PRE Ei ' ©. F. SMITH to Smith, November 8, 1861
Paducah, Ky., November 8, 1861.
The ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C. :
SIR: In my report of the 6th instant, in relation to the forces of the enemy, I accidentally overlooked in my notes the works on the Tennessee ahd Cumberland Rivers.
The more important is Fort Henry, 71 miles up the Tennessee, just at the State line. It is a strong earthwork, on the water front, but not nearly so strong on the land side. It has three 24 or 32 pounders, one or two 8-inch columbiads, and the remainder of field guns, in all from 14to 16; its garrison was two weeks since about 1,200. They have been under apprehension of attack from here for the past two weeks.
Some 8 miles above Fort Henry the enemy has been for many weeks endeavoring to convert river steamers into iron-plated gunboats. This fort is an obstacle to our gunboats proceeding to look after such work.
I sent an intelligent person to see what progress had been made on these gunboats, but he was captured. It is my only weak point (this river), made so by the use of gunboats.
The Conestoga gunboat, admirably commanded by Lieutenant Phelps, of the Navy, is my only security in this quarter. He is constantly moving his vessel up and down the Tennessee and Cumberland. From the latter river he came in this morning, having gone into the State of Ten- . nessee as far as Dover, where the enemy have a work called Fort Gavock,
or Fort MacGavock, or something else, usually called Fort Gavock [Fort Donelson]. He could not give me an idea of its armament. .
I mention these things because it is a favorite idea announced on the other side that Paducah is to be attacked from three quarters at once, one quarter being by one or both rivers.
I inelose General Grants telegram to me of his affair at Belmont yesterday. Nothing yet heard from my commands sent in the direction of Columbus.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
PRE Ei ‘ ©. F. SMITH,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
[Inclosure.]
CAIRO [November T].
General SMITH :
Attacked the rebels this morning at 9 o’elock ; drove them out of
Belmont and destroyed’ their encampment; loss heavy on both sides.
They had eleven regiments against our 3,000 men. If you have an