FEBRUARY 7TH, 1862: Brigadier General John A. McClernand wrote Flag Officer Foote that he was giving the name Fort Foote to captured Fort Henry. he congratulated the Flag officer: "As an acknowledgement of the consummate skill with which you brought your gunboats into action yesterday, and of the address and bravery displayed by yourself and your command, I have taken the liberty of giving the late Fort Henry the new and more appropriate name of Fort Foote.
"Please pardon the liberty I have taken without first securing your concurrence, as I am hardly disposed to do, considering the liberty which you took in capturing the fort yesterday without my cooperation."
Two days after the fort's capture, Fort Henry was completely flooded and couldn't have been defended anyway.
Somewhat of a Back-Handed Compliment If You Ask Me. --Old B-Runner
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