FEBRUARY 6TH
Naval forces under Flag Officer Foote captured the strategic Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. originally, it was to be a joint attach, but heavy rains had delayed Gen. Grant's troops. All of Foote's efforts as to gunnery fire led to accurate fire from the fleet, forcing the Confederates to surrender with just four guns still serviceable The USS Essex was disabled during the attack.
Foote left the USS Carondelet on station at Fort Henry and returned to Cairo with damaged ships and began repairs and planning the attack on Fort Donelson.
In the next three days, Union ships swept up the Tennessee River, seizing the unfinished steamer Eastport (later became the USS Eastport) and destroying a railroad bridge over the river.
The fall of Fort Henry punched a gaping hole in Confederate defenses in the west.
This action proved the worth of Eads' ironclads and served as their baptism of fire. They would play a major role in most every engagement on the western waters.
I have also heard some call Fort Henry's capture as the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.
FEBRUARY 7TH
USS Conestoga forced Confederates on Tennessee River to abandon and burn steamers Samuel Orr, Appleton Belle and Lynn Boyd. The Orr was loaded with torpedoes and Belle with powder, cannon and shot. The concussion from their explosions badly shook and did damage to the Union ships.
Brig. General John A. McClernard, new commander of Fort Henry, wrote Foote that he was going to change the name of the place to Fort Foote in honor of his success.
A Major Blow to the Confederacy. --Old B-Runner
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