The New York herald., 1862-04-09
NJ ! S S o U R |

Island No. 10 somewhat FREQ from rebel obstructons,
the attention Of the gunboat neet devoted to the
latter spot New Madrid having fallen into the posses
sion Of tho Union troops became necessary to open the
river communication to that point Island No 10, how
stood in the way Therefore, at clock on the
morning Of the 14th Of March, naval expedition under
Flag Onicer Foote, left Cairo. and at Columbus
oinod by other gunbcats They also overtaken by
eight mortar boats in tow Of four steamers with trans
ports and ordnance boats, and all arrived at Hickman,
KY, by fpast four O'Clock the same afternoon.
Tho mounted pickots of the enemy we're in sight on
the bluff tho arrival Of the vessels two companies
OF soldiers under Colonel Buord sent after them
but they escaped.
The town was next taken possession Of by the small
foroo OF the troops which sote direct conjunction
with tho gunboais.
The feet consisted Of the follow ing vessels
Flagship Benton, Lieutenant Phelps acting flag captain.
Gunboat Cincinnati, Commander r. N. stembs
Gunboat Carondeet, Commander Walke.
Gunboat Mound City Commander Kelly.
Gurfboat Louisville, Commander Dove.
Gunboat Pittsburg, Lieutenant Thompson.
Gunboat st. Louis, Lieutenant Pauldng.
Gunboat Conesoga, Lieutenant Blodgett-he only boat
in tho feet not iron clad
Each mortar boat carried mortar weighing seventeen
thousand hundred and eighty -four posnds dischars
ing round shell weighing two hundred and fifteen
pounds without its contents-he mortar being charged
to carry from three milcs The following are the
officers of the mortar fleet
Captain IT, f. Maynadicr, commanding Ge~ts
Captain y. r. Pike assistant do.
Second Masters-AIsssrs Gassford, Gregory, simonde
and Johnston.
Having anchored during the night at Hickman nv
o'clock tho next morning, March 15 the osa got under
weigh, and dropped down slowly, until nine o'clock
tho rounded TO about three miles above island
The then ordered throe Of the orar boats
ato position, and eight mortars -sheed the battery
above the island The enemy left Il several times but
returned After the mortar boats ceased drng-tney
having succeeded in upmaskng formidable rebel bat.
terry six heavy guns about mile slOse the head ot
tho island--tbey went back up tho ri, about mile
aud laid by for the night which passed 20 quietly
the morning dawncd auspciousy.
Al daylight 'he Flag Oncor gave orders the mortar
boats TO their positions Of Che previous day The
gnnboats took places IN the stream, fifteen
minutes 70 nine O'Clock Commodore Fooe his com.
plments with his sorp larbosTd Eun, aud the enemy
replied with couple Of shots Captain Mayuadsr had
boen busy since daylight getting his morars nto posi-.
,on, and at gay, the upper six gun battery taste
Of his metal
TUE ARbY AGAIN
Thus Tho acton continued dusne that day and
tho next without important results On tue 18th
tho rebel gunboats cauuonadod General popes
batteries for hour and half but driven back
with severe loss One OF tho rebel guuboats ontcod
near tho shore and sunk by batteries and sovcra
others wero badly damaged General Popo's batterev
commanded tho river and boo<aded tho passage and tho
rebel boats completely hemmed in, and could only
hayo barely escaped BY fighting their way out.
thus matters progressed without any very definite
result until tho 31st OF March, when Acting General B
guford with portion Of tho forco at Hickman advanced
mon tho rebols occupying Union CITY scattered them
aud destroyed .ner camp.
THE SERVICE UNITED.
On tho night OF the LIST Of April boat expedition was
fitted out from tho squadron and tho land forces and,
under tho command Of Colonel Roberts OF Illinois, sue.
cseded in reaching and spkng u, guns OF tho upper fort
On the morning Of tho tth ef April heavy Ore from
tho surboas was concentrated the rebo boating bat
ery and after a-smart engagement, sho cut loose
from her moor ngs and drIftod down the river.
rHs pkyous-THs rRo0rs CROSS THE RIVER.
During tho interval forced water communication
constructed bctw on the Mississippi river above the
island and New Madrid below u. The Chepousi Bayou
was connected with ho river above by Of OPEN
ing cut by our tro g. and boats for transportation pur
poses were cont to ow Madd whore by the same
t were again rcltUlchcd into tho Mississippi Those
ysssos uudor protection Of tbo gunboats that had run
tho bloehsde succeeded in fryne across tho column