Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-14
General Pope's Reporf--0perations at
New Madrid and Island No. 10.
ExPEDITIoSARY Forces,
NKw MADRID, Mo, April 8.

ExPEDITIoSARY Forces,
NKw MADRID, Mo-, April 8.
Major General III. w. HaILeck:
The canal across the peninsula opposite Island
No. l0-and for the idea of which | am indebted
to General Schuyler Hamilton-was completed
| by Colonel Bissell's Engineer regiment, and four
steamers we're brought through on the night OF
the 9th. The heavy batteries | had thrown up
below Tipconville completely commanded the
west point OF the high ground on the Tennessee
shore, entirely cutting off the enemys retreat by
water; his retreat by land has never been posi-
| BILE through the swamps. On the night Of the 4th
| Captain Wake, of the navy, the enemy's
batteries at Island No. 10, with the gunboat Ca
rond0let, and reported to me here. On the night
of the 9th the gunboat Pittsburgh also ran the
blockade. Our transports were brought into the
river from the bayou. where they had been kept
concealed, at daylight on the 7th, had Paine's
division loaded. The canal had been a prodig-
iously laborious work. twas tweves miles long,
six miles of which were through heavy timber
which had to be sawed off by hand four feet un-
der water.
The enemy has lined the opposite shore with
batteries, extending from Island 10 to Upton
vile, Merriweather Landing to prevent the pas
sage of the river by this army.
directed Capt Wake to run down with the
two gunbOats at daylight tho 7th the point
selected for crossing, aud silence the enemy's bat
teres near il. He performed the service gallant
| ly, and | hear bear testimony TO the thorough and
brilliant manner in which this officer discharged
his difficult duties with me, and the hearty and
earnest zeal with which, at all hazards, he CO.
operated with me.
As soon as he signaled me, the boats contain
ing Paines 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 spectaces | ever
witnessed BY - o'clock that night, the 7th, all
the forces designed to cross the river were over
without delay or accident
As soon az we commenced to cross, the enemy
began to eyacuate Island No. 10 and his batteries
along the shore. The divisions were pushed for
ward to Tiptonville as fast they landed. Paine's
leading. The enemy was driven before him, land
although they made several attempts to form in
line OF battle and make a stand, Paine did not
once deploy bis columns. The enemy was pushed
all night vigorously until at o'clock A. NJ, he
was driven back upon the swamps anG forced to
surrender
Three Generals, seven Colonels, seven reg-
ments, several battalions of infantry five com
panies of artillery, over one hundred heavy siege
:. guns twenty four pieces of field artillery an i'm
mense quantity of ammunition and supplies, seve-
raj thousand stand OF small arms, great number
of tents, horses, wagons, &C., g. have fallen into
our hands.
Before abandoning Island No. 10, the enemy
sunk the gunboat Campus, and six OF his trans
ports. These last / am raising, and expect to
have ready for service in few days. The famous
floating battery seuttled, and turned adrift
with all her guns aboard she was captured and
run aground in shoal water by forces at New
| Madrid.
Our success is complete and overwhelming.
Our troops, as expected, behaved gloriously. 1
will, in my full report, endeavor to do full justice
to ALL Brigadier Generals Paine, Stanley and
Hamilton crossed the river, and conducted their
divisions with untiring activity and skill. l am
especially indebted to them. Gen. Paine, fortu-
nate in having the advance, exhibited unusual
vigor and courage, and had the satisfaction to
receive the surrender of the enemy. OF Colonel
Bissel of the engineer regiment, can hardly say
too much. Full of resource, untiring and deter
mined, he labored night and day, and completed
a work which will be monument of enterprise
and skill.
We have crossed this great river with a large
army, the banks of which vere lined with bate
ries of the enemy to oppose our passage; have
pursued and captured all his forces and material
OF war, and have not lost man nor met with an
accident. JOHN PoPE, Major General.