HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, February 7, 1862.

Brigadier-General SHERMAN,

Benton Barracks:

Fort Henryis ours. Prepare the Curtis Horse to go down immediately. Our cavalry is in pursuit of the enemy and have compelled him to abandon a part of his artillery.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

[7.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, February 7, 1862.

Brigadier-General CULLUM,

Cairo:

What is the condition of the gun-boats? Some of them should proceed up the Tennessee and cut the railroad bridges. Give all necessary orders in my name for accomplishing this object.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

[7.]

CAIRO, ILL., February 7, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK,

Saint Louis, Mo.:

Fort Henry, defended by seventeen heavy guns, taken yesterday by gun-boats after a severe and rapid fire of an hour and a quarter. General Lloyd Tilghman, staff, and sixty men surrendered unconditionally to Flag-Office Foote. Fort in possession of army. Casualties 44, of which 2 killed and 9 wounded by shot. Most of casualties caused by scalding, a shot having penetrated the Essex's boiler; 5 killed or since died, 23 wounded; Captain Porter badly scalded in face and hands; 2 missing and 2 drowned. Gun-boats Cincinnati, Essex, and Saint Louis, with Flag-Officer Foote, have returned here. General Smith took possession of redan on left bank of Tennessee. General Grant's force 15,000. He was to attack Fort Donelson to-day. Have ordered forward regiment[s] arrived this morning from Saint Louis by Empress-Forty-ninth Illinois and Twenty-fifth Indiana. Three gun-boats ordered up the Tennessee to railroad crossing, with orders to break road on both sides of bridge, then to proceed up the river to capture rebel gun-boats. Am making the best dispositions here possible. Will write more fully.

GEO. W. CULLUM,

Brigadier General of Vols., U. S. Army, chief of Staff and Engineer.

[7.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
February 7, 1862.

Brigadier-General BUELL,

Louisville, Ky.:

The Governors of Ohio and Indiana are ordered to send all their light batteries to you at once. Please let the general know if you require more.

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[7.]