Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18
I0ur Army Correspoadenoe.l
FROM ISLAND NO. 10.
CS Board STEAMER MEMPHIS, }
Near Island No. 10, Mississippi River,
april "a, 1852. )

= FIlA 49, AIs-s
lhess,,. Editors off5s Free Pres.
1t may be interesting to you as alec to the
readers Of your v-laable paper and friends Of the
Union Army in general to give an account Of a
daring exploit. very satisfactory and successfully
carried out By Col. Roberts Of the 42i Illinois
volunteers, with Co. A Of his regiment.
Alter having been here for over two weeks in
masterly inactivity with the whole Of our country
looking anxiously for something important TO be
accomplished at this point, tn Colonel, with SIX
chosen men, took small boat on Monday last
crossed over to the Kentucky shore and proceeded
down the river bank to within a few hundreds
yards Of Fort Polk, which FoIt had kept our gun
boats from going below to uy their strength anu
courage on Island No. 10. lie ascsrtlined that
there were six large guns in the bateryjus at the
waters edge their position, and also the lay OF
the land-what little land there Is at the present
high stage of the river, which is some fifty feet
above low water Irasl. The rebel guns were
planted on an earthwCrk thrown up for the puT-
rose, and a li;tle way back Of this battery were
the rebel tents; their force is not known, but
they are strung along down that shore for three
miles or more. The idea suggested itself to the
Colonel that those guns ught % be spiked, and
he resolved to make the attempt some night
The rarty then turned to the Memphis, aud the
Colonel, after having maturci his plans, on Tues
day called for Company 4, which were cut on
parade, to 20 with him. In ten minutes fifty Of
a.. PIX y small
aud bound towards the Gag ship Benton, where
they we're supplied with i've small boa-s and oars
men, and after all was quiet and dark, they rowed
away down the shore toward and Immediately lu
der the mouths Of those heavy guns, a. landed
within twenty yards Of them. The rebel senti-
nels discovered their approlch when within ;wen-
ty or thirty feet Of them, and fired three saots,
which STRUCK Just ahead OF our boats in the wateT.
The en;inels then ran Ike good fellows, crying
out for the sergeant and corporal Of the guard
and on giving the alarm, their long rou was
sounded, but before tboy had time TO get out and
ready for attack, our men had jdmpej ashore, t.
A. Atwa.er-formerly Of Burlinston-takins the
lead. He having charge Of tie men in the Ocl-
oneIs beat, rushed up the ombankmcnt 20 the
guns and spiked three Of the six, the Col. spiking
one Of the largest ami finest guns, an si-pouuder
riaed cannon, and two Of the men spiked the
other two, when the party were again ordered 70
take to their boats. They brought away with them
a gun-svab, two gunners leather cartridge boxes,
cap box and belt, one fine gun sight and a few
other small things as trophies, and were soon oat
Of sight and reach Of tie rebels, without having
lost a man. Cur men were all aboard the steamer
going up stream, when there came up all Of sud
aeu,a terrific storm Of Wind and rain which threat
enel to swamp tie boat, and one Of the boat
men was lost overheard.
Our men went away without taking their over
coats, or even their surpers, and did not get back
until about daylight, wet, coll and hungry, but
feeling fret ra,e; and we'll tacy might, for they
had done an important work. With only fifty meu,
AMI in SO short a time ,hey accomplished what the
fleet Of gun-boats ari m9r,sr-bolts had been At /
tempting 20 DO Tor two weeks, hut ell in vain, |
VIZ. to silence that one upper battery; it is look
ed upon here SIS one Of the brares- and most brill
liant affairs Of tha war.
You haye,doubtiess ere tais heard Of the running |
up at Union City, l. miles back Of Hickman, OF a |
rebel force OF Cavalry $500 strong, on the aP- /
pearancc Of Col. Bu;Yrls force, whi;h went up /
from here last Monday. The rebels drew up in |
line of battle; one round from our guns was |
enough to start them or the -ielaiile-a new mode |
Of drill, peculiar to the rebI army. They left |
behind 10 mules lot Of wagons arms, &c, which |
our forces brought here for aio-keepiug. together
with prisoners.
The river is now falling quite fast 50 that our
troops can fad noTe dry land % get about on and /
do picket duty. Our men arc in very good heal tn !
and spirits, anxious for little fun, as they seem
to think an engagement would be; perhaps they
will think differently after they have been in
hard contested battle
T. \. Atwater has sisfe been promoted to a
Iieutenantcy on account Of his bravery, exhibited
on last Tuesday night, in spiking guns, &c,
which seems to be a very satisfactory promotion to
the whole Regiment AMI was the expressed wish Of
his Company. Yours, u.