Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-16
NO. 6
The mississippi UnlOosod.


The details of the battle near Pitts
burg Landing, on the Tennessee, absorb
30 much Of the public attention aud in
terest, that the victory at Island No. 10
and its results, are almost overshadowed.
Yet this victory was one of the most mo-
mentous and decisive in the wal, frank
ing only second 10 that 81 Fort DonelsOn.
The battle at Pittsburg Landing was
greater both as tQAthe number Of troops
engaged and the determined valOr shown
on botn siCies, than any that has vet been
fought in the campaign, but the triumph
at No. 10, though comparatively blood
less, was of higher Importance than any
thing which has occurred in the West
since the opening up of the Cumberland
river Not only have upwards Of Eve
thousand rebels been disarmed and taken
prisoners, with large number of officers,
from Generals dOwn-not only has a vast
amount Of artillery, military stores, &c,
changed hahds-@nOt only have the mate
rial results been of immense magnitude
but points have been gained Of the most
decided consequence in the further pros
ecution of the war on the Mississippi.
For long time Columbus stood as the
rebel Gibraltar Of the West, magnificent
in its array of battlements and bristling
cannon, and in all the appliances belong
ing to a stupendous military strong hold.
But Columbus vast as were its defensive
works, was not considered formidable
enough against the forces of the Union,
and the quick eye of Beauregard selected
island No. 10 as more invulnerable and
better adapted TO The purposes Of war.
He was undoubtedly correct We ques-
tion if another point could have been
chosen along the banks of the river To
New Orleans ahording equal chances Of
success against our army and gunboats.
Gen. Mackall, soldier for thirty years,
pronounced il, in his General Orders,
''the key of the Mississippi" and other
officers in the rehe! service believed il 10
be the most invincible position that could
be found to obstruct the Federal advance.
We take them at their word, and say
now that the capture of Island No. 10
is tantamount 20 the virtual opening up
Of the great stream. Something is still
said about Forts Osceola, Randolph and
Pillow. The armament 9f-the two former
was nearly, if not quite all removed to
No. Ten. There is no enemy in force at
either of them. Recent movements have
compelled the Confederates TO reform
their military line, and we think il will
now be found to stretch from Fort Pillow
on the left TO Corinth on the right, with
perhaps Grand Junction in the center,
thus abandoning Jackson. Every energy
Of the enemy is concentrated for the de-
fence of Memphis, and all else is subor-
dinated to this one grand endeavor.
But while the rebels are exhibiting the
utmost activity in preparations Cor the
new impending conflict, the Union forces
are rapidly arranging to follow up their
recent glorious victories and attack, pUr-
sue and destroy the enemy. The re-
naming divisions of Gen. Buelrs comand
have now reached Pidsburg Landing,
and Gen Halleck will be in command OF
all the forces there, in person. A large
/ pumber of transports have been engaged
to convey Gen. Pope's army 70 MemlptiS,
and some of the gunboats have already
started. The fears and apprehensions OF
the Memphis secessionists are not un-
the tim es if May-day does. not find the
Union soldiers safely quartered and
firmly established in the commercial
capital Of Tennessee and the rebel hordes
disorganized and scattered in the Gull
, States. Island No. 10 is the key Of the
Mississippi, says Gen. Mackall Per
haps he little appreciated the full fore,
of his words when he said that.--Mi1.
! soayi Republican, l2h.
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