The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-04-12
Report Of Com. Foo.e.

WASHINGTON, April 9.-The following was re-
ceived at the Navy Department, this morning:
"Flag Ship BENTON. Island, No. l0,l
April 8, 1862.
"To Hon. G. Wells Sec'y of Navy:
81 have to inform the Department that since
sent the telegram last night, announcing the
surrender to me, of Island No. 10, possession has
been taken both of the Island and the works
upon the Tennessee shore, by the Gunboats and
the troops under command of General Buford-
Seventeen officers and SeS privates, besides one
hundred Of their sick, and one hundred men en-
ployed on board the transports, are in our hands
unconditional prisoners Of war.
have caused hasty examination to be made
of the forts, batteries and munitions OF war cap
tured There are IL earth works, with 70 heavy
cannon, varying in calibre from 30 to loo. poun-
ders, ri6ed. Their magazines are we'll supplied
with powder, and there are large quantities of
shot and shell and other munitions of war and
also great quantities of provisions, four steamers
afoat, have fallen into our hands, and two 9TH
ers, with the rebel gunboat ''Grampus," are
sunk, but will be easily raised. The floating
battery Of l6 heavy guns, turned adrift by the
rebels, is said to be lying on the Missouri shore,
near New Madrid.
The enemy upon the main land appear to have
fled with great precipitation, after night Ieav-
ing in many instances, half prepared messes, in
their quarters, and there seems to have been no
concert Of action between the rebels upon the
Island and those occupying the shore, but the
the latter fed, leaving the former to their fate.
These works. erected with the highest engi-
neering skill are of great strength, and with
the natural advantages would have been impreg-
nable if defended by men fighting in better
cause.
A combined attack of the naval and land
forces would have taken place this p. M, or to-
ninu hal nat ohols H.,
abandoned their stronghold to mature the plans
of attack, which absolutely required % days of
preparation.
Gen. Pope is momentarily expected to arrive
with his army at this point, he having success
fully crossed the river yesterday under a heavy
fire, which no doubt led to the hasty abandon.
ment of the works.
/ am unofficially informed that the two gun
boats which so CALAMITY ran the fire of the re.
bel batteries a few nights since, yesterday at
tackled and reduced part of the works oppo-
site, dismountng eight heavy guns.
The following is copy Of order of Gen.
Mccall ON assuming command of the Rebel
forces on the llth inst.
Soldiers: We are strangers, Commander and
commanded, each to the other. Let me tell you
who am. am a General made by Beauregard.
A General selected by Beauregard and Bragg
for this command when they knew it was in
peril. They have known me for twenty years.
We have stood together on the fields of Mexico
Give me then, your confidence. Soldiers, the
Mississippi Valley is entrusted to your care. Ex-
hibt the vigilance and GOODNESS of last night and
hold it. [SignedI w. D. MCCALL,
Brig. Gen. Commanding.
regret that the painful condition of MY feet,
still requiring the use OF crutches, prevented me
from making personal examination of the
works. was therefore compelled to delegate
Lieutenant Commanding Phelps Of the Flag Ship
Benton. Signed. ia. H. FooTE,
Flag Officer Commanding.