The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-07

services were required, contributing by their
services 10 the victories achieved at Mem
phis. Fvris Henry aud Donelson, Island No.
10, Forts Pillow and Hindman, Belmont,
Shiloh, Gicksburg, and various other places.
EARLY IN THE CONFLICT
a naval station was established near
Cairo, H., which was used as repairing,
recruiting, and supply station during the
entire war, it being in charge of Capt. A.
M. pennock. At tie close of the war it was
discontinued as naval station.
Gen. H. w. Halieck, who commanded the
Western Department. at that time, had head
quarters at St. Louis, and naval head
quarters were established at Cairo, where
Gen. Grant, who held a subordinate COM
mand, was also stationed
After the capture of Belmont by our
united fsrces, in November, 1861, a plan OF
operations against the enemy was agreed
upon by Flag Officer Foote and Gen. U. S,
Grant
CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY.
Almost iranortant victory, and one achieved
exclusively hv the Western Flotilla, WAS the
capture of Fort Henry, on the 9Th OF February,
1862 This fort was situated en- tie tennessee
River mounting l. guns, and garrlsoned by
1900 men. under Gen. Tilghulan, who surren-
derea to Flag Officer Focte, after 4 severe bom-
bardment OF several hours. Shortly after lis
capture it was turned over 10 Gen. Grant who
arrived on the scene after its surrender. In
this engagement Capt. w. ID. Porter, of the
vunboat Essex was severely wounded, and
several of his crew were killed.
This important victory is very appropriately
referred o in a complimentary letter written by
the Navy Department to Capt. Foote, of which
the following is copy:
NAVY iJFPA RTsfEST. Feb 13, 1852
STr. Yo,ir letter OF the 7tll inst. comm unicatng
the details of your great success in the capture oi
Fort IIensy is just received bad previously M
formed v,ll oi the reception of your teiegraphlc
dispatch announcing, the event, which gave the
highest satisfaction o the couistry.
We bsse too day the repor Of Liea;enantCom-
rnander Phelps, with the gratifying results OF his
successful pursuit and capture aild destruction OF
the Confederate steamers aud the desperation OF
hostile ca nrs far up the Tennessee ae tiorence
most cordially and sincerely congratulate you
and the officers and men under your command on
these heroic achievements, accomplished under
extraordinary circumstances.
The labor you have performed and the services
YOU have rendered in creating the armed fellia OF
gunboats the Western waters, and IN bringing
Together for effective operation the force winch mas
earned such renown, can never be oyerestimated.
lam, .tspectfully, GIDEON WELLEs.
FORT DoNELsoN,
Eituatet. IN the west bank of the Cumberland
River, near the town of Dover. next demanded
our attention; and by earnest solicitation of
Gems. Haleck and Grant Flag Officer Foote
proceeded 10 that locality with his gunboats
and rendered valuable services, resulting III Its
surrender On Sunday, Feb. 16, 1862. In this
engagement Capt. Feote was severely wounded,
from the effects of which be was shortly after
ward compelled to relinquish command, and
he died soon after being relieved.
The hoiilla then turned its attention to
Fort Columbus but the Confederates evacuated
on our approach. Further aggressive hostili-
ties were continued, in connection with the
army, at Corinth, Fort Pillow. New Madrid,
and Island M. 10. The latter place surren-
derea to Capt. Foote on the 9Th of April, 1862.
and thus opered the Mississippi River ali the
way to Fort Pillow, which could only be cap
tured by combined army aud naval force.
Island No. 10 was the last engagement fought
by Capt Foote. and the Department gratefully
appreciated the important services he rendered
in connection with an army corps under Gen.
Pope
The following vote of thanks TO Capt. Foote
for his services is interesting in this connec-
tiOn:
Resolred That The thanks of Congress and of the
American people due and are Hereby rendered
TO Capt. A. u. Foote, OF the United States Navy.
and TO the officers and men OF tie Western Flo
tillR under his command. for The great galiantry
exhibited by them III the at acas upon Forts Henry
ard l9sselson- fsr their efficiency ia opening the
Tennessee, Cumberland. and SIississppi Rivers to
the pursuits of lawful commerce. ana for their
wareriiFg devosen to the cause of The country ia
tie midst of i. greatest difficulties and dangers
Approved March le 1852.
Flag Officer Davis, who was appointed to
command the little squadron. proved equally
as aggressive as Foote. His first engagement
with a rebel hotilla, under J. i. Montgomery,
at Plum Point Bend, five miles above Fort Pill
-esuftp6 in fTuian victory and eveuiu-
ally compelled the evacuation of Fort Pillow
on June /, IS52. II was turned over to Col.
Fitch, of the army.
TIE BATTLE OF MEMPHIS
in which nearly all the vessels of the West
ern Flofilla participated, took place June g.
1862 resulting in the capture or destruction
of the Confederate feet under Montgom-
cry. Our forces then occupied Memphis, q
loss TO the enemy from which they never
recovered. The city was Immediately occu-
pied By Indiana troops under Col. Fitch
Much hard service was afterwards rendered by
the feet on tic Charles and Yazoo Rivers. In
the Fall of 1852 Admiral ID. d. Porter was
assigned to command and his valuable services
at Ycss5urg. the Red River, and elsewhere
are matters OF history.
Admiral Porter concentrated a greater part
of his squadron at fielzsburg Miss. where be
co-opeTated gith the land forces under Gen
Grant in reducing that famous stronghold to
the authority OF the National Government, and
never did commander work as industriously
as be did for the accomplishment of the object
IN view. aud the service rendered is worthy to
be ranked among the brightest events of the
war.
The gunboats Lancaster, Cincinnati, switzer-
land, and Cairo were sunk By masked batteries
and torpedoes. The crews of other vessels
were dccimated BY sickness and casualties In
action. Navigation became extremely danger
Gus, as The Confederate authorities had con-
tracted with certain parties to destroy the YES
sells by system of dangerous torpedoes planted
in the rivers and operated from signal-stations
on shore. Yet with ali these obstacles to over.
come
THE cEAsELEss ACTIVITY
Of Admiral Porter in the disposition of hi:
forces demonstrated his fitness for the response.
biiities devolving upon him. From the time
he assumed command until tie surrender OF
kicksburg his mortar boats fred 1900 shells
The gunbeats fred $500, and $500 were fred
by naval battery on shore.
The army at Yieksburg did equally as well
and It's operations there during the protracted
Siege constitute bright page in our country,
history, and in the official report of its sur
render credit is given 10 Admiral Porter's serv
ices
In briefly reviewing the extent and impor
tanee Of tiie service rendered by the Western
flotllis 100 much praise cannot be accorded ths
memory Of the dead or the heroic living
Their names and gallant deeds will long be re
membered by their assocates-in-arms. MANY
OF them sleep beneath the turbid waters Of TIA,