The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-03-25

The Capture 81 New MaAPiA.
Late as it it, We give our readers the
following interesting particulars Of the
taking Of New Madrid by our troops, as
described ia letter from one who had
hand in IT.:
On Thursday, March 18th. about P.
NJ, Colonel Morgan received orders for
the 10th and 10th regiments Of Illinois
volunteers to prepare to march immedi
ately. We did so. and left about dark.
When we reached Gen. Popes head-quar-
tiers, two wagons heavily laden with spades
and shovels, fell in with US. We were
commanded not to speak word above a
whisper. We went about three miles,
and silently commenced digging entrench
ments and breast-works. As soon as we
got to our destination we threw out pick
cts in every direction, with instructions
to lie low and let the enemy fire as much
as they pleased, but on no account to re-
turn the ere, except in the last extremity.
The rebel pickets began firing immedi-
ately. We kept perfectly still, not re-
turning the FIRE. The enemy evidently
did not know what to make of it, and an
ally, concluded that it was some Of our
pictets making rather strong reconnois-
sance. We worked hard all night long.
and we're not molested. except our pickets.
A captain Of the 10th Illinois regiment
was killed while on picket that night
We threw up very extensive entrench-
ments. and parapets for two batteries of
large size guns. Three large guns and
one mortar had arrived that day, over
land from Cairo. By morning we had half
mile Of entertainments, and the four
guns | mentioned mounted in position
The boys worked nobly all the night At
daylight the pickets began firing all
around US. and the ball opened by one OF
our big guns sending . shot plumb into
their fort. This must have surprised the
enemy very much, as they neither knew
of our having any big guns at this place,
or of our having any such intrenchments
| must tell you whore our batteries are To-
Gated. We had moved round TO the south
of the town, and had approached to with
in half a mile of the town, and of Their
main fort, which was situated just below
the town. ON the river. Well, our bi,
gun walked them up, ! tell you, and the,
very soon replied from their fort Befor
long the engagement became general, ant
continued all day long
Early in the morning they dismounte,
one of our guns, killing three and wound
ing FIVE Of our gunners. They fred owe
one thousand shot and shell at US, killin
and swounding fourteen only. We all la
pretty low in the bitches, as there wa
nothing for US to do out of them. Their
were many narrow escapes. One she
burst over my head, covering me with
sort of black SCOT. Another struck II
earth just to the right Of me, when ! Vi
in the trenches, aud covered me vii
Sarth. $Col. s. was in trench, b
sword and overcoal lying near him on Il
embankment: shell struch the emban
ment just over the Colonel's head, n
burst as it struck. carrying off his coat al
sword. He did not find them for sor
At night the firing ceased, both part
being willing to hold on until mornin
We threw out very strong pickets, and
lay down in our trenches, expecting if n
attacked. to sleep until morning. B
: about eleven O'Clock it began to rain har
and continued SO all night of cour
there was no more sleep, so We stood !
and took it. Just before daylight, bel
completely worn out, We were relieved
two other regiments, and marched ba
to camp. Before We reached it we hca
the grand army cheering on every han
We learned that in the night the ener
had evacuated. They left trunks, LAM
flags, clothing, cannon, ammunition, pl
wisconsin short, everything but 9Th
precious selves"
@ Fayel,' the excellent army G,
respondent Of Missouri Democrat, in
la.ing the progress Of the FIRST day Of I
great battle in the Ozark Mountains, ri,
the following: