Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-02-19
The attack an EOrt DOuesSou-- '0nipiese
routing and Cutting up of the enemy
==Dfficiai report.
l.. 5. CtunbOat Far Play, !

q
The Navy Department has received the fol-
lowing;
t.. 5. (}unboat Far Play, e
off Dover, Tenn, Feb. t.
Sir - have the honor to report that on the
Sd Instant | left Smithland, Ky, with a fleet
of transports and the gunhoats Lexington,
FAIR Play, Saint tIar, Brilliant, Robb sand
Silver Lake, as Il convoy MP the Cumberland
River.
When about twenly-four miles below, met
the steamer Wild Cat, with d message from
Col. Harding Commander of the I'ost of Do
Yer, informing me that his pickets were driven
IN and he was attacked.
Immediately left the transports aud made
a signal to the gunbont- tn follow as fast as
possible
a short distance below the town met an
other steamer bringing the Intelligence that
the place was entirely surrounded.
Rushing up with all possible speed, arrIv-
ed here about eight o'clock in the afternoon,
and found Col. Hardng's force out o ammu-
milton and entirely surrounded by rebels in
overwhelming numbers, but still holding them
in check
The enemy, not expecting the gunboats, had
unwisely posted his forces in line of battle in
the graveyard at the west end of the town,
to the river, giving us chance to throw a ia
king fire along his line.
simultaneously the gunboats opened fire up
this ravne, where the enemy had posted him
self
The rebels We're taken SO much by surprise
that they did not even fire shot, but imme-
diately commenced retreatng. So we'll di-
rected was our fire on them that they could
not even carry off a caisson that they had cap
tured from our forces, but was compelled to
abandon it after fruitless attempts to destroy
it by fire.
After having disposed OF the main body of
the enemy, l stationed the Robb and Silver
Lake below the town TO prevent the rebels
from returning to carry away the wounded
while the Lexington, Fair Play, and the 9th
ers, and Brilliant went above and sheled the
roads leadin out to the-eastward Surprising
the retreating forces would follow the river for
short distance, sent the Lexington and ST.
Clair on up to shell the roads, and harrass and
annoy the enemy as much as possible, while
this boat and the Brilliant lay opposite the up
per ravine and threw shells up the road.
& About 10 p. m. we ceased firing, with the
INCEPTION Of now and then a random shot up
~ ne roads
&& AT 1888, learning that the enemy had en-
ely disappeared, we ceased firing, and took
&position to guard the roads approaching the
IN.
Although much Of the firing was at random
II have the qualification of knowing that
IS gcey projectile went amss, and that out
j De lao buried to-day the gunboats can
their show, even when the Lexington
S St Clair wentaboye.
ANY of their shells fell IN the midst of the
nting enemy, killing and wounding many
A em.
reported that the attacking party num-
some 4500, with eight pieces Of artillery,
command of Major Gen Wheeler and
ems. Forrest and Whalon.
certainly very gratifying for US e
ut this entire force was cut up, routed
oiled Of its prey, by the timely arri-
" guhboats, and that Col. Harding
"a liant little band were spared to weal
I regretted was not here sooner
runboats, but on reflection do no.
Duld better have arranged the TIM
Dn.in my power.
been there before Gen. Wheeler, h
have made the attack, but probabl,
Ave marched on Fort Henry. 2
~ arrived during the day he woul