100
Privates, Made Prisoners-Ths Memphis
and Ohio Railroad Bridge Taken Posses.
sisn Of.
CAIRO, Feb. Fort Henry, on the Tennessee
river, surrendered Yesterday at two O'Clock, after
hour and twenty minutes, and was conducted on
our part by the gunboats Cincinnati, Essex and
st. Louis. The Cincinnati fred lbs rounds and
received "a shots from the rebel guns, but bad
only one man killed. The st. Louis fred 11O
rounds and received no damage.
The Essex was disabled at the tenth round by
ball striking her boiler. By this occurrence she
nae hsd ~ men siiiea, a oeing sssiaed 70 dea'n WIN
Capt. Porter was also badly scalded, but not
Two rebel generals, one colonel and two cap
tains, and one hundred privates were taken
prisoners.
The fort mounted seventeen guns.
Our land forces did not reach the scene Of ac-
tion for two hours after the surrender,
The Memphis and Ohio railroad bridge, fifteen
miles above the fort, has been taken possession Of
by our troops.
INTERESTING PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT.
CINCINNATI, Feb. THE Gazette and Com.
mercial Cairo correspondents give the following
Interesting account Of the bombardment and cap
ture of Fort Henry:
Yesterday, at u O'Clock 90 minutes D. m, the
gunboats Cincinnati, ct. Louis, Carondelet and
Essex, the Tyler, Conestoga and Lexington bring.
works, going to the right of Painter Creek Island,
Immediately above which, on the east side of the
river, stands the Notifications. Keeping out Of
range till at head Of the island and within mile
Of the enemy, and then passing the island in full
view Of the rebel guns, we steadily advanced,
every man being at quarters.
Every ear was strained 10 catch the flag oficer's
signal gun for the commencement of the action.
Our line Of battle was on the left, the st Louis,
next the Carondelet, next the Cincinnati, flor the
time being the flagship, and having on board
flag officer FOote, y and next the Essex.
We advanced In llne-the Cincinnati a boats
length ahead-when, at ~ 30, the Cincinnati
opened the ball, and Immediately the three ac-
companying boats followed the example, and the
enemy, no ways backward, gave an admirable
response.
The fight ragged furiously for half an hour, but
we steadily advanced toward the enemy, receiving
the returning storms Of shot and shell, when, get
ting within 300 yards OF the enemys works, we
came to a stand, and poured into them right and
left.
In the meantime the Essex had been disabled
and drifted away from the scene OF action, leav-
ing the Cincinnati, Carondelet and st. Louis
alone engaged.
At precisely forty minutes past one O'Clock the
enemy struck their cOlofs, and such cheering and
such wild excitement as seized the throats, arms,
and caps of the four or five hundred sailors Of the
gunboats can't be imagined, much less described.
After the surrender-which was made TO Com.
Foote by Gen. Tilghman, who defended his fort
In the most determined malner-we found that
T.,
numbering four or five Thousand men, had cut
and run, leaving only an artillery company In
command Of the fort.
The fort mounted seventeen guns, mostly 81 and
"a a'Pounders-one being magnificent 1O.inch CO.
l1mbiad.
Our shots dismounted two guns, driving the
enemy through the embrasuTes. One of their
rifed 32-pounders burst during the engagement,
The rebels captured claim to have had but j I
effective guns, worked by 81 men-the number,
all told, Of the prisoners taken. They lost Ave
killed and ten wounded.
The infantry left everything behind them I'm
their flight, and a vast deal Of their plunder has
fallen into our hands, including a large and vau-
able quantity Of ordnance stores.
General Tilghman appeared disheartened. He
thinks the capture Of the fort is one Of the most
damaging blows Of the war. In surrendsring to
Com Foote he remarked: 8I am glad to surrender
to 90 gallant an officer "
Com. Foote replied, "You do perfectly right,
sir, in surrendering, but you should have blown
my boats out Of water before should have sur
rendered to you"
In the engagement the Cincinnati was in the
lead, and flying the flag officers pennant, which
was the chief mark. Flag officer Foote and Capt
Sem lie crowded her de1antly into the teeth of
the enemy's guns. She got thirty-one shots, some
going completely through her.
The Essex was badly crippled when about half
through the fight, and crowding steadily against
the enemy, ball went into her port side through
forward port, then through the heavy bulkhead,
ana going sQuarelY tnrough one OF her boilers,
the escaping seam scalding and killing several
her crew.
Capt. Porter and his aid, 8 p. Britton, jr., and
Paymaster Lewis, were standing in the direct
line Of the balls passage-Britton being In the
center Of the group, the shot struck him on the
top Of his head, scattering his brains In every
direction. I'he escaping steam went into the
pilot house and instantly killed Ford and Bride,
the pilots. Many Of the soldiers, at the rush OF
steam, jumped overheard and were drowned
The Cincinnati had only one man killed and
six wounded.
The Essex had six seamen killed, two officers
and seventeen men wounded and five missing.
There were no casualties on the st. Louis or
Carondelet, though the shot and shell fell upon
them like rain.
The St Louis was commanded by Captain
Leonard Paulding, who stood upon the gunboai
and fought his guns TO the last Not man
finched, and with cheer upon cheer sent shot and
shell among the enemy.