The Cecil Whig., 1862-04-19
The vietsry at Island No. 10.
GEN. POPE'S OFFICIAL REPORT.
ExPEDITIoNARY FORCES,


Major General II. w. HuVeck:
The canal across the peninsula opposite
Island No. I0-and for the idea in which |
am indebted to Gen. Schuyler Hamilton
was completed by Colonel Bissers Engineer
Regiment, and steamers were brought through
on the night of the 9Th. The heavy batteries
l had thrown up below Tiptonvile completely
commanded the lowest point of the high
ground on the Tennessee shore, entirely cut
ting off the enemy's retreat by water; his
retreat by land has never been possible
through the s%amps. On the night of the
4th, Capt. Wake, of the navy, ran the enc
my, s batteries at Island No. 10, with the gun
boat Carondclet, and reported to me here
On the night of the 9th the gunboat Pitts
burg also ran the blockade. Our transports
were brought ints the river from the bayou,
where they had been kept concealed, and at
daylight on the 9TH had Painn's division
loaded. The canal had beer prodigiously
laborious work. 1t was twelve miles long,
six miles Of which were through heavy tim.
bcr which had to be sawed On by hand four
feet under water.
The enemy has lined the oppsite shore with
batteries, extending from Island No. 10 to
Tiptonvile, Merriwcather Landing, to pre-
vent the passage OF the river by this army.
directed Capt. Wake to run down with
the Two guliboats at daylight on the Eth to the
point selected for crossing. and silence the
encmy's batteries near it. He performed the
service gallantly, and here bear testimony
to the thorough and brilliant manner in
which this officer discharged his difficult
duties, with me, and to the hearty and earnest
zealwth which. at all hazards, he co-operated
with me.
AS soon as he signaled me, the boats con-
tanning Pane's 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
spectacles l ever Witnessed. By twelve
O'Clock that night, the 7th, all the forces
designed to cross the river were over, without
delay or accident.
AS soon as we commenced to cross. the
enemy began to evacuate Island No. 10 and
his batteries along the shore. The divsins
were pushed forward to Tiptonville as fast as
they landed, Paine's leaang. The enemy
was driven before him, and, although they
made several attempts to form in line of bat
tie and make q stand, Paine did not once
deploy his columns. The enemy was pushed
all night vigorously, until. at O'clock A. M,
he was driven back upon the swamps aui
fclced to surrender Three generals, seven
colonies, seven regiments, several battalions
of infantry, five companies of artillery, over
one hundred heavy siege guns. twenty four
pieces OF field artillery, an immense quantity
of ammunition and supplies, several thousand
stand of small arms, great number of tents
horses, wagons, etc., etc., have fallen into
our hands.
Before abandoning Island No. 10, the
enemy subk the gunboat Grampus and sin of
his transports. These last [ ain taisirE, and
expect to have ready for service in few
days. The famous floating battery was
scuttled, and turned adrift with all her guns
aboard; she was captured and run aground in
shoal water, by our forces, at New Madred.
Our success is complete and overwhelming
Our troops, as expected, behaved glorously
l will, in my full report, endeayor to do full
justice to all Bligadier Generals Paine,
Stanley, and Hamilton crossed the river, and
conducted their division with untiring activity
and skill. ! am especially indebted to them.
Gen. Paine, fortunate in having the advance,
exhibited unusual vigor and courage, and
had the satisfaction to receive the surrender
ofthe enemy. OtCol. Bissell, of the engineer
regiment, | can hardly say too much. Full
of resource, untiring and determined, he
laborcd night and day, and completed a work
skill.
We have crossed this great river with a
large army, the banks Of which were lined
with batteries 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.
JonN PopE.
Major General