, 1862-03-31
THE SIEGE OF ISLAND No. 10
EXPLORING A PASSAGE.
Correspondence Of The New York Fribune.l
Us GusnoAE EE4yog> ahoye Island 10, |
Marrh 2atl, lSi2.

COMNCNICATIOS WITH CEN POPE.
Late on Tuesday night, Col. J. ". BiEsell,
Of the Engineer Regiment which accompanies
Gen. Pope's Expedition, and has rendered it
here from New Madrid. The distance is only
eight miles by river, but as the rebels hold
three or four miles Of that with their batteries.
mounting neafly a hundred gttns, be was COM
PEELED to find route across the country,
through the swamps. He came in skiH, nc
water so deep that he believed one Of the
bayous above here, extending across the
swamps to New Madrid, to be navigablc at
this high stage Of water for our propellers.
Yesterday morning, therefore, he started upon
one Of the tugs to prospect the river, for the
route to Eew Madrid. -Four Of the Inevitable
Journalists who accompany the 1otilia went
along as historians. The little Intrepid
steamed up the river, near the Missouri shore,
plunglng her nose into the high running
waves, and showering the water over every
trunks and branches Of the sycamores are
tuftcd with rich green nisnetoe, and the
bursting buds Of the cottonwoods begin to
wear the sweet livery Of spring"
INVESTIGATIONS AMONG TIE HAIoEs.
Five miles up we passed the mouth Of one
Of the bayous; but a bank was thrown across
1t two or three years ago, aud the sediment
into broad leVee. Two miles further VIC
reached another, III precisely the same condi-
lion. We questioned several white men at the
plantations along the bank, but though pro-
iessing to be 1oyalists, like most Union men
in this region, they proved to be grsat Know ss.
the country, within two or three miles Of their
residences, was really marvellous. The ne
grocs, as usual, were more communicative
they Informed Us that NC had passed the only
water-couree which could be entered from the
river. We returned to it, and found broad,
from the Mississippi, passed through corn
field, and disappeared in the woods beyond;
The tug Tae made fast to about an acre Of
drift logs, which have accu mulated ct the
entrance, for running her into the uncertain
channel involved the contingency Of sticking
would leave her In the midst Of the field; and
nc had no desire to furnish coEncrib for tue
planter Col Bisseu explored the slough with
his skiff, across the cornhelds into the woods,
and returned with the report that the sound
ings revealed only three and half feet Of
tied the question for her, though yawls and
loatboats can be taken across. Col Bissel],
with his skjG started through the swamps and
bayous for New Madrid (eight miles,) and the
tug returned to the feet.
WHAT GEN. POPE Is DOING.
Z Ten miles below New Madrid, On the Mis-
eouri shore, is Point Pleasant, where Pope has
planted q battery, which commands The r1Ser.
On Tuesday he established La third battery, fye
miles below. Point Pleasant, still on the Mis-.
souri, shore. As soon as the rebels below saw
it, they came up gallant1y with three Of their
gunboats and engaged it. They approached
SO near that his sharpshooters we're enabled to
pick off many Of them with rifles through the
portfolios. They poured solid shot, shell
grape and canister upon his works, which
mount only two guns, for several hours, bul
he did not lose single man. His well direct
| ed shots, however, sunk one Of their gunhoats
| and disabled the two others, which went drift
ing down the stream. Gen Pope is certainly
performing his part admirably.
IT, . NECESSITY OF sESpEa BOATS TO HE.
The immediate river communication of tht
| rebels at :No.10 is, therefore, completely GU
of. But they have an excellent, dry road
leading from the island across point Of land
cn the Tennessee side, to Mptonyil]e; on: thi'
ty miles below New Madrid, and five below
Pope's lower battery, it is only five u1ile'
across the land from the island. Should ~
now succeed in driving the rebels from thet
Notifications, they would be compelled. K
leave their heavy guns behind, and probabi,
sink their gunboats and Transports; but the.
could all escape to Tipt0nfllle, and from ina
point take transports down the river AS In
dicated above, all Pope's forces are on tn
Missouri shore; His expedition went over
land ffpu Cairo to New Madrid; therefore
t he has nothing whateyerto cross the rive
with, not even skif. If he can obtain th
means Of throwing psEt Of his force OYER +
rear of; the rebels At No. 10, cutting of thei
| communication with Tiptonyille. They vi
then be completely surrounded, and mus
| soon Buccumb.. rr, - 4...