Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-13
Isinnh No. 10.

know the geographical situation lshe
Mississippi here makes bend nearly in
the form Of horseshoe, or rather
mule shoe. The Island is near the toe
Of the shoe, but little lower down the
river,
The distance across the heel of the
shoe is twelve miles. Just below the
bend on the Mississippi side of the river
is the city Of New Madrid The first
movement was to capture this latter place.
The Island itself had been selected by
Beamegard as a point capable of so being
defended as to obstruct completely the
navigation of the river and TO be impreg-
nable against any attack. The Island
had been fortified by the skill of Gen'I
John p. McCown, native of Sewer
county in this State, and like Beaurcgard,
Buckner, Bragg, Polk, Filghman and
Johnston, educated at the expense of the
United States.
The attack was commenced nearly four
weeks ago 5y the land forces under Gen
Pope and the flotilla, consisting of gun
boats and mortar boats, under Commo-
dore Foote. A bombardment was begun
by the fleet and kept up at the rate of
some few shots per hour for nearly three
weeks, and without any marked results.
Secesh was in ecstacy. AS usual they
fed themselves on all sorts of reports.
Gunboats were destroyed, troops were
captured, our batteries were shelled, and
all manner of misf0rtunes befel us.
In the meantime Gen. POPE was con-
irving TO get below the Island without
passing the fire of the rebel batteries
For this purpose the idea was conceived
of cutting canal across the heel of the
horse shoe capacious enough for the pas
sage of steamboats,. The operation is
thus described by Gen. PORE in his Off
cial report:
"The canal across the peninsula opposite
! Island No. l0-and for tie idea OF which
am indebted to Gen, Schuyler Hamilton-
was completed by Col. BisselPs Engineer
regiment, aud four steamers were brought
| through on the night OF the 9Th.
- me canal has been n prodigiously la
borious work. 1t was twelve miles long, six
miles OF which were through heavy timber
which had to be sawed cf by hand four feet
! under water.
1Of Col. Biasell, OF the Engineer R4gi-.
! n t.f
resources, uniting and determined, h la
! bored night and day, and completed Il work
which will be monument Of euterpris3 and
skill.
This done, preparations were made to
cross the river in great force. OF this
movement Gen. PoPE says:
As soon as we commenced to cross. the
enemy began to evacuate Island No. 10. aud
his batteries along the shore, The divisions
were pushed forward 10 Tiptonville, as fast
az they i1uji-d, Paiae's leading. TIE enemy
was driven before him, aud although they
made several attempts to form in line OF bat
tie and II. Ike a stand. Paine did not once
deploy his columns. The enemy was pushed
all night vigorously, until o'clock A, NJ
he was driven back upon the swamps aud
forced 20 surrender.
Three Generals, seven Colonies, seven
regiments. several battaliOns of infantry,
five companies OF artillery, over one hne-
bred heavy siege guns, twenty four pieces OF
field artillery, an immense quantity Of am
munition aud supplies, several thousand of
mil arms, great number OF tents, horses
wagons, etc, etc, have ielien into our
hands.
Before abandoning lsalnd No. TO- the ene-
nv sunk lhe gunboat Grampus and six o. his
Transports. These last am raising, and tx
peCt to have ready for fervice 10 few days
The famous floating battery was scultled ana
TUNED adrifJ with all her guns aboard She
was captured and run agrOuud IN -h0al
water by our iorcssat New Madrid.
Our success is complete and overwhelming
lie concludes by saying:
We have crossed This great river with
large army, The banks OF which were lined
With batteries OF he enemy TO oppose our
passage have pursued ana captured all bic
iorces aud material OF war, aud cave noJi.st
a man, nor met an accident.
A dispatch to the St. Louis Republican
gives the following summary Of the cap
lures;
Se,eral bugdred b,rrels OF molas.c., SO
cannon. A3O wagons, l2G horses 600 muics,
3 600 stand Of small arms, 80 pieces OF light
artillery, and great quantities ut blanket,
clothing, &c, have lul.tn iutu cur hands.
TIE Total number Of prisoners captured Is
600 including one Maj5rGeurrl. Nackoll,
and Bigadicr Generals Gtult, Walker and
SChUum.
In addition Commodore Foote reports
that there were captured by the gunboais
on taking possion Of the Island
Seventeen officers and three hundred aad
siNty-,isht privates. be.id IS O1c hundr q ni
their ,iok, mud one hundred meu employed
op board lbe transports, are iu our hands,
uncondtionaliy prisoncrsui wal
And adds