In western Tennessee, Fort Henry falls to the naval bombardment of Flag Officer Foote's gunboats

The combined Union operation was well under way when Andrew Hull Foote's gunboats attacked Fort Henry on the Tennessee River in western Tennessee.  Confederate forces had abandoned nearby Fort Heiman and two Union divisions were advancing overland.  Poor drainage along the river banks hampered both Union land forces and the defenders at Henry and a sharp morning naval bombardment lasting around ninety minutes was enough to force a surrender.  Union infantry did not reach the area till after the fort's capitulation.  (By John Osborne)