February 19, 1862: Foote Captures Another Fort and a City

FEBRUARY 19TH, 1862:  Confederates evacuated Clarksville, Tennessee.  Colonel W.H. Allen, CSA, reported to General Floyd:  "Gunboats are coming; they are just below point; can see steamer here.  Will try and see how many troops they have before I leave.

Lieutenant Brady set bridge on fire, but it is burning very slowly and will probably go out before it falls."

Asking in a postscript that any orders for him to be sent "promptly,"  Allen noted that "I will have to go in a hurry when I go."

Union forces under Flag officer Foote occupied Fort defiance and took possession of the town. Foote urged an immediate move on Nashville and notified Army headquarters in Cairo:  "The Cumberland is in a good stage of water and General Grant and I believe we can take Nashville."

--Old B-Runner

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February 17, 1862: CSS Virginia Commissioned, Foote Moves On Clarksville

FEBRUARY 17TH, 1862:  The ironclad CSS Virginia (ex USS Merrimack) commissioned.  Captain Franklin Buchanan commanding.

**  Flag Officer Foote informed Secretary of Navy Welles:  "I leave immediately with the view of proceeding to Clarksville with eight mortar boats and two ironclad boats, with the Conestoga, wooden boat, as the river is rapidly falling.

"The other ironclad boats are badly cut up and require extensive repairs.  I have sent one of the boats already since my return and ordered a second to follow me, which, with eight mortars, hope to carry Clarksville."

--Old B-R'er