Jan. 28, 1862

Jan. 28, 2012: Flag Office Andrew H. Foote, commander of the US Navy flotilla on the Tennessee River, writes to Gen. Halleck, who is over the entire Dept. of the West, and recommends attacking Ft. Henry:

CAIRO, January 28, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK.
St. Louis, Mo.

Commanding General Grant and myself are of the opinion that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, can be carried with four ironclad gunboats and troops, and be permanently occupied. Have we your authority to move for that purpose when ready?

A. H. FOOTE,
Flag- Officer.

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant follows up with his own telegram:

CAIRO, January 28, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Saint Louis Mo.:

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

U.S. GRANT,
Brigadier General.