Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-05
COLUMBUS CERTAINLY OURS,
The Enemy Retreat In Confusion, Lea vim.
Guns, Ammunition, Anchors, &c. &c.
FFICIAL REPORT!

The following dispatch was last night received
at the headquarters Of the army:
COLUMBUS, March 4.-Columbus, the GIbralt,r
OF the West, Is ours, and Kentucky is free-thanks
to the brilliant strategy of the campaign, by which
tue enerny'S center was pierced at Forts Henry
and Doneson; his wings isolated from each Other
and turned, compelling thus the evacuation of his
stronghold OF Bowling Green first, and now Co
lumbus at O'Clock this morning
The hotilla, under Flag Officer Foote consist
ing OF his gunboats commanded by CAPTAIN.
Dove, Walk, Stembell, Paulding Thomson and
Shirk, and four mortar boats in charge Of Cart
Phelps, U. :. Navy, assisted by Lieut. Ford Ord
nance Corps, U. 3. A, and three transports, con.
veylng Col. Buford's nth Illinois regiment. and
battalion Of the Sith and 7ith Ohio, and 65th
illinois, commanded bv Majors Andrews and
sawyer; the whole brigade being under Brig
Gen Sherman, who rendered the most valuable
and efficient assistance.
On arriving at Columbus IL was difficult To sav
whether the Notifications were occupied nv ony
own cavalry on a scout from Papucah or by the
enemy. Every preparation was made for OPENING
fire and landing the infantry, when Gen Sberma5
and Capt. Phelps, with thirty soldiers, made a
dashing reconnaissance with a tug, steaming
directly under the water batteries satisfied that
our own troops had possession. They landed
ascended to the summit of the bluff and together
planted the stars and stripes, amid the heartiest
cheers Of our brave tars and soldiers Though
rising from sick bed to go upon the EXPEDITION
could not resist landing to examine the works
which are OF immense strength consisting of tiers
and
strong parapet and ditch covered by thick abat-
tis on the land side.
The Notifications appear to have been evac. lated
hastily, considering the quantity of ordnanc, md
ordnance stores, and number Of anchors and ne
remnant Of the chain which was once ,tretcbeS
over the river, and large supply Of torpedoes re-
manning. Desolation was visible every where.
nus; tenn, and barracks presenting but their
oiackened remains, though the town was spared
i discovered what appeared to be large MAGAZINE
smoking from both extremities and ordesed tbe
train to be Immediately cut. A garrison was left
In the work, Of nearly two thousand infantry and
four hundred cavalry, which will strengthen
ihiiheolateiy' 6Ko. w. CULLuM,
Brig. Genl and Chief Of STAFF.
COM. FOOTE'S OFFICIAL REPORT,
The following dispatch was also last night re-
ceived by Secretary Welles:
COLUMBUS, Ky, March Sir: Columbus is
In our possession. My armed reconnaissance, on
tne "a instant, caused a hasty evacuation-the
rebels leaving quite number Of guns and car
riages, ammunition, and a large quantity of shot
and shell, a considerable rumber of anchors and
the remnant Of the chain lately stretched across
the river, with a large number Of torpedoes Most
OF the huts, tents and quarters are DESTROYED The
work Is Of very great strength, consisting Of for
midable tiers OF batteries on the water side. and
on the land side surrounded by ditch and ahat
tbs. Gen: Sherman, with Lieut. Cong Phelps.
not knowing that the works were last evening
occupied by 400 cavalry of the I'd illinois, on q
scouting party sent by Gen. Sherman from Padu.
batteries, hoisting the American flag on the sum.
init OF the blum, greeted by the hearty cheers Of
our brave tars and soldiers
The force consisted Of gunboats, four mortar
boats, and three transports having on board two
regiments. and two battalions Of Infantry, under
command OF Col. Buford, Gen Cullum and GEN
sherman being In command Of the troops. The
former leaving sick bed to go ashore, discovered
what was evidently magazine on FIRE at both ex
tremites, and Immediately ordered the train 10
be cut, and thus saved the lives Of the garrison.
w lille cannot express too strongly my admira-
ZION OF the gallanIy and wise connsels Of this dis
tingulshed aid and engineer Of Gen. Halleck and
len Cullum, | must add that Commanders Dove,
walk, and Stemble, and Lieuts. Command
Paniding, Thompson, NRirk, and Phelps, the
latter being command OF The mortar division as
sisted by Lieut. Buford, Of the ordnance derart-
ment the United States army, nobly performed
their duties. have my flag aboard the Cincin-
natl, commanded by the gallant Com Stemoel.
Gen sherman remains temporarily In Command
at Columbus.
A. ii. FoorE, Flag Ofacer.