Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-16
Ofic1al Reports of the Capture OF
Island No. 10.
FLAG SHIP BENTON, ISLAND No, 10,
April 8, 1862.

FLAG SHIP BENTON, ISLAND No, 10,
April 8, 1862.
HoS. GIDEON wELIEs, Sec. Navy:
have to inform the Department that
since sent the telegram last night an
nouncing 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 Gen. Buford-
Seventeen officers and S6S privates, be-
sides 100 ofthe sick, and 100 men employ
ed on board the transports are in our
hands Internationally prisoners OF war
have caused hasty examination to De
made of forts, batteries and munitions OF
war captured. There are III earthworks
with 20 cannon, varying IN calibre from
30 to 100 Founders rified-
The magazines are well supple >gith
powder, and there are large quantities. Of
Shot and she'll and other munitions OF war,
and also great quantity of provisions
-Four steamers afiOat have fallen into our
hands, and two Others with the rebel gun
boat Grampus are sunk, but will be easily
raised.
The floating battery of sixteen heavy
guns was turned adrift by the rebels, and
is said to be lying on the Missouri shore.
below New Madrid.
The enemy upon the main land appear
to have fled with great precipitation after
dark last night, leaving in many cases,
halfprepared meals in their quarters, and
there seems to have been no concert of
action between the rebels upon the IS
land and those occupying the shore. but
the latter fed, leaving the former to their
fate.
These works, erected with the highest
engineering skill, are of great strength,
and, with their. natural advantages, would
have been impreenable if defended by
men fighting in a better cause. A COM
bined attack of the naval and land forces
would have taken place this afternoon or
tomorrow morning had not the rebels so
hastily abandoned this stronghold. To
mature the plans of attack absolutely re-
auired twenty-three days of preparation.
Gen. Pope is momentarily expected to
arrive with his army at this point, he hav-
ing successfully crossed the river yestcr-
day under hasty FIRE, which no doubt
led to the hasty abandonment Of the
works.
am unofficially informed that the two
gunboats which so calamity ran the FIRE
Of the rebel batteries few nights since.
yesterday attacked and reduced the fort
of the enemy opposite, dismounting eight
heavy guns.
The following is copy Of the order Of
Gen. Mccall, assuming command Of the
rebel forces on the 5th inst:
SOLDIERS We are strangers. command
er and commanded, each 70 the other
Let me tell you who ] am. am Cen
eral made BY Beauregard {; General So
lected by Beauregard and Bragg. for this
command, when they knew il was in per-
il. They have known me for twenty
wears. We have stood on the field Of
Mexico. Give, then, your confidence to
me. Give it to me when have earned
il. Soldiers, the Mississippi Valley is en-
trusted to your patience. Exhibit the
vigilance and eoolness Of last night, and
hold il.
ISignedl W.D. McCALL. Brig. Gen.
/ regret the painful condition Of my
feet, still requiring the use Of crutehes.
prevented me from making personal ez-
animation of the works. ] was therefore
compelled to delegate Lieut.. Command
ing Phelps Of the Flagship Benton.
TSigned1 A. H. FOoTE,
Flag Officer Commanding.