Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-07
Island Ten.
correspondent writing under date of the ID
inst. from Island Ten saws:

A correspondent writing under date of the I'd
inst from Island Ten SAYS:
Our chronic dullness was relieved YESTERDAY by
a hope that something is about 20 happen. The
hope is based on preparations, visible and sup
posed, and upon actual occurrences. We believe
that we are on the eve of fight, but we have be-
lieyed the same thing so many times, without any
definite result, that we have come TO lose faith in
the future.
A bold exploit was achieved by our troops on
Tuesday night A party of soldiers from Col
Buford's command, about fifty in number. went
down the river in yawl boats and entered the
upper battery in the rebel Notifications, spkng
the guns and escaping without any loss. There
were -four O. Founders and two l2S Founders, the
latter being the guns that have thrown all the
shot that have reached US. The battery
guarded by a small detachment of rebel soldiers.
who fired on the boats and fled without any fur
Their resistance. The guns were spiked with
round files. aud were probably rendered useless,
as the operation of removing the spikiug is very
difficult one and can not be performed at all with
out the proper tools.
Thd fact that this battery, against which the
whole rength of our fleet directed, was so
little injured 10 be in readiness for action, ar
CUES that We have done them As little damage as
they have done us We have had reports of our
achievements in dism0unting and silencing this
battery, and as il has been perfectly silent for
week or two, have had some reason TO believe
them. Ii appears. however that We did them
very little harm. and that our random lombard
ment of the last two weeks has been of so little
consequence that they made no reply at all.
Firing quite brisk yesterday. The NOR
tars opened with frequency, and the rebels made
the most energetic reply that they have deigned to
give during the siege Their balls fell thick and
fast around the gunboats. but nobody was hurt
Ii would be great relief if somebody would
cOndescend TO become a sacrifice on the altar of
their country. This going to war for weeks at a
time, and burning powder night and day, without
anybody being hit. is very dull business.
Sickness is increasing greatly and is destined to
become serious matter with our army. The
prevailing comOlaint is diarrhea brought on by
salt diet. malaria and drinking river water. Eve
rybody is coming down with it, The men suffer
greatly and fast filling the hospitals The
officers are equally exposed. and of the corps of
newspaper correspondents here collected not one
has escaped the cOntasiOn in more or less severe
form. The weakening effect of the malady can
not be imagined 1t is virulent in its attacks and
makes quick work of the victim. few DAYS
continuance makes it chronic, and then typhoid
fever sets in. and If life is saved it is only by
months of suffering and weakness Ii is eestned
to prove the scourge of the Northern army.
There are five thousand men from Gen Grants
army in the Cairo and Mound City hospitals fro N
THE malady alone.
Gen. Pope Is in motion, and we are in hopes to
hear something decisive from him in a short time.
Active preparations are being made in the fleet,
which argues important matters in hand, and il
We can only receive the cooperation of the land
forces. battle will mm ediately occur. Without
that, things must remain IN SfGtu quo.