February 3, 1862: Foote On His Way to Fort Henry-- Part 1

FEBRUARY 3RD, 1862:  Having left his headquarters at Cairo, Illinois,  on 2 February en route to Fort Henry, Flag Officer Foote ordered the USS Essex and St. Louis to proceed from Paducah to Pine Bluff, 65 miles up the Tennessee River, "for the purpose of protecting the landing of the troops on their arrival at that point."

The Army commanders had recognized for some time that the mobility and firepower of the gunboats was vital in support of land forces operating along the rivers.

--Old B-Runner