New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-17
TIE LATEST WAR NEWS.

which the late OF the attack upon that keDel
stronghold was regarded by the community.
On Saturday the news camo that the Rebels had
evacuated Bowling Green, and stimuli 'aneOusy
Rebel report that our troops had been
repulsed at all points. 1t was feared, in view
of these facts, that the fort had been re-
enforced by Buckner's entire command, and
that our troops were Outnumbered. Later
ai'ices happily dsspate these sP-
prehensions. The dispatch from Gen.
Buell. snDounccs that bis advance, under Gen.
Mitchell reached the river, opposite Bowling
Green, on Friday, by o forced march. The
enemy fearing the passage OF his force across
the river by tho remaining bridge there,
burned that Immediately, or so much of it as
TO render it impossible. Gen. Mitchell OF
once set about constructing another, under the
protection of his guns. The enemy thereupon
evacuated their Bowling Green stronghold on
Friday night, and General Mitchell i2 no"
in possession, there being no enemy left to
oppose him, and be lad merely 10 cross the river.
General Buell. had concentrated e large force
in the ncichborhOod, with which doubtless 10
march directly on Nashville after having re-
duced Bowling Green, and he IL doubtless close
upon tie heels Of the Rebels. 1t il the impression
in military circles in Washington that on eyacn-
atiDg their Bowling Green stronghold on In
day night the main body, if lot all the Rebel
army, fled directly toward Nashville as to-
ATTEMPT 10 re-erforcc Fort Donelsol would
he a Hell.ni hopelers undertaking, and
would inevitably be followed almost immedi-
atey By the fail Of Nashville before the main
BODY of Buelrs army, ard the iaI Of
Knoxville before the division of Gen. Thomas
Subsequent to the fret cheering dispatch,
there came other kilograms, with such facts,
in regard to the progress Of the battle, as
could be obtained which rather modified the
tirst report and lefs degree Of painful uncer-
tajDty "a to the result. Commodore EOote
officially apprizes tae Navy Department that on
Friday afternoon az three O'Clock he attacked
the Fort with four iron.cad gunboats aud two
wooden ones, aud after one hour and quarter
severe fighting, tie after part OF the do, with
10 less than four hundred yardh OF the fort, Ito
wheel of tho ST. Louis and the tiler
of the Louisville we're shot away, rendering
the two boats unmanageable. They then
! drifted down the river. The two remaining
boats we're greatly damaged between wind aud
: water The st. Louis alone received - shots,
and the other, about half that number
each There were - killed and wounded in
This attack, which he bad reason 10 suppose
would. in fifteen minutes more, could the ac-
= ton have been continued, have resulted ia The
CAPTURE Of the fort bearing upon them, % The
. enemy YVES ruDni0g from his batteries when
the two guuboats helplessly driitcd down the
river from disabled steering apparatus.
As they drifted of, the rebels IT.
turned to their batteries, aud blazed away
at the guuboats more herccly than ever.
The elemys Gfing was Very accurate.
They lad three batteries, one near the water,
one fly feet above tais, and third fifty feel
above the second. Tie upper Que mounted four
ls.pouuders. This one was held in reserve
until the gunboats got within four hundred
serJ. Of the fort. Our FIRE Nas directed prin-
cipay at the water battery. one of tht
enem,'s guns burst aud number we're dis
mounted. The enemy could be sccu carrying tl'
dead out Of the trenches. All TIE guIDosts wer,
left up :he Cumberland except The COnestoga
She lett there On saturday morning. Com. Foot
adds: d" On consultation Hith Gen. Grant and mj
" own oGicers--os my services here, until wc car
d" repair damages By bringing up competent
" force from Cairo Ia atiacl. the fort, ara muci
d" less required than they ar a! CairO--l shal
proceed 10 that place. | have scni th'
"qllcr to Tie Tennessee River to rem
der the railroad bridge impossible.
On Saturday morning Com. EOoie drpatcIeC
TIE mortar-boats up the Cumberland, 70 81
cage in the battle. Tbcso formidable engine
arc constructed Of great beams Of timber
placed tranuerscly, and bclted and bracei to
gcthcr. They have no hold, aid cannot be
sum-, unless shot TO pieces. Tho mortar.
weigh =. tuns each, and throw a 2i2-ponnr
shell, with accuracy, > miles, 80 that they maj
be anchored pretty wei out Of reach Of tic Rcbe
O rlyed in time 10 participate in the actor
{ yesterday. The fighting on Friday and Sat
y urday was severe, and the lOes heavy OF
both sdc,, including two Union Colonies killed
z and two wounded. Our latest dates are to
8 p. m. on Saturday. Swariz's battery, which
n was taken by tie enemy, was rccaptured by oui
!. men. Tho upper fort was taken at o'clock
9 and the Uuon flag is now floating over It. Oui
c troops behaved with great gallaniry. Gen. Gran
# tlegrnphed, after the taking of this fort that The
), position gained commanded DonelsoD, an,
1t he would capture that fort yesterday. The Rebels