The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-11
Official Report of Com. Foote.
FLAG SHIP BENTON, ISLAND No. 10, }
April s, 1862. {

FLAG SHIP BENTON, ISLAND NO. IU,
April s, 1862.
10 Hon. Gideon Nelles:
have the honor to inform the Department
that since sent the telegram last night, an
novuciug the surrender to me Of Island No. 10,
u,ssession has been taken both of the Island
and works upon the Tennessee shore by the gun
boats and the troops under Gen. Buford. Sew
enIeen officers and 36S priv ties, besides 100 sick
and 100 men employed on board transports, in
our hands are unconditional prisoners of war.
| have caused hasty examination OF the forts,
etc captured. There are eleven earthworks,
seventy heavy cannon, ranging from 80 to 100
poundes, rltied The magazines are well sup
flied with powder, and there are large quanti-
lies OF shot, shell, and other munitions OF war,
ais, great quantities OF provisions.
Four steamers alOat have fallen into our
haIds AMI two others, with the rebel gunboat
Graln1l,s, are sunk, but can be easily ralsed.-
The floating battery Of sixteen heavy guns, tur
ned adrllt by the rebels, is said to be lying on
the Missouri shore below New Madrid.
The enemy upon the main land appeared to
have fed with great preci pitaton after dark
last night, leaving in many cases half prepared
meals in their quarters. There seems to have
iHtH III COuCtlb vi hClIOu DolWSCii lOUClo y
On the Island and those occupied on the shore,
but the latter fed, leaving the former to their
fate. These works were erected with the high.
est engineering skill and are of great strength,
and with their natural advantages would have
been impregnable if defended by men fighting
il better cause.
combined attack Of naval and land forces
would have taken the place this afternoon or
tomorrow morning had not tue rebels 50 hastily
abandoned their stronghold. To mature the
plans Of attack having absolutely required 70
days preparation.
Gen. Pope is momentariIy expected to arrive
with his army at this point, he having success
fully crossed the river yesterday under u heavy
fire, which no doubt led to the hastily abandon
ment of the works last night.
am unolcully informed that the two gun
boats, which So calamity ran the fire of the
rebel batteries few nights since, yesterday at
lacked and reduced the fort of the enemy oppo-
tie, dsmounting eight guns.
The following is Il copy OF the order OF Zen;
Mccall in assuming command OF the rebel
.orCes, 9th inst:
SOLDIERS We are strangers, commander and com
handed, each other. Let tell you who am am
aGeneral made by Beauregard-a General selected by
beGuregard and Bragg for this command, when they
knew it in peril. They have known me for twenty
years. Together we have stood the fields of Mexico
You have given them your confidence, now give it to me
when have earned it. s, ders-the Mississippi valley
entrrsted your courage, to your discipline to your
patience, Exhibit the vigilance and GOODNESS OF las
night and hold it, (Signed) w. D. MCCALL.
| regret that the painful condition OF my feet
still require me to use crutches. and which pre-
vented me from making a personal examlnat'o.
OF the works. | was, therefore. compelled tt
delegate Lieut.. Commanding Phelps of the Ben
ton. (Signed) a. II. FooTE,
Flag Officer.