Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-05

WASHINGTON, March 4.-Secretary Welles
this evening received the following dispatch,
dated
COLUMBUS, NY, March 4, 1862
"ST:-Columbus is in our possession. My
armed reconnaissance, on the 81 inst, caused a
hasty evacuation of the rebels they leaving
quite number of guns and carriages, ammu
milton and stores, large quantity of shot and
shell, a considerable number of anchors, and
the remnant of the chain lately stretched
across the river, with large number of torpe.
does. Most OF the huis, tents and quarters were
destroyed. The works are of very great
strength, consisting OF formidable Tiers of bat
teries on the water side, and on the land side
surrounded by ditch and abattis.
Gen. Sherman, with lieutenant commanding
Phelps, not knowing that they were last eve
ming occupied by four hundred of the second
Illinois cavalry, on scouting party sent by
Gen. Sherman from Paducah, made bold dash
to the shore under the batteries, hosting the
American flag on tie bluff twas greeted by
the cheers of our brave tars and soldiers. The
force consisted Of six gunboats, four mortar
boats, and three transports, having on board
two regiments and two battalions of infantry,
under command of Col Bufford, Gen. Cuilum
and Gen, Sherman being in command Of the
troops. The former, leaving sick bed to 90
ashore, discovered what was evidently mag.
azine on fire at both extremities, and immedi-
ately ordered the train to be cut, and thus
saved the lives of the garrison
While cannot express too strongly my
admiration of the gallantry and wise counsels
of the distinguished aid and engineer of Gen.
Halleck and Gen. Cullum, mus. add that
commanders Dove, Walker, and Stemble, and
lieutenants commanding Paulding, Thompson,
Shirk and Phelps, the latter being in com-
mand of the mortar division, assisted by lieu
tenant Leeford of the ordnance corps of the
United States army, nobly performed their
duty. l have my flag on board the Cincin-
natl, commanded by the gallant commander
Stemble. Gen. Sherman remains temporarily
in command at Columbus.
(Signed) A. II. FoorE, Flag officer"
The following was received at the headquar.
tiers of the army to night:
COLUMBUS, KY, MARCH 4, VIA CAIRO
To Major General Nc CielIan columbus the
Gibralter Of the west is ours, and Kentucky is
free. Thanks TO the brilliant strategy of the
campaign, by which the enemy's center was
pierced at forts Henry and Donelson, his
wings isolated from each other and turned,
compelling thus the evacuation of his strong
hold of Bowling Green first and now Column
bus. The fOtilla under flag officer Foote con-
sisting oil six gunboats, commanded by Capts
Dove, Walker, Stenble Paulding, Thomp,
son, and Sklrk, ard four mortar boats in
charge Of Capt. Phelps, U. S. navy, assisted
by Lieut.. Ford of the ordnance corps, U. S.
army, and three transports, conveying Col.
Butfords 9th Illinois regiment, and bat
talon of the 54lh Indiana, 74th Ohio, and 55th
Illinois, commanded by Majors Andrews and
Sanger, the whole brigade being under Brig.
Gen. Sherman, who rendered the most valua-
BILE and efficient assistance. On arriving at
Columbus, it was difficult to say whether the
Notifications were occupied by our own cav
airy, on a scout from Paducah or by the
enemy. Every preparation was made for
opening fire and landing infantry, when
Gen. Sherman and Capt. Phelps, with thirty
soldiers, made a dashing recon oissance with
tug, steaming directly under lul water bat
teries. Satisfied that our troops mad posses.
sion, they landed, assembled to the summit of
of the bluff, and together planted the stars
and stripes, among the heartiest cheers of our
brave tars and soldiers.
Though rising from sick bed to go upon
the expedition, l could not resist landing and
examining the works, which are of immense
strength consisting of tier upon tier of bat
teres on the river front, and a strong parapet
and ditch, crossed by thick abattis, on the
land side. The Notifications appear to have
been evacuated hastily, considering the guam
titles of ordnance and ordnance stores, number
Of anchors, and remnant of the chain once
stretched over the river, and large supply of
torpedoes remaining. Desolation was visible
every where-huts, tents, and barrlcades, pre-.
senting hut their backened remains-though
the town spared. l discovered what APP
peared to be a large magazine, smoking from
both extremties. l ordered the train to be
Immediately cut. A garrison was left in the
work OF nearly 1000 infantry and 400 cavalry,
which will strengthen Immediately.
[Signedl GEO. w. CULLUM,
Brig. Cen, Chief of Staff
A man representing himself as a unionist,
say that the rebels have mined portions of