Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-31
THE WAR ON THE MIssyssIPp,.

The Island No. 10 correspondent of the
Chicago Times, writes rather despondinp
lettor under date of the 22d inst We extract
few paragraphs which will show the extensive
scale upon which the siege is being conducted
STRENGTH, SKILL AND SECRECY OF TIE RKByIs
Each day makes a revelation of added
strength to the onemy's works here; and the in
dustry shown by them in continually strength
enlng their old batteries, and adding new ones,
ovInces their conception Of the importance of
this point, and the determination to make a
long snd desperate fight So far we have OBJ
tanned no decided success, though shelling
them continuously for over a week. and in
fact We have not succeeded in drawing the FIRE
from portion Of their batteries, though our
gunooats and poi ton Of Col. Bufords COM
mana have been temptingly exposed Thew
are very cautious in showing us the exact To-
cation OF their cannon by firing them and thus
giving US the range. Perhaps, too, economy
OF ammunition IS necessary, joined with an in
cllnaaon to be foxy, and induce us to believe
that we may safely venture farther down.
But Commodore FOote thinks,too much of his
gunboats, and appreciates too well theenor-
inous consequences that would attend their loss
to venture with them upon foolhardy expert.
ments. His hOtlla is now net only the guard
Of the river proper, but Of Missouri, Kentucky,
and Cairo, for We have above Island No. 10 no
army now that could withstand a we'll discip-
lined and effective force Of 25 900 men, and it
rs precisely at this junctnre in the Southern
armies that VIC should look for bold and des-
perate measures-they arc necessary to re-
trleve failing cause and chcer disheartened
troops.
TIE REBELS ILLUMINATE THE RIVER.
Inc anxiety to get a boat down to New
Madrid seems to be understood by secesh, and
they being fearful Of some OF the tugs attempt
ing passage in the dark, have built at
night enormous fires az the head of the island.
and assisted the illumination with revolving
reflector that at intervals throws its rays en-.
tirely across the river, making the kentucky
shore distinctly visible. 1t Is q scene for a
painter Above, some two miles, are the low,
r black bulls Of cur gunboats. surrounded with
their transports. So strong is the light that
occasionally the dim outline of soldier can
be seen going around the fire. The island
itself IS almost submerged, and, being covered
near the banks, with thick growth Of bushes
u scenes the covert at once Of secrecy and
danger.
VULNERABILITY OF OUR GUNBOArs.
Inc enormous guns which we well know the
secesh have there, fred full upon our gunboats
from the elevation which Ghe bank of the river
gives at this point, would no doubt disable our
floating forts, as We should, in passing be
obliged to present our broadSidcs and stern to
their aim, and it may not be generally under
stood that these are the most vulnerable parts
Of our iron-clad western boats, the bow being
intended always to face the enemy, and there
fore triply shielded
IMPERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENEMY'S
SCHEMES.
Inc tcnacity with which they hold on here
proves how valuable time is to them, and
when driven from here it will doubtless be
seen that, while fighting at Island No. 10 thew
have been busy as beavers erecting stronger
and more formidable Qualifications att points
lower down. Where these points are, we will
only know when wc get to them, and perhaps,
IS IN THIS instance, shall be surprised that
such natural facilities for defence should be
overlooked. The 800 miles Of river from st.
LJuis to the Gulf are very impcrfectIy known
to our Generals, and We arc dealing with an
enemy perfectly acquainted with every wind.
ng, cape and headland