Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-02-12

of another important success OF the Natlohai
arms Fort Henry on the Tennessee river
has fallen, the rebel force there has been pat
to an inglorious rout, the railroad between
Bowling Green and Columbus is IN our pos
session, and the National banner is again
planted upon the soil of Tennessee. Though
this victory appears to have been cheaply won,
the main body of the rebels precipitaIely re-
treating when their artillerists were shelled
out of the Fort by the gunboats Its results,
in a Stragetieal point, are even more lmpor-
tant than those of the victory at Somerset
1t gives to our forces the possession OF the
Tennessee river, by which way into the IN
terror Of the State is opened; It breaks the
communication between Bowling Green and
Columbus and threatens the rebel forces at
both these points with flank movement.-
A similar expedition up the Cumberland 1iil
secure possession of Fort Donelson, and with
the command of both rivers the commuuica-
ton between Nashville and Bowling Green
will be broken, thus forcing the rebels there
to retreat or come out of their entrenchments
and fight
The expedition against Fort Henry consis-
ted of seven gunboats under the immediate
command of Com. Foote, and from eight to
ten thousand men under command of Gen.
U. S, Graut. The Fort was subdued entirely
by the gunboats after less than two hours
bombardment. The artillcrists in the Fort,
with the command r of the post, Gen. Lloyd
Tilghman, formerly of Maryland, were ia
ken prisoners. The rebel infantry, eneanped
outside of the Fort, and said to number four
or five thousand, when the Fort surrendered
precipitately fed, leaving behind a large
amount of camp equipage and ammunition.
The Fort was bravsly defended, but the con-
centrated fire of the gunboats, delivered to
wards the close Of the action at distance of
only three hundred yards, could not be sue
cessfully resisted Gen. Tilghman in sur
rendering spoke of the defeat as the most
serious disaster of the war. The gunboat
Cincinnati. Com. Foote'S flag ship, received
thirty shots, but continued the fight until the
end. The most serious damage on our side
was received by the gunboat Essex. Around
shot killed her second in command, Capt.
Britain, and penetrating one of her boilers
caused it to explode, by which number of
her crew were scalded to death and others
jumping overheard were drowned. The Gin
cinnati had one killed and six wounded
There we're no casualties on the other boats.
The conduct Of the crews of the gunboats
was splendid. They fought with the great
est spirit and without a man finching.
The unfortunate town of Harper's Ferry
was again the scene of stirring events or Fri
day. resulting in the greater portion of it be-
ing reduced to ashes A Rebel flag Of truce
having approached the river, boat was sent
over to them, which was fred upon and one
of the boatmen killed. Colonel Geary imme
dately ordered the sheliDg of the houses in
which the Rebel rifemcn were concealed in
GLIDING the Wager Hotel all of which were
subsequently burned. Anothed Rebel flag
afterwards approached the river, bat Colonel
Geary warned them off, refusing to receive it.
General Lander has again occupied Rom
ney, Virginia, with the Federal forces, the
Rebels having fallen back to Winchester
Gen. Stone, commanding division of
the army on the Upper Potomac, was on
Sunday arrested by the military authorities
in Washington, and he is now lodged in
Fort Lafayette. Ever since the disastrous
affair OF Balls Bluff, when the lamented
Baker fell, vague suspicious have existed
in regard to his capacity and loyalty, and
they have eliminated in his arrest. The
charges preferred against him are of most
serious nature
First. For misbehavior at the battle of
Balls Bluff. -
Second For holding correspondence
with the enemy before and since the battle
of Balls Bluff, and receiving visits from
rebel officers in his camp. ..5- -
Third. For treacherously suffering the
enemy 10 build fort or strong work since
the battle of BalPs Bluff under his guns
without melestation. Il
Fourth. For treacherous design to xpose
his force to capture and destruction by the
enemy under pretence of orders for move
ment from the Commanding General, which
had not been given. ....
Fifth. A court martial will be speedily
ordered.
Dispatches from West Tennessee state
that our forces were still encamped in the
vicinity OF Fort Henry, bat preparations for
further movements were progressing. Five
additional regiments had been ordered to
rendezvous there. The Rebels who fed
from Fort Henry are at Fort Donelson, and
the whole force there is supposed to be
from eight to ten thousand The Rebel
steamer Orr was chased by our gunboats
and burned by the Rebels. Several Reb-
ell steamers are reported to have been cap
tured. The alarm throug out Tennessee
ond tbo