New Orleans daily crescent., 1862-03-18
= From fi,e Memphis Appea,, 10Th.

1Ne SIsshI at new l1aNrfu.
2H T'1~T@I t' ---.~---- = - . TE7- az
1902 from fie Memphis arpea,, 10Th. 90
:. by the arrival Of the Grand Duke, which reached
,he landing from above at 8 O'Clock yesterday
.ad .hd9rmng, we have the intelligence that New Mad
Tid was evacuated by tis small force which had
been there for some time
During the fight on Thursday which was, as
heretofore stated, conducted by the artillery of
Ire enemy ana that of the gnnboats, the former
made three ADVANCE movements as if to storm sha
position, but We're successfully repulsed by this
shells thrown among them. An occasional shot
was thrown during the day. until evening Our
loss was three killed and aiew wounded ) that of
the enemy unknown, but supposed to be severe,
as they were seen to carry quite a number to the
rear OF their position.
Early 'M, Thursday evening scout was sent in by
yen. thompson. with information that large res
iniorcement, under Gen, Sigel, was advancing.
ABOUT lD O'Clock another messenger came in aud
reported the faree under Sgel to be forty regi-
ments otinfantry and four of cavalry who exuected
I to arrive 30 as to storm the works by midnight.
They were, it was stated, within tive miles. =
Acting upon this information, it was determined
to retreat to Island 10 and Tiptonvlle, which was
done upon the. gnnboats. the whole comT aud com.
ing. on safely except q few r.ckets, who had not
come in when the boats left.
| la the movement, all tho mounted guns were
abandoned, having been sIjked. A portion of the
ammunition was also ,left most of the baggage,
and about one hundred riuies. ~s wa. J. 80 .
The gunboats Were a. Island 10 and TiptonviIle
when the Grand Duke left. Smiths l54th Tennes-
Tiptonville and the remainder at the Island
No information has been received at Tipton.5
vile that the enemy had taken possession of New
Madrid. N'N"
That the forces Of the enemy have been greatly.
exaggerated we do not doubt, yet the retreat was
1nd!cious one. The opposing force was too large
to be successfully resisted, and sacrifice of life
III what must have proved fruitless attempt to do
so. would have been inexcusable =
Thls movement gives no particular advantage to-
the enemy, as the position is no. one Of any strate
gical Importance in defending Island No. 10. This
great work is being pushed forward as RAPIDLY as
possible, and our Information is that it will, it is
believed, offer asuccessful obstruction to the pas
sage of the eneray's gunboats. In doing this New
Madrid could offer no assistance, being below on
the riyer. There is nothing to create despondeBcy
IN tFe minds Of the people, who should continue
hopeful aud reliant. The movement has been con-
tempated for some days, and has oaly been post
poned for contingency that was about accom-
plished, but of which it would be imprudent to;
speak: A day or two later, at most would have
brought about an evacuation, even had the enemy.
not made his appearance.
Il LATER--fFom gentleman of intelligence, who
participated in the conflict and evacuation of New
Madrid, we derive the following additional particu-
lars:
At consultation Of the general officers and
naval commanders on Thursday, the 18th inst, it
was determined to evacuate the two forts at New
Madrid, known as Fort Thompson and Fort Bank
head. The order was given about 1OA P. M. The
evacuation of the lower fort was intr1sted to Gen
Stewart and that of the upper (Fort Bankhsad) to
Gen. Walker.
the casualties on our side are small in number,
being four or five killed, and. as many wounded.
The gunboats received great many shots, the
Polk alone receiving four. The TRANSPORTS Louis
vile, Winchester and Mohawk all received more
or less injury; nome however, were disa bed.
At o'clock, ?. NJ, the enemy advanced light
battery within close range of Fort Bankhead, md
poured rapid fire into it. It was, however re-
pulsed very promptly by the guns of that fort,
AND, it is believed, with considerable loss, as the
oil Fa1i -.
treated very hastily and in great confusion
Among the killed on our side was DR.. Bell, the
medical director of the division, and well known
IN Memphis. He was standing in the cabin Of the
Mohawk, between Cen McCown and the captain
of the boat The shot passed between the Gene
rails legs, cutting off both legs of Dir. Bell above
the ankle, and going out between the feet of the
Captain. AmputatiUn being necessary, was, per
formed by Dr.. Gus. Thornton; but the shock was
too great, and DR.. Bell died at O'Clock on Friday
evening.
His loss is deeply lamented by the whole army,
by whom he was so much loved, and who held him
in the highest estimation. His body has been
brought to this city. f'~N
Of the necessity for the evacuation Of the forts
at New Madrid, there seems to be no diversity of
opinion. OF the manner in which it was done, and
the serious loss of stores attending it, we shall
doubtless have further full explanation. =
The command. of Acting Brig. .-Gen. CAN'T, from
Fort Thompson, passed down the river to Upton
vile; the command of Gen. Walker went up the
river opposite Island No. TO-
There was no sign of the enemy's gunboats from
the Island, although prisoners reported that they
were hoarly looked for Gen. Sigel has reinforced
the enemy at New Madrid, and they are now 10
great strength at that point.
They are constructing railroad from Sykes
town to New Madrid, Il distance of twenty miles,
and will soon be In direct communication, by rail,
with Birds Point, opposite Cairo. e. ..7t
i Their plan will doubtless be to attack Island 10
in tire rear, as well as in front, crossing in large
boats above TiptonviHe. This movement, how.
+ pyp "a n harl liy hn ms do in tnn n
2 The amount of transportation being very limited,
a large amount Of property was necessarily lost
and destroyed. All the large guns (about twenty
in both forts have fallen into the hands of the en-
5emy. They, however, were spiked and otherwise
rendered unfit for service before leaving. The linz
bers and cassiens OF Bankhead's battery were
thrown into the river by order of Gen. Walker.
The guns and horses of this battery were brought
off, and are now. at Island No. lg. -. 80.
! Nearly all the tents, together with much personal
baggage, We're lost. The tents were mostly left
standing. The evacuation was effected during The
very violent storm which occurred that night, and
was completed about 4 4. NJ. The .enemy's pick
cts were firing during most of the time, and added
in considerable degree to the confusion incident
to such an occasion. These points being in The
hands Of the enemy, the river may be said to be
effectuaily blockaded from above Tiptonville.
The distance, by river, from this point 10 Island
No. 10 is about twenty miles, but the land transit
is only five mles~-so communication with the last
named point is still open and clear. Whether the
enemy can erect batteries opposite Tiptonville re-
mains to be seen. at present their batteries are
short distance below Point Pleasant, Mo-, a few
miles above Tiptonville. On Thursday, at day
light the enemy opened from an advanced bat
terry, erected during the preceding night, and kept
up a continuous fire on both forts and the gun
boats during the day.
Louisiana Intelligence.
The parish of Ouachita pays every volunteer
who has family one hundred and fifty dollars a
year, in quarterly instalmepts. .zsq s,Yq .,ssg