Friday, February 3, 2017

February 2, 1862: Foote to Sailors-- Part 2: Every Man Does His Duty

"The Commander in Chief has every confidence in the spirit and valor of officers and men under his command, and his only solicitude arises lest the firing should be too rapid for precision, and that coolness and order, so essential to complete success, should not be observed, and hence he has in this general order expressed his views, which must be observed by all under his command."

He directed Lt. S.L. Phelps, upon the surrender of Fort Henry, to proceed with "Conestoga, Tyler, and Lexington up the river to where the railroad bridge crosses, and, if the army shall not already have got possession, he will destroy so much of the track as will entirely prevent its use by the rebels.

"He will then proceed as far up the river as the stage of water will admit and capture the enemy's gunboats and other vessels which might prove available to the enemy."

--Old B-R'er

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