Daily national Republican., 1863-02-14
IMrnnrANr rRoM rnn MnaT.
A FEDERAL VICTORTt
THE NAVY SAVES THE ARMY AT DOVER
Nf TKNNEssKE. III. L
DEFEAT AND TOTAL RouT OF FORCES
UNDER REBEL GENERALS WHEELER,
FORREST AND WHARTON.
&c., &e.,
The following important dispatch was re-
celvsd at the Navy Department to-day;

ceiysd at the Navy Department today;
U. 8. GUNBoAT FAIR PLAY,
on Dover, Tennessee,
... February Z, 1893.
SIR. have the honor to report that on the
Sd inst. len smithland, KY, with feet Of
transports, and the gunboats Lexington, Fair
Play, 81. Clair, Brilliant, Robb, and Silver
Lake, as convoy up the Cumberland river.
When about twenty-four miles below Dover
| met the steamer wild Cat, with message
| from Col. Harding commandant of the post
at Dover, informing me that his plckets had
been driven In and that he was attacked In
force. I Immediately left the transports, and
made signal to the gunboats TO follow on up as
fast as possible. A short distance below the
town ! met another steamer bringing intellI-
gence that the place was entirely surrounded
Pushing on up with all possible speed, I ar
rived here about s p. M, and found Col. Hard
ing's force out Of ammunition, and entirely
surrounded by the rebels In overwhelming
numbers, but still holding them in check.
The enemy not expecting gunboats had un-
wisely posted the main body OF his army In line
Of battle in the grave yard at the west end OF
the town, with his left wing resting In ravine
that led down to the river, giving us q chance
to throw a raking fire along his line.
simultaneously the gunbOats opened FIRE up
this ravine, into the grave yard, and over into
the valley beyond, where the enemy had horses
hitched, and most probably kept his reserve.
| The rebels were so much taken by surprise
that they did not even fire a shot, but immedi.
ately commenced retreating. SO well directed
was our fire on them, that they could not even
carry of a caisson that they had captured from
our forces, but were compelled TO abandon Il,
after two fruitless attempts TO destroy II by
fire.
After having dispersed the main body of the
enemy, stationed the Robb and Silver Lake
below the town, to throw shell up the ravne
and prevent the rebels from returning to carry
oil the wounded, while the Lexington, Fair
play, St. Clair, and Brilliant, went above, and
shelled the roads leading out to the eastward
Surprising the retreatlng forces would follow
the river for a short distance, l sent the Lex
ingtOn and st. Clair on up, TO shell the woods
harsss and annoy them as much a. possible
while this boat and the Brilliant lay opposite
the upper ravine, and threw shells up the roads
About 10 a. M, we ceased firing, with the
exception Of now and then a random shell M
the roads. At II p. M, learning from COlone
Harding that the enemy had entirely dlsap
peared, we ceased firing, and took position L
, guard the roads approaching the town.
Although much Of our firing was at random
l we have the qualification of knowing tina
scarcely projectile went amiss, and that ou
of the one hundred and forty buried to-day, tn
gunbOats can claim their share.
Even when the Lexington and st. Clair wen
above, many of their shells fell right In tn
midst Of the retreating rebels, killing anC
, wounding many.
1t Is reported that the attacking force mum
bered some 4, 800, with eight pieces Of artillery
under command Of Maj. Gen. Wheeler, an,
Brig. Gems. Forrest and Wharton. Il is Ger
tainly very gratifying to us to know that thi
entire force was cut up, routed, and despoile,
;, of Its prey, by the timely arrival of the gun
. . boats, and that Col. Harding and his galian
little band were spared 10 wear the honors the
: had 30 fairly won.
U At first / regretted that was not here wit
7 the gunboats sooner, but upon reflection | d
+ not think l could better have arranged tn
g time, had 1t been in my power.
: Had we been here before Wheeler, he woul
a not have made the attack, but, most probably
would have marched on Fort Henry
f. Had we arrived during the day, he woul
n have seen our strength, and would have r,
Is treated with but little loss.
e Arriving, as we did, after dark, and when h
e least expected us, and was so sangulne Of SUE
:. cess, we caught his forces arranged In the mos
h favorable position TO receive a raking fire froG
/. our guns.
e The officers and men were very glad to hay
. a shot at these river infesters, and only Tsgrt
a that they did not remain within reach OF ou
!. gun a little longer. As IL Is, they claim ii
. honor Of dispensing them and saving Fo
DOnelson.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LIE ROY FITCH
Lieut.. Commander.
Fleet Capt. A. @. NJ. PENNooK, U.S.N.
l. COmd't Of Naval Station, Cairo, Ill.