Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-03
Letter from n wheeling Boy at ISland
Number 10s


Letter from wheeling Boy at ISland
Number 10.
Army OF TuE MISSISSIPPI,
CANP MAR NEW MADRID, March 30.
Editors IntelIigencer:
Our Division is still encamped at this wis
lage. The roar Of Com. Foote'S mortara arc
ringing in our ears continually. The
newspaper accounts differ greatly as to the
effect our firing is having at No. 10. From
the time they commenced one would sup
pose they could have hammered one an-
other to atoms by this time. Some corr
respondents consider it as iutoleFably dull
work, others consider 1t just thethihg ex j
Rcuy. And still another class try to de.
tract from and Willy the actions Of the
army. This class arc as mean, low SGT
of sycophants as, ever sponged dinner at
naval officers table. Since We have taken
possession of New Madrid, We have had
some chance to look around and enquire
into the actions Of the rebels while holding
this point. They have respected neither
the rights offriend or foe. Buildings in the
town which interfered with their arrange
meuts for Smelling US, were either cut
away and allowed to fall or burned
Among the buildiugsburned was the Court
House and Jail, thereby destroying the en-
tire records of the county. The citizens
were not allowed to rescue a single book
or paper from the flames. A description
ofthis town is not necessary. Justimagine
town of seven or eight hundred inhabi-
tants situated in a slave State, aud you have
it to nicely. l noticed q fine orchard
| about one fourth of mile from the town
which, had reached fine bearing condi-
ton, leVeled to the earth by these rebel
cannibals, who, if not in body, do in sub.
| stance eat both friend and foe. The town
of New Madrid furnished but few soldiers
to the rebel army. The inhabitants were
driven of. r.,
But since we have taken possession they
come cautiously, slipping in one at a time,
| as though to ascertain whether they would
receive any better treatment from US. They
appeared greatly pleased and surprised
when informed that all that was necessary
was that they should conduct themselves
as good and patriotic citizens of the United
States, which they willingly did, appearing
willing to secure peace aud quiet again at
any price. But more than all, rejoiced to
receive it on such liberal terms from men
they bad been taught to believe would
murder, steal, rayish and destroy as they
marched. have but just now been in
formed that the rebels have erected bat
terry opposite the mouth of the creek, or
bayou, that comes in above town.
Commodore Foote intended, and partly
accomplished, the feat of sending steamers
for transports from above Island No. 10 to
this point, by the extensive sWamps or
bayous running inland, and connected by
the high stage of water, ON the Missouri
side of the river. And the boats had
reached within few miles of this point
when last night it was discovered that the
rebels had erected battery on the oppo-
site shore, commanding the mouth of the
bayou, where they were expected to come
OUT Now all this was brought about by
the sycophant correspondents connected
with the fleet. suppose tie Commodore
has found out by this time that such men
can sting as we'll as fatter. The plan was
to send these transports to Gen. Pope
This division could by that means have
been in one night thrown across the river
and by a march Of ten or twelve miles
reached the rear Of the enemy, thus COM
pletely surrounding them. But before
the boats had passed over half the dis
lance, having great difficulties to surmount,
the whole plan was published to the
world by these men who abuse one man to
benefit and build up another.
Several of these correspondents have
spoken very disparagingly of the West.
ern army, compared with the gunboat
Hcet, when everybody with one grain of
common sense knows, that if it had not
been for what has been accomplished BY
the Western army and the sea coast fleet,
this rebellion, instead of being ON the de-
cline, rs tits, would be ahead Of the gov
eminent, and in fair way, if not ALREADY
recognized by foreign powers, the Western
gunboats and Eastern army to the contrary
Notwithstanding. What have the gunboats
lever accomplished? At Fort Henry the
rebels ran without making a stand. At
Fort Donelson the gunboats were with
drawn without sileucing q battery or a
gun. sgn - aiH.4f ~, ~.
When we came close to the town the peo-
pie were all ardered to leave, or they would
be arrested and sent to Memphis. Several
EGermans living here have been greatly per-
secuted. They are Union men of the most
uncompromisipg kind.
It Is amusing to read letters from here
published in different newspapers. Each
regiment claims to have done all the fight
ing. The only correct account have seen
is Gen. Pops's Official to Gen: HallecEi The
First Infantry suffered the most,g having
two killed and -fonr wounded, three Of
whom have since died. Si 3yTB
| During the engagement Lieut.. Col.
Swayne of the 48d, was sitting on his
horse. one he valued highly, cody survey
ing things, when Col. Smith informed him
SuoS Guo Eeo6lo III tue 1of6fiWere tying to
get shot at him. Hecooly dismounted,
patted his favorite on the neck and walked
few steps from him, when q six-pound
rife shot struck the horse, completely dis
emboWeling him.
About ~ o'clock shot from one of the
rebel guns disabled one of ours, breaking
piece out of the muzzle, killing two men
and Wouuding four. They jumped up on
the ramparts and commenced cheering for.
getting their own guns, which gave our
gunuers q fair chance. Our 64.ponnder
was carefully loaded and sighted, and a
/ hall sent yvhiskltncy fbrousF, i bosot. haEnr.