The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-02-12
NEWS ITEMS.

Saturday, Feb. 8.-Victory and omens
of victory attend the assumption BY Pres
ident Lincoln of his constitutional func-
tious as Commandcr-in- Chief of the Ar
my and Navy. The country was thrilled
yesterday not only by the announcement
of most important triumph in North
Western Tennessee, but by the indica-
tions of new vitality and more active
spirit along the whole enormous line of
operations. A few % ore events such as
the capture of Fort Henry, and the war
will be substantially at an end.
Fort Henry is situated on the eastern
bank of the Tennessee River, almost Oh
the State line of Kentucky and Tennes-
see. Itcommands the river for two miles
1t is mounted with II guns, mostly 81
aud 81 Founders one is splendid To-
iuch columbiad Some days ago feet
Of gun boats went from Paducah, aud sf-
ter accommodating with care, on Thursday
placed themselves in position, to the
number of seven, for an attack upon the
fort. In the mean time, large body of
Of Union troops, under Gen. McClernard,
was taken to point out of range from
the fort, and there landed, the object be-
ing to make an attack in the enemy's
rear. Thus matters stood on Thursday
morning. Then Flag Officer Foote, with
the Cincinnati, St. Louis, Carondelet,
and Essex, supported in reserve BY three
other boats, advanced steadily upon the
fort The movement was magniicently
cxecuted-the attacking fleet, with quiet,
unfinching spirit, sailing directly into the
very line of the hostile guns, every man
at bis post, all eager for the signal gun
which would set them free to act At
III, the first shot was fred by the Gin
cinnati then the battle went on in earn
est. TIE gunboats steamed to the closest
quarters, and poured in their shot with a
vigor of service and an unerring aim,
which must have thoroughly bewildered
the bombardcd rebels. The latter re.
turned the FIRE of our guns with determ-
inatiou, and the fight ragged hotly till lao,
at which time Gen. Tilgham uucondition-
ally surrendered, Meanwhile, force of
infantry behind the fort, in number about
5000. fled with a swiftness peculiar to
the rebels when they have not every ad-
vantage on their side, and were heard OF
no more The Union land force, which
had made Circuit in order to attack the
fort in the rear, did not reach its destina-
tiOn till two hours after the surrender
So it will be seen that this was purely a
naval victory. The enemy lost, as it is
stated by one authority, five killed and
ten badly wounded. Our loss was as-fol
lows: On the the Cincinnati, | killed
and 6 badly wounded on the Essex, {
seamen and officers were killed, Ii mer
were wounded, and were missing. The
chief portion Of this loss was by reason o.
q distressing causalty, whereby a sho
a1 kho hoitn, &c &C L.
boats, causing a number to be badl,
Scalded. Among these was Captain Por
ter, late of the Powhatan. Of prisoners
wc took General, Colonel, two Cap
tains, and not far from sixty privates-
Quite accurate details cannot be expected
yet.
In addition to the capture of the Fort
our troops have taken another most i'm
portant step in scizing the Memphis auc
Ohio Railroad. This connects Memphi.
with Bowling Green by direct line, anc
the latter place is thus cut off from i'm
mediate communication with its most i'm
pOrtant support. Another road, by
circuitous route connects the two places
mentioned, by way OF Nashville but thi
is of little use, and, moreover, a simpl
movement up the Tennessee River frou
Fort Henry will serve to cut off that roat
also Thus the rebel forces at Bowling
Green, numbering, it Is thought, 10000
are driven TO the wall. They must figh
or fee. Looking at the map of Kentuck,
and Tennessee, it will be seen that Pa
ducah and Smitband are at the heads o
the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers
An avnaditian Setfinp ont from tho fo,