Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-07
Island Ten.

correspondent writing under date Of the I'd
inst. from Island Ten says:
Our chronic dullness was relieved yesterday by
a hope that something is about to happen. The
hope is based on preparations, visible and sup
posed, and upon actual occurrences We believe
that we are on the eve OF fight, but We have be-
lieved the same thing so many times, without any
definite result, that we have come TO lose faith in
the future.
| A bold exploit was achieved by our troops on
Tuesday night. A party of soldiers from Col.
Buford's command, about fifty in number. went
town Sthe river in yawl boats, and entered the
upper battery in the rebel Notifications, spiking
the guns and escaping without any loss. There
were four 64-pounders and two 1913 FOUNDERS the
latter being the guns that have thrown all the
shot that have reached us. The battery was
guarded by a small detachment of rebel soldiers.
who fired on the boats and fled without any fur
ther resistance The guns were spiked with
round files. and were probably rendered useless,
as the operation of removing the spiking is very
difficult and not be performed at all with
out the proper tools.
| Thd fact that this battery, against which the
whole rength of our feet was directed, was so
little injured ms to be in readiness for action,
CUES that we have done them as little damage as
/ they have done u.s. We have had reports of our
achievements in dismountng and slencing this
battery and as il has been perfectly silent for a
week or two, have had some reason TO believe
them. 1t appears, however, that we did them
very little harm, and that our random lombard
ment of the last two weeks has been of so little
consequence that they made no reply at all.
Firing was quite brisk yesterday. The NOR
tars opened with frequency, and the rebels made
the most energetic reply that they have deigned to
! give during the siege Their balls fell thick and
! fast around the gunboats. but nobody was hurt.
| Ii would be a great relief if somebody would
condescend to become a sacrifice on the altar of
their country. This going to war for weeks at a
time, and burning powder night and day, without
ANYBODY being hit. is very dull business.
Sickness is increasing greatly and is destned to
become serious matter with our army. The
prevailing comolaint is diarrhea. brought on by
salt Diet malaria and drinking river water. Eve
rybody is coming down with il. The men suffer
greatly and are fast filling the hospitals. The
officers equally exposed. and of the corps of
newspaper correspondents here collected, not one
has escaped the contagion in more OF less severe
form. The weakening effect Of the malady can
not be imagined. 1t is yiruent in It's attacks and
makes quick work of the victi.,. few DAYS
continuance makes it chronic, and then typhoid
fever sets in. and If life is saved il is only by
months of Suffering and weakness. 1t is destined
to prove the scourge of the Northern army.
There are Ave thousand men from Gen. Grants
army in the Cairo and Mound City hospitals from
this malady alone.
Gen. Pope rs in motion, and we are in hopes to
hear something decisive from bin in short time.
Active preparations are being made in the feet,
which argues important matters in hand, and If
we can only receive the cooperation OF the land
forces, battle will Immediately occur Without
that, things must remain in stafa quo.