The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-04
REBILs JOINING THE FEDERAL. ARMY.
FROM ISLAND NO. 10.

Carleton" the able correspondent of the
Boston JON nal writes to that paper from
near Island No. 10. We extract from ms
letters, as follows
The thunder of the cannonade is hushed
to-day. Only at intervals the deep booming
of the mortars breaks the almost Sabbath
stiffness OF the hour. Undoubtedly there is
exultation in the tents and behind those
earthworks, which CLEAN in the morning sun
beyond the river. They who occupy them
think. perhaps, that we are baified, disabled,
dispirited, and, if We could see the neWspa-
pers of the Coniederacy, We undoubtedly
should see that We have been defeated
Whichever view they may take is all the
same to that resolu;e man standing on the
deck of the Benton, creeping round with his
crutches. He is not the man to rellnqulsh
an undertaking without looking at all sides
of it. He has brave hearts committed to
his keeping. He could dash straight on, run
the risk, and take the chances of victory-a
victory with the chances preponderatins in
favor of great loss of life and disabling of
his fleet. He remembers that beyond No.
10 is Randolph, beyond Memphis New Or
leans. What if he should take No. 10 by a
sudden hand to hand, muzzle TO muzzle
fight? Itwould require months to repair
damages. and possibly brave men would
Yield their lives, creating losses nreparable.
1t becomes him to be cautious and prudent.
He has felt of rebels pretty etiectualiy, and
his feet IS unframed. he will wait day OF
two longer before renewing the fight, per-
haps several DAYS. If vol who live far down
toward sunrise get impatient, remember
that the enterprise is in the hands Of man
who is competen: to the undertaking.
When the land and naval forces are brought
into close connection, then there will be re-
verbsration along these shores unlike any
thing ever heard upon the continent.
We hear great deal about strategy dur
ing the war, but have waited for exhibitions !:
We have one a. least, worthy of MENTION
Night before last. General Pope had an
earthwork thrown up on the river below New
Madrid, and 2I-pounder masked within
Surprising that the rebels would shell II with
their gunboats, he eontrived a trap. He Sc
GREETED a number of sharpshoo,ers near the
river, vino awaited the approach of the gun
boat, which was an ordinary steamer, with
two guns on her deck forward. The boat
came up cautiously, opened FIRE. but receiv-
ing no reply came nearer, when suddenly the
sharpshpoters sprang to their feet and pick
ed off nearly all the gunners. The boat
started away, but received shot which sent
her TO the bottom.
Climbing plethoric corn crib which
stands near deserted hut, quarter of a
, mile distant from where am quartered. j
have fair view of all the enemys batteries.
They have upon the mainland and > upon
the island
1t is laughable to read the editorial des
criptions of the situation at number 10
The geographical knowledge of many of tht
papers is equal 10 that manifested by ths
London Saturday Reriew. which stated thai
Burnside had sailed for Western Virginia -
n New York contemporary of the 18th saws
Gen Popes guns at New Madrid, 6 mile:
below, command the river. That retreat il
out of the question. They have no alterna
> tive but TO maintain then position or surren
der their whole force prisoners of war;
1t is true. Gen Pope's guns command tn,
river, and that the transports will find it diff
cult TO escape, bu: there is nothing to pre-
vent the retreat of the rebels by land, alon,
A the Dyersburg road.