The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-15
OPERATIONS ON THE CUMBERLAND.
omci"i Report ofktcutcnant Conn nacr
Fitch

omcimi Report ofkscutcnant Conn nrc u
Fitch.
ihe Navy department has eceiv-d the following
usnxD STAINS GuSsoAr FAIRrLAY,t
oFf DoykR. Tenn, Feb. 4, 1868 I
SIR have the honor TO report that on the 80 instant
iioit smhhand H. with fleet OF transports and the
gunooats Lexington, Fairplay ST. Clair Brilliant Robb
and silver Lake, a convoy up the Cumberland river
Whom about twenty four miles below me, the steamer
Wild Cat with message from Colonel Harding. com
mander OF tho post at Dover, Informing me that bs
pckeis had boon driven In aud he was attacked IN frce
Immediately left tho transports and made sigma 10
the gnnaoas " follow up fast possible sh,rt
ustance below tho met another steamer bringing
thQ intelligence thai the place entirely surrounded
Pushing on up with all possible speed, arrived hero
and entirely surrounded by rebels IN overwhelming
numbers but sti'l holding them Ia check The enemy
not expecting tho gunboa,s had unwscly posted tho
main body Of his army In line Of battle tho graveyard
nt the west end Of the town. with hs Left wing resting
in ravine that led down TO the river giving
chance 70 throw raking along his line stimuli.
taucousy tho gunboas opened hro up ths rayne into
tho graveyard and over into tho valley beyond where
tho enemy had horses hitched and most probably kept
his Tho rebels taken much by surprise
that they did not oven fire shot. but Immediately
mcnced retreatibg So well directed wins fire them
that they could not carry of casson that they had
captured from our forces but were compelled abandon
il aster two fru,tless attempts to destroy II by Are.
After having dispersed the main body OF tho enemy,
stationed the obb and Silver Lake below tho town to
throw shell up the rayinc and prevent the rebels from
returning carry of the wounded while the Lexington
Farpay st. Clair and Brilliant went above and sheed
the roads loading out To the eastward Surprising tho
rereating forces would follow tho river for
short distance sent the Lexington st Clair OH up 10
se tho woods and harass and annoy the enemy much
possible while this boat and the Brilliant lay opposite
the upf,or rayine and threw shells up the roads.
About r. NJ ceased firing with the exception u
now and then a random shell up the roads. AZ eleven r.
NJ learning from Colonel Hardin that the enemy had en-
tlrel disappeared ceased firing and took position
10 guard the roads approaching the town
Although much OF nrfng ut random have
the qualifications a knowing that scarcely proJcctilo
went amss and that out Of tho hundred and forty
buried to-day the gunboats claim their share Even
when the IsxngtOn and 1t. Clair went above many or
their shells fell In the midst Of the retroatng cbes
Killing and wounding many
Is reported that tie attacking force numbered some
four thousand Ave hundred, with eight pieces q artillery
dicr Generals torro$t and wharton II In certainly very
gratifying for know that this entire force cut
up routed and despoed OF It's by tho timely arrival
OF the gunboats and that Colonel Harding mud his gallant
fairly won.
AT first regretted not hero sooner with the gun
boats, but upon reflection do not think could better
have arranged tho timo had It been In my power. Had
becn here before General Wheeler, he would
not have made tho attack but most probably
would have marched on Fort Henry. Hal
rived during the day he would have strength and
would have retreated but with little loss Arriving
did after dark when he expected US and was
ssngune OF SUCCESS caught his forces arranged In
the favorable position to receive raking fire from
our guns.
Tho officers and men were very glad 10 have shot Mt
these river nfesters and only regret that hcy did
remain within the roach OF our guns little longer AS
they claim the honor Of dispensing them and saving
Fort Donelson
Very respectfully your obedient servant
LEROY FITCH Lieutenant Commanding.
To Captain A, PKssocK, Y. s. NJ, Commandment Naval
Station Cairo, Ill.