Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-16
GEN. PoPE's OFFICIAL REPORT
Opera tions st New Madrid and Island No 10.
ExPEDITIoNARY FORCES,
NEW MADRID, Mo-, April 9, 1862,

AGjor- General II. w. HaUeck The canal
across the peninsular opposite Island No. 10
and for the idea of which am indebted TO
Gen. Schuyler Hsmllton-was completed by
Col BissePs Engineer Regiment, and ltour
steamers were brought through on the night
of the 9Th.
The heavy batteries had thrown up below
Tiptonvilse com. letely commanded the lowest
point of the high ground on the Tennessee
shore, entirely cutting off the enemy's retreat
by wator his retreat by land has never been
possible through the swamp.
On the night OF the 4th, Capt. " alike, Of the
Navy, ran the enemy's batteries at island No
10, with the gunboat Carondolet, and reported
to me here. On the night of the 9th, the gun
boat Pittsburg also run the block ade.
Our transports were brought into tho river
from the bayou, where they had been kept
concealed, at daylight on the 7th, and Paiue's
Givision loaded, The canal has been a pro-
digiousiy laborious work. 1t was twelve miles
long, six miles of which were through heavy
timber, which had to be sawed off By hand
four feet under water.
The enemy has lined the opposite shore
with batteries, extending from Island No. 10
te Tiptonville, Merriweather Landing, to pre-
vent the passage OF the river by this army.
Idirected Capt. Wake to run down with the
two gunhoats at daylight on the 7th to the
point selected Tor crossing, and silence the
batteries near it. He performed the service
gallantly, and here bear testimony to the
thorough and brilliant manner in which this
officer discharged his difficult duties with me-
and to the hearty and earnest zeal with which,
at all hazards, he co-opera:ed with me.
AS soon as he signaled me, the boats con-
tanning Paine's Division moved out from the
landing, and began to cross the river. The
passage of this wide, furious river by our large
force, was one of the most magnificent spec
taclcs ever witnessed. BY twelve O'Clock
that night, the 9TH, all our forces designed to
cross the river were over, without delay or
accident.
AS soon as we commenced to cross, the ene-
my began to evacuate Island No. 10, and his
batteries along tho shore. The divisions were
pushed forward to Tiptonvile as fast as they
landed, Paine's leading.
The enemy was driven before him, and al
though they made several attempts to form
in line of battle and make stand, Paine did
not once deploy his columns. The enemy
was pushed all night vigorously, until at
O'Clock A. NJ, be was driven back upon the
swamps and forced to surrender.
Three Generals, seven Colonels, seven regi-
ments, several battalions of infantry five COM
panies OF artillery, over one hundred heavy
siege guns, twenty-four pieces of field artii-
lery, an immense quantity of ammunition and
supplies, several Thousand stand of small arms
great number of tents, horses, wagons, etc.,
have fallen into our hands.
Before abandoning Island No. 10, the enemy
sunk the gunboat Grampus, and six of his
transports. These last am raising, and ex-
pect to have them ready for service in few
days. The famous floating battery was scut-
tied and turned adrift with all her guns aboard;
she was captured and run aground in shoal
water by our forces at New Madrid.
Our success is compIete and overwhelming.