There is every appearance that the campaign in Kentucky has opened in full earnest, and the result cannot be long in doubt. The first demonstration is to be made it appears on Ft. Henry, a point important only as a strong out post, but whose reduction is necessary before proceeding to the attack of the enemy strongholds of Bowling Green and Columbus.
Every hour is now big with the fate of the Nation, and every mind is turned towards Kentucky as there might the pending contest be decided.
The following description of Ft. Henry, the point of the attack, will be interesting.
DESCRIPTION OF FORT HENRY.
The only fortification on the Tennessee river, of much importance is Fort Henry, situated near the line of Kentucky and Tennessee, on the east bank of the stream. It stands in the river bottom, about the high water mark, just below a bend in the river, and at the head of a strait stretch of about two miles. It therefore commands the river for that distance down stream, and very little higher than the fort, a portion of it is covered with heavy timber. On the opposite side of the river are three hills commanding the fort completely. The armament of the fort consists of eight 32-pounders, four 12-pounders, and two 6-pounders. The 32 and 12-pounders are heavy guns, and the 6-pounders are light pieces. My informant left Fort Henry on Thursday, the 12th inst., at which time a large lot of entrenching tools had just been brought tither [sic] to be used in fortifying the hills on the opposite side of the river.
On these new fortifications it was intended to mount three very large guns, 124-pounders, and some rifle cannon. An Irish regiment at the fort were relied upon to perform much of the work in prospect, but in addition to this force some four hundred slaves were daily expected from North Alabama. The Garrison of the fort under Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, consist of Col. Adolphus [Heiman’s] Irish regiment and a regiment of Mississippians, besides the artillerists.
– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 2
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