The following is the official report of Gen. Cullum:
COLUMBUS, Ky., March 4.
To Maj. Gen. Halleck, Commanding Western Department – Columbus, the Gibraltar of the West, is ours, and Kentucky is free. At 4 o’clock this morning the flotilla under Com. Foot, consisting of 6 gunboats, 4 mortar boats and transports, conveyed the 37th Illinois regiment, a battalion of the 54th, the 74th Ohio and the 55th Ill. under command of Gen. Sherman, proceeded to this place. On arriving here it was difficult to say whether the fortifications were occupied by our own cavalry, or scouts from Paducah, or by the enemy.
Every preparation was made for opening fire and landing infantry, when Gen. Sherman and Capt. Phelps, with 30 soldiers mad a reconnaissance with a tug, steering directly under the water batteries. Satisfied that our troops had possession, they landed, ascended to the summit, and together planted the stars and stripes, amid the cheers of our brave tars and soldiers. Though rising from a sick bed to go upon the expedition, I could not resist landing to examine the works, which are of immense strength, consisting of tiers upon tiers of batteries upon the river front, and a strong parapet and ditch.
On the land side the fortifications appear to have been erected hastily. A considerable quantity of ordnance and ordnance stores, a number of anchors, the remains of the chain once stretched over the river here, and a large supply of torpedoes are in our hands.
The desolation of hasty evacuation was visible everywhere. Huts, tents and barracks presented nothing but their blackened remains, though the town was spared. A garrison was left in the works consisting of nearly 2,000 infantry and 400 cavalry.
(Signed,) G. W. CULLUM, Brig. Gen.
Gen. Halleck has telegraphed the following to Maj. Gen. McClellan:
Our cavalry from Paducah, marched into Columbus yesterday, at 6 p.m., driving before them the enemy’s rear guard.
The flag of the Union is flying over the boasted Gibraltar of the West. Finding himself completely surrounded on both sides of the Mississippi, the enemy was obliged to evacuate or surrender. Large quantities of artillery and stores were captured.
Signed, H. W. HALLECK, Maj. Gen.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1
1 comment:
The date of this report must be in error. As Cullum's report of March 4th could not have possibly been forwarded on Feb. 28th.
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