February 4, 1862 (Sunday): Grant on the Verge of Greatness

USS-Essex-U. S. Naval Historical Center

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO,

Near Fort Henry, Tenn., February 4, 1862.

Major General H. W. HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo.:

    This morning the debarkation of one division, under General McClernand, took place 3 miles below Fort Henry, nearly in view of the rebel batteries.  Not having sufficient transportation for all the troops, the larger portion of the steamers have to return to Paducah for the remainder of the command, under General Smith.  I went up on the Essex this morning with Captain Porter, two other iron-clad boats accompanying, to ascertain the range of the rebel guns.  From a point about 1 mile above the place afterwards decided on for the place of debarkation several shells were thrown, some of them making effect inside the rebel fort.  This drew the enemy’s fire, all of which fell far short, except from one rifled gun, which threw a ball through the cabin of the Essex and several near it.

   I expect all the troops by 10 a.m. to-morrow.  Enemy are represented as having re-enforced rapidly the last few days.  General L. Tilghman commands Fort Henry.

U. S. GRANT

Brigadier-General

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 581.

Reading the matter of fact account of the shells striking the Essex draws attention to how different events could have turned out in the war with a shell hitting or missing a major player in the war.  Grant survived and went on to become a central player in the war.  At this point he was reasonably well regarded, and rapidly gaining acknowledgment for his abilities.  The Fort Henry expedition would mark him for bigger things.