Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-02-08
Particulars of the Fight at Fort
Henry

Henry. ..
CINclNNATi, Feb, THE Gazette and Com.
merclal's Cairo correspondence gives the follow
ing account of the bombardment and capture of
Fort Henry yesterday, at 1880, P. M; l.- H
The gunbosts Cincinnati, st. Louis, Caron-
dolet and Essex, the Tyler, Conestoga and
Lexington bringing up the rear, advanced bold
ly against the rebel works, going to the right of
Painter Greek Island, Immediately above which,
on the east shore Of the river, stands the forti-
fcation, and keeping out of range till at the
head Of the Island, and within one mile of the
enemy, passing the Island in full view Of the
rebel guns. We steady advanced, every man
at quarters, every ear strained to catch the fag-
officers signal gun for the commencement Of
action. b s ia 4sss4I v.e1es.s I.
Our line of battle was on the left, the ST.
Louis next, the Carondolet next, the Cincinnati
for the time being the flagship, having on board
Flag.oficer A. H. Foote, and next the Essex.
We advanced In line, the Cincinnati boats
length ahead; when at 1880, the Cincinnati
opened the ball, and immediately the three ac-
companying boats followed suit. The enemy
gave admirable response, and the fight ragged
furiously for half an hour. We steadily ad-
vanced, receiviag and returning storms Of shot
and shell, when getting within three hundred
yards Of the enemy g works, we came to stand,
and poured into them right and left. In the
mean time the Essex had been disabled and
drifted away from the scene of action, leaving
the Cincinnati, Carondolet and st. Louis alone
engaged. NAt AJ6D2
At precisely forty minutes past one the enemy
struck his colors, and such cheering, such wild
excitement as seized the throats, arms and cape,
Of the four or five hundred sailors OF the gun.
boats, can be imagined. s - aa.
After the surrender, which was made to Flag
officer Foote by Gen, Lloyd Tilghman, who dc
Tended his post In most determined manner,
we found that the rebel infantry encamped out.
side the fort, numbering four or Eve thousand,
had cut and run, leaving the rebel artillery com.
pany In command of the fort to their fate. =
The fort mounted seventeen guns, mostly
thisty-two and thirty four pounders, one being a
magnificent ten inch Columbiad. Our shots
dismounted two of their guns, driving tho ENG
my from the emhrazures. One of their rlfed
thirty-two Founders burst during the engage.
ment, wounding one Of their gunners. : 'aS q.
TheFebels claim to have had but eleven effec-
i've guns, worked BY fifty -four men, the number
all told OF our pfisoneIs. They lost FIVE killed
and ten badly wounded. 10 ha.'
The infantry left everything in their alght. Z
a vast deal Of plunder has fallen into our
hands, including large and valuable quantity
Of ordnance stores.
| Gen. Tilghman is disheartened, and thiuks |,
one of the most damaging bloWs Of the war
| In surrendering to Flag. officer Foote, The reb,
el General remarked: 81 am clad 10 eurrendeI
| to 80 gallant an officer q.
Flag-oficer FoOte replleds ,eHou do per
feetly eight, air in surrendering; bu, yon should
have blown my boata out Of Che water bpfoFs
i l would have surrendered to you"