January 28, 1862: Foote and Grant want to seize Fort Henry

After reading the reports from the men who had led the feint down the Tennessee River, Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote and Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant concluded that Fort Henry was ripe for the picking.

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.

And Grant himself followed up with:

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.