New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-17
OPERATIONS ON TIE CUrBER.
LAND.
OMcinI Report OF l.ient.- Gommander Fitch.

OmciaI Report OF Licnt.-s'ommander Fitch
The Navy Depar' ment has received tho following
UssfEo sTArE, CcSso.r FAIRPLAr, or DovES,}
TenE., Fe9. I, 1908.
SIR: have the honor TO report that on the &
instant left Southland Ky, W ith fleet Of trans
ports and the gunboAts Lexington, Fairploy, ST.
Clair, Brilliant Robb, AID Silver Lake, as a convoy
mp the Cumberland River When about "a miles
below, met the steamer Wild Cat, with message
from Col. Harding, commander ofthe post at Dover
Informing me that hs pckets had been driven in and
lie WAS attacked in force.
Immediately LEFT the transports, and made sigma
to the gunboats to follow on up fast possible
a short distance below the town. | met another
stenuor bringing the Intelligence that tue place Wal
entirely surrounded.
Pushing on up with oil possible speed, / arrived
here about 8 y. M. aud found Col. Harding out o.
am nsnition and entirely surrounded by Rebels in
over heluing numbers bnt still holding them IN
check. The enemy, nor expecting the sunboats, bad
unVrisey posted the main body Of bis army in line
OF battle in the graveyard at the west end OF the
town, with his Iei wing resting In a raviue that led
down 10 tho river, giving us chance 70 throw a
akpg fire along his line. Simultaneously the gnn-
boats opened FIRE UP this ravlBe, mo the grave
yard, ana over iuto the valley beyond, where the
enemy had horses hltchsd, and most probably kept
his reserve. The Rebel. were taken 80 much by
surprise that they did 30, even fire shot, but I'M
med ately commenced rciroa lag. so well directed
wa our lire "a tn.m ,hat they could cot even carry
of e4.=eon th.t they p"d Ptured FROM oGr forces,
bu, were compelled 20 abandon II alter TWO irulless
attempts 10 destroy II by fire.
A,tor having dispersed the main body OF the
enemy, stationed me k0bl aud Silver Lake below
the town TO throw shell up the rayin. aud prevent
the IL bells from rsturning to carry of the wounded,
while tue Lexington, Fa rplay, ST. CHR, and Bril-
liant went above and sAellef the roads leading our
90 the ea.tward SuPposing tie re,reaiIug forces
WOul follow the river for Ii shor. distance, | sent
the Lexington ana ii. Clair Oh ~ 60 she'll The woods
end hcrrls aud annoy TIE enemy a. much as posi-
bic. While tbs boat and the Brilliant lay opposite
the UPPER ray.ue and threw snells no th8 roads
About ID y. N. VIC ceased firing, with the eXcep-
ton oi now ANA then u random shell ny tue roads.
q II D. H., learning FROM Col. Harding thu tho
enemy haa entirely disappeared, NC ceased hrIng.
and tjok position to gaard TIC roads approaching
Ia town.
Although mncA OF our firing Was at random, We
have The qualification % know ug that scar rely "a
proierilo went am>' aGd that oat Of the iiO uuieG
tO.day the gunuOis can claim their share. Even
s1en the Lexington and Ut. Clair went above many
of their shells fell IN the mds. % the rosreaiiu !,
Robels, kiiunS ana wOuldIug many.
H. /. reported that the attacking force nun cred
some i,5Jl. with eight pieSeso artillery under tie
command Of Malor-Gen. Wheeler and Bro g rs.
Forrest auC Wtarlon. 1t ID ceriaioy very crafty
! =
rou,ci. aud piiod Of its prey ~ tie timely ~
rival al the Cu,boas, and that Col. Harding Ard
his Gallant litlle band were sparod 10 wear The
honor hey had 20 fairly won
At first regro ted WAS not here sooner with the
pnubOdts, but upou reflection DO not think coald
u,tter have arranged tie tIuc hid II Ueen 10 ny
power. Had we been here before Gen. Wheeler,
hc would not have made the attack, but most prob
hbly would have marched on Fort Henry. Had we
auiyed during tie day he would have seer Onr
srrcpgh aud would have Ietreated, but with little
loss Arriving, as We did, after dark, and W en- he
least expected us and WAS 50 sanguiac Of fuc,,es
We caugut lis forces arrange III tie nos, faN cradle
position to receive rIkug hfe iroui our guns.
The ollcers ana men were Very glad % have n
shot NJ these river iuiesters md ouly regret that
they old not remain within reach OF our guns h.le
lon er IA il is they claim The nonor OF dispe'shs
them and bavir. F0r Doueia0n.
Very rsspsc, nis yoar obodient '"rya"t, ,.t
LEROY FITCH, LicLtcnAr, Cora,'stc.ns
10 captsin A. "a. FsNsooS, u D NJ o''nHa'a'"' ''
aftnu All