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[19]

Upon reaching Cairo he telegraphed Halleck:

With permission I will take Fort Henry on the Tennessee, and establish and hold a large camp there.

U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General.

On the same day Commodore Foote, then in command of the gun-boats in that section, and in full accord with General Grant, also telegraphed Halleck as follows:

Commanding General Grant and myself are of opinion that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, can be carried with four iron-clad gun-boats and troops to permanently occupy. Have we your authority to move for that purpose when ready?

A. H. Foote, Flag Officer

On the 29th General Grant wrote Halleck as follows:

headquarters district of Cairo, Cairo, January 29, 1862.
Major-General H. W. Halleck, St. Louis Mo.
In view of the large force now concentrating in this district, and the present feasibility of the plan, I would respectfully suggest the propriety of subduing Fort Henry, near the Kentucky and Tennessee line, and holding the position. If this is not done soon, there is but little doubt but that the defenses on both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers will be materially strengthened. From Fort Henry it will be easy to operate, either on the Cumberland, only twelve miles distant, Memphis, or Columbus. It will, besides, have a moral effect upon our troops to advance them toward the rebel States. The advantages of this move are as perceptible to the General commanding as to myself, therefore, further statements are unnecessary.

U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General.

To these dispatches of Grant and Commodore Foote, Halleck replied:

headquarters Department of the Missouri, St. Louis, January 29, 1862.
Brigadier-General Grant, Cairo.
Make your preparations to take and hold Fort Henry. I will send you written instructions by mail.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General

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