Thomas B. the fire, shooting Zollicoffer through the heart. CHAP. VIL The fall of the rebel commander served to hasten and complete the defeat of the Confederates. They retreated in disorder to their fortified camp at Mill Springs. Thomas ordered immediate pursuit, and the same night invested their camp and made preparations to storm their intrenchments the following morning. When day came, however, it was found that the rebels had crossed the Cumberland River during the night, abandoning their wounded, twelve pieces of artillery, many small arms, and extensive supplies, and had fled in utter dispersion to the mountains. It was one of the most remarkable Union victories of the war. Gen- Van Horne, eral Thomas's forces consisted of a little over six regiments, those of Crittenden and Zollicoffer of over ten regiments. It was more than a defeat for the Confederates. Their army was annihilated, and Cumberland Gap once more stood exposed, so that Buell might have sent a Union column and taken possession of Eastern Tennessee with but feeble opposition. It is possible that the brilliant opportunity would at last have tempted him to comply with the urgent wishes of the President and the express orders of the General-in-Chief, had not unexpected events in another quarter diverted his attention and interest. There was everywhere, about the months of December, 1861, and January, 1862, a perceptible increase of the Union armies by fresh regiments from the Northern States, a better supply of arms through recent importations, an increase of funds from new loans, and the delivery for use of various war materials, the product of the summer's manu of the Army of the Cumberland." Vol. I., p. 57. CHAP. VII. facture. Of prime importance to the military operations which centered at Cairo was the completion and equipment of the new gunboats. A word of retrospect concerning this arm of the military service is here necessary. Commander John Rodgers was sent West in the month of May, 1861, to begin the construction of war vessels for Western rivers. Without definite plans, he had purchased, and hastily converted and armed as best he could, three river steamers. These were put into service in September; they were provided with cannon, but had no iron plating. They were the Tyler, of seven guns, the Lexington, of six guns, and the Conestoga, of three guns. Making Cairo their central station, they served admirably in the lighter duties of river police, in guarding transports, and in making hasty trips of reconnaissance. For the great expedition down the Mississippi, projected during the summer and fall of 1861, a more powerful class of vessels was provided. The distinguished civil engineer, James B. Eads, designed, and was authorized to build, seven new gunboats, to carry thirteen guns each, and to be protected about the bows with iron plating capable of resisting the fire of heavy artillery. They were named the Cairo, Carondelet, Cincinnati, Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg, and St. Louis. Two additional gunboats of the same type of construction, but of 1 To show the unremitting interest of the President in these preparations, and how his encouragement and prompting followed even their minor details, we quote from his autograph manuscript a note to the Secretary of War dated Jan. 24, 1862: "On reflection, I think you better make a peremptory order on the ordnance officer at Pittsburgh to ship the ten mortars and two beds to Cairo instantly, and all others as fast as finished till ordered to stop, reporting each shipment to the department here." Foote to 1862. W. R. larger size, the Benton, of sixteen guns, and the CHAP. VIL Essex, of five guns,-were converted from other vessels about the same time. At the time Commodore Foote finally accepted the first seven (January 15, 1862), it was found impossible to supply them with crews of Eastern seamen. Resort was had to Western steamboatmen, and also to volunteers from infantry recruits. Vol. VIII., pp. 504, 505. Smith to Asst. Adj.Gen., Jan. 22, Vol. VII., p. 561. The joint reconnaissance of Grant and Foote to Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, January 14, has been related. A second examination was made by General C. F. Smith, who on January 22 reported that he had been within two miles and a half of the fort; that the river had risen fourteen feet since the last visit, giving a better opportunity to reconnoiter; more important, that the high water had drowned out a troublesome advance battery, and that, in his opinion, two iron-clad gunboats could make short work 1862. w. R. of it. It is evident that, possessed of this additional information, Grant and Foote immediately resolved upon vigorous measures. Grant had already asked permission to visit Halleck at St. Louis. This was given; but Halleck refused to entertain his project of an attack. So firmly convinced was Grant, however, that his plan was good, that, though unsuccessful at first, he quickly re- "Memoirs." newed the request. "Commanding-General Grant and myself," telegraphed Foote to Halleck (January 28, 1862), "are of opinion that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, can be carried with four iron-clad gunboats and troops to permanently occupy. Have we your authority to move for that purpose when 1862, W. R. ready?" To this Grant on the same day added Grant, Vol. I., p. 287. Foote to Vol. VII., p. 120. Grant Jan. 28, CHAP. VII. the direct proposal: "With permission, I will take to Halleck, Fort Henry, on the Tennessee, and establish and 1862. W. R. hold a large camp there." It would appear that no immediate answer was returned, for on the following day Grant renewed his proposition with more emphasis. Vol. VII., p. 121. Ibid. McClellan to Halleck and Buell, Jan. 29, 1862. W. R. Vol. VII., p. 571. It is easy to perceive what produced a change in Halleck's mind. Grant's persistent urging was evidently the main influence, but two other events contributed essentially to the result. The first was the important victory gained by Thomas at Mill Springs in Eastern Kentucky on January 19, the certain news of which was probably just reaching him; the second was a telegram from Washington, informing him that General Beauregard, with fifteen regiments from the Confederate army in Virginia, was being sent to Kentucky to be added to Johnston's "I was not ready to move," explains Halleck afterwards, "but deemed best to anpp. 587, 593. ticipate the arrival of Beauregard's forces." It is well also to remember in this connection that, three days before, President Lincoln's General War Order No. 1 had been published, ordering a general movement of all the armies of the Union on the coming 22d of February. Whatever induced it, the permission now given was full and hearty. "Make your preparations to take and hold Fort Henry," Hal1862. W. R. leck telegraphed to Grant on the 30th of January; "I will send you written instructions by mail.” W. R. Vol. VII., Halleck to Vol. VII., p. 121. army. Grant and Foote had probably already begun their preparation. Receiving Halleck's instructions on February 1, Grant on the following day started his expedition of fifteen thousand men on transports, and Foote, on the 4th, accompanied him 1862. nand, McCler Report, 1862. W. R. pp. 126-130. Feb. 10, Vol. VII., with seven gunboats for convoy and attack. Their CHAP. VIL plan contemplated a bombardment by the fleet from the river, and assault on the land side by the troops. For this purpose General McClernand, with a division, was landed four miles below the fort on February 4. They made a reconnaissance on the 5th, and, being joined by another division under General Smith, were ordered forward to invest the fort on the 6th. This required a circuitous march of eight miles, during which the gunboats of Flag-officer Foote, having less than half the distance to go by the river, moved on and began the bombardment. The capture proved easier than was anticipated. General Lloyd Tilghman, the Confederate commander of the fort, had, early that morning, sent away his three thousand infantry to Fort Donelson, being convinced that he was beset by an overpowering force. He kept only one company of artillerists to work the eleven river guns of the fort; with these he defended the work about two hours, but without avail. Foote's four iron-plated gunboats steamed up boldly within six hundred yards. The bombardment, though short, was well sustained on both sides, and not without its fluctuating chances. Two of the heaviest guns in the fort were soon silenced, one bursting, and the other being rendered useless by an accident with the priming wire. At this point, a rebel shot passed through the casemate and boiler of the gunboat Essex, and she drifted helplessly out of the fight. But the remaining gunboats continued their close and fierce attack, and five more of the rebel guns being speedily disabled, General Tilghman hauled down his flag and went on board to surrender the fort. Mc |