Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[69] seven of the number were dismantled, or otherwise rendered useless.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to report that the casualties on board this vessel, during the bombardment of Fort Henry, from the effects of the enemy's fire, were: Killed, one; wounded, nine; total, ten.

Respectfully,

sir: As Capt. Porter is unable to write, he has advised me to send you a list of killed, wounded and missing on this vessel:

W. D. Porter, commander, scalded.

J. H. Lewis, paymaster, scalded.

T. P. Perry, third master, scalded badly.

S. B. Brittan, master's mate, killed by cannon-shot.

James McBride, pilot, killed by scalding.

William H. Ford, pilot, killed by scalding.

John Matthews, quartermaster, badly scalded.

A. D. Waterman, captain of forecastle, missing.

Henry Gemper, fireman, missing.

Samuel Bayer, fireman, scalded badly.

John Santz, fireman, missing.

James Coffey, seaman, killed by scalding.

N. McCarty, seaman, scalded.

H. Hagan, seaman, scalded.

Dana Wilson, seaman, killed by scalding.

Ben. Harrington, seaman, scalded badly.

Wm. O'Brien, seaman, scalded badly.

Thos. Mullen, seaman, scalded slightly.

W. H. Maxey, seaman, scalded badly.

T. Sullivan, seaman, scalded badly.

Jas. Bedard, seaman, missing.

J. P. Beers, seaman, killed by scalding.

John O. Hara, seaman, scalded.

John Castello, seaman, scalded.

J. J. Phillips, seaman, scalded.

B. Lonla, seaman, scalded.

H. Reynolds, seaman, missing.

James Argus, seaman, scalded.

Thomas Mullett, seaman, badly scalded.

In addition to the above, we had nineteen soldiers injured, of which several have since died.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The officers and crew of that portion of the gunboat flotilla, which was engaged in the capture of Fort Henry, on the sixth instant, already have had their brilliant services and gallant conduct favorably noticed by the Commanding General of the Western army, and by the Secretary of the Navy, conveying the assurance that the President of the United States, the Congress, and the country, appreciate their gallant deeds, and proffer to them the profound thanks of the Navy Department for the services rendered.

In conveying these pleasing tidings that our services are acknowledged by the highest authorities of the Government, you will permit me to add that in observing the good order, coolness, courage, and efficiency of officers and men in the memorable action between the gunboats and the fort, that I shall ever cherish, with the liveliest interest, all the officers and men who participated in the battle, and, in the future shall, with increased hope and the greatest confidence, depend upon all officers and men attached to the flotilla, in the performance of every duty, whether in the fight or the laborious work of its preparation.

Three times three cheers, and another, and yet another, and one cheer more! The soldiers of the Union have won another victory, and an important rebel stronghold has fallen into our hands. Fort Henry, one of the most extensive and important fortifications in the confederacy, and, in fact, the key to the whole chain of fortifications which the rebels had stretched across the country from the Potomac to the Mississippi, is now ours, and the Star-Spangled Banner now floats where for many months the rebel “stars and bars” have flaunted in traitorous defiance.

For more than three weeks, very quiet but unmistakable preparations for a movement of some kind had been visible at Cairo, and other points within Gen. Grant's military jurisdiction, and although no flaming telegrams this time announced the fact in advance to a startled public, it was evident to a close observer that some event of more than ordinary gravity was in contemplation. So very secretly were the preparations conducted, that no intimation of the destination, size, or probable time of the expedition could be obtained from those supposed to be in the secret, and we could only watch and wait.

From certain indications, I had for several days concluded that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, near the boundary line dividing the States of Kentucky and Tennessee, was the point aimed at; indeed, I believe I intimated as much in some of my previous letters, and I was not surprised to learn, on Saturday, the first of February, that some ten regiments of infantry, together with artillery and cavalry, then at Cairo, had received orders to be in readiness to embark next day, with three days rations in their haversacks. But the embarkation of such a force, with horses, wagons, baggage and equipments, is no slight labor, and it was not until afternoon of Monday that the last of the transports left Cairo, and steamed up the Ohio in the direction of Paducah. Arriving at this point during the same evening, the boats halted for a short time, while some changes