Baltimore in 1861.
CHAPTER VI.
THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN IN TENNESSEE.
Feb., 1862.
At last the Rebel lines were broken. Commodore Foote had opened a gateway to the heart of the Confederacy by the capture of Fort Henry on the 6th of February. While up Green River I learned of the intended movement, and hastened to be present, but was delayed between Evansville and Paducah, and was not in season to see the engagement.
Late on the Friday evening after I saw Commodore Foote in Cairo. He had just returned from Fort Henry.
"Can you favor me with an account of the affair?" I asked.
"It will give me great pleasure to do so after I have prepared my despatches for Washington," he replied.
It was past midnight when he came to my room. He sat down, and leaned back wearily in his chair. But soon recovering his usual energy, gave the full details of the action. He had prepared his instructions to his crews several days before the battle, and upon mature thought, saw nothing to change.