The National tribune., 1895-02-07

The difficulties with which the navy had
TO contend on the Atlantic Coast were many,
and the duty was harassing, but at least
we had sea-room and intervals of rest. On
the Western waters it was different Cool
ness and courage were at all times required,
and readiness for duty that interfered with
the natural rest so essential to a preservation
of vitality.
The three wooden gunboats which consti-
tuted the advance-guard of the Western
Flotilla were the Taylor, mounting seven
guns; the Lexington, mounting five guns
and the ConestOga, mounting three guns.
While these vessels and others ADDED to
their number were under command OF Flag
Officer Foote, they were subject to the orders
of Gen. HalIeck, whose Headquarters were
then at ST. Louis, Mo-
On Sept. 4, 1861. Gen. Grant established
Headquarters at Cairo Ill His district
seemed to have included part of Missouri,
southern Illinois, western Kentucky, Ten
nessee, and SO much other territory as might
come into control Of National forces from
time TO time
About the middle Of November, 1861, a
combined army and navy expedition, under
Gen. Grant and Flag Officer Foote, defeated
a force of Confederates and won import
ant victory at Belmont. Two guns and sew
eral hundred prisoners were captured from
the enemy at this place.
These distinguished officers next turned
their attention TO Fort Henry, situated on
the Tennessee River, and the following in
teresting account OF its capture is taken
from Flag-Oficer Foote'S official report Of
the affair:
CAIRO H. Feb. T. 1862
SIR: have the honor 10 report that on the 9th
inst. 1890 O'Clock p. IN. made an attack on Fort
Henry with The guuboats Cincinnati. Capt Stem
bic. Esser Can't Porter: Carondelet Capt Wake;
St. Louis. Capt. Psulding ConestoRa, Capt Phelps;
Taylor, Capt Gwinn and Lexington. Capt. Shirk.
The fire opened 100 yards distance from tie
flagship. We approached the fort under slow
steaming hl we reached within GOO yards Of the
rebel batteries. The fire both from the RunboEts
and the fort increased both 10 rapidly and sccu-
rscy Of range. The firing continued with
unabated rapidity aud effect upon the gunbosts as
they continued TO still approach the fort with their
destructive fire until the rebel flag hauled
down after a severe and closely-eontesled action
of hour and is minutes. . K received
the surrender of Gen. TiRlrman, his Adintant-
General Captain Of Engineers, aud about l1O men
az prisoners together with tie fort and it, effects.
mounting 20 guns, mostly OF beavy chliber, with
barracks and tents capable OF accommodating 49,
900 men, and sundry articles, which. turned the
fort and it's effects over TO Gen. Grant. command
ing the army. his arrival. one hour after had
made the capture, he will be enabled TO give the
Government 3 more correct statement than 1 am
enabled TO communicate from the short time had
possession. . All the officers aud men gal
lantly performed their duty and. considering the
ltle experience they have had under fire, far more
than realized my expectations.
Fort Henry was defended with the most deter
mined gsllantry by Gen. Tilghman, who. from his
own account. went into action with ii guns OF
heavy cRlibcr bearing upon our boats, which be
fought until seven Of the number were dismountcd
Or otherwise rendered useless
Very respectfully. A. III. FooTE, Flag Officer
Hon. SfDEoE WELLEs. Secretary of the Navy.
Several additional vessels had meantime
been added TO the Mississippi fetilla, and
its usefulness in cooperating with the army
generally recognized. In a communication
70 the Navy Department, dated Feb. 10
1862, Flag Officer Foote said:
81 am now with the ironclad steamer
ascending the Cumberland River TO cooper
ate with Gen. Grant in the attack on For
Donelson."
Two days after, namely, on the 14th, thi
attack took place, and among the severely
wounded was the distinguished Flag-Officer
Yet, Notwithstanding that fact, he continued
on duty, directing the movements of bi
feet at GAINESVILLE. Nashville, and Pittsburg
Tenn, Columbus, KY, New Madrid, Mo.
Fort Pillow, and Island No. 10.
The following extract from his officia
report OF the surrender of the latter place j
interesting in this connection:
orr ISLAND No. 10. April s. 1862
SIR: My telegram three hours since infoYme
the Department that Island No. 10 had surrendere
20 the eunboRts. j have directed Gen. Buforo
commanding the troops 10 proceed immediatel
In company with two OF the guDboats and TAX
possession OF the Island. Seventeen Oft1ccrs an
300 privstes prisoners in our hands There sr
ii earthworks, with 20 heavy cannon. varying i
csiiber from 81 10 100 Founders. rified. The mags
srge quantities Of shot and shell also great quaint