Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-08

The telegraph reports the surrender of Fort
Henry, on the Tennessee river. alter short
gagement with the gunboats and before the land
force had arrived at the scene of action. IL is
also stated that our forces had advanced fifteen
miles beyond Fort Henry and had taken posses
sion of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad bridge.
This IS an important victory, if we have force
enough to take advantage of it. In this event it
will be attended with the most important and de-
cisive results. The St. Louis Republican thus
detailed the importance of General GRANTS expe-
dition few days ago:
IL the communication between Bowling Green.
and Columbus can be cut of, the Union forces
will have it i'm their power 90 achieve such vic
tory Will make the Confederates trenble from
Nashville TO Pensacola.
The rebel armies i'm Southern Kentucky repre-
sent two wingf-Columbus at the west and Bow
ling Green at the east--with a totally inadequate
center. Here is "a line running nearly $50 miles
which would require DOG. 600 troops 20 cover,
whilst the C0nfederates do not muster the halt
of that number. ii many The center j. held
by brigade at Hopkinsvie. and by Fort Henry
on the Tennessee, and Fort Donelson twelve
miles di-tant) the Cumberland Those points
occupied by the Federal forces, and position
taken near the State line say at Hadensvie and
the wings of the rebel army would be completely
isolated while both would be threatened IN the
rear aud supplies for both meaSurably cut Oft.
To such n result the finger of events now points.
We interpret the movements going on at Cairo.
Ptducah and Smithland to mean an important
expedition up the Cumberland and Tennessee
rivers. III successful Gen Buell. will have a
c,mptratively estsv task i'm tiislodging the Con
feiera,cs from Bowling Green. Tor with Clrks
vile seriously menaced, and railroad connec-
tioas thereby broken. they fall back
II sht under almost Overw helming disadvantages.
Nashville. too. Is location the rebels not
afford TO lose without Desperate struggle.
Up to ab0u. the 18th of January il was gar.
risOned by some two thousand ession troops
hut after General Smiths column had moved
from Padncah WAS reinforced by two thousand
more from Camp BesuregarJ. and tins forte NAV
have been somewhat increases since. Fort Henry
i situated IN the east bend OF the Tennessee river,
FIVE or six miles below the Kentucky line lt
built in August. was intended. IN cOnluuc-
ton with Fort Dnnelson. for the defense OF the
Cumberland and Tennessee valleys. but not
occupied more than nominalv until Columbus
was seiEed by General Polk in September Ii
lies quite low. being overlooked on the west by
bluffs. which, we believe. have been mounted
with cannon. The armament of the fort. accord
ing 10 the best information. consists OF sixteen
six. twelve and thirty two Founders. but the f,Kt
beng designed to repel an attack from the river
u calculated To resist land forces approaching
IN the rear. General Smith might easily have
taken IL. hut not prepared to hold il with the
forces he lrli, after General Grant had returned
from his feint upon Columbus We shall not be
surprised tn hear OF General Tileiman. who com.
mands Fort Henry evacuatiEg the place upon
the second approach oi our troops.