Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-24
Island Ten-Ifs 81 tuatisn-A Protract
ed Struggle Anficipafed.

Island Ten-Ifs ii tuatfen-A Protract-
ed struggle Anticipated.
We gather the following interesting particu
lars of the location of Island 10 and the posi-
ton Of affairs there up to Tuesday evening last
from the editorial correspondence of the Chicago
Post:
1t is evident that the fight viii be protracted
one, and even now may be said to be scarcely
more than begun. The feet is now no nearer
the point we are endeavoring to subdue than on
the morning of the 18th. The transports still
are moored in their old position, and with the
exception of occasional trips up and down the
stream for distance of two or three miles, they
remain stationary, keeping up steam, however,
for ready and immediate use in case of emer
gency
The location of Island 10 seems to be peculi-
arly fitted by natural advantages as place for
long if not successful defense. The river sweeps
around a large bend which changes its course in
a direction almost exactly the opposite from that
in which it makes its way for several miles above
the island. The upper portion of the letter is
the readiest illustration which suggests itself
The feet now lies in the river short distance
above the narrow peninsula which, putting out
from the Kentucky shore, thus alters the course
of the stream. For distance of nearly four
miles above the peninsula, the river flows in a
direction nearly southwark, but striking this sud-
den impeachment, turns towards the northwest,
which course it pursues distance of some ten
miles, when it again turns and "makes" south
ward in direction nearly parallel with that above
it, thus creating the peninsula referred to. It's
at a point three miles below the commencement
of this projection of land that Island 10 is stu
ated being nearly in the center of the stream,
with channels upon either side sufficiently large
to admit the passage of the largest boats The
heavy fortifcations upon the island, therefore,
command both the Missouri and Kentucky shores.
But in addition to these defenses the rebels have
erected batteries upon the upper side of the pen
insula, three miles above extending to the island,
and commanding the river on its onward course
to the latter. 1t is the first of these we are now
endeayoring to reduce.
The Kentucky and T, nnessee State line passes
through the low er part of the peninsula, and but
short distance below the foot of the island. New
Madrid is located at the extreme point of the pen
insula on the Missouri shore, and ten miles dis
tact from the feet. The distance across the foot
ofthe peninsula TO point opposite the feet is not
five miles, while twenty FIVE miles must be ira
versed to reach the same point in following the
natural course of the river. One battery Is also
supposed to be located at the foot of the island.
These, with heavy guns placed along the river
bank distance of five miles, and all the batteries
except one commanding the fertilization we have
assaled. 1t is plainly evident that the reduction
of the entire line of defense is an hercuean task
and can not be accomplished save by persistent
and protracted seige.
The road which crosses the foot of the penin-
sula to the river on the opposite side does not,
as is supposed by many, pass through low, .marshy
ground, but over a slight elevation, and can at
all seasons be passed over with but little diff
Guilty.
The Missouri shore of the river in this vicinity
consists principally of low. fat land, the great
er portion of it overiown many months in the
year far distance of fifteen miles back from the
stream. When New Madrid is reached high land
is found, thickly settled and comparatively well
TILED. The inhabitants throughout are mostly
wealthy farmers, who have long lived upon the
very premises they occupied up to the time Of the
breaking out of the war.
In the midst of the peninsula above referred to
is located Reel Foot lake. a beautiful sheet OF
water, which should be prominent in history for
the reason that OH its shores reside the descend
ants of the immortal Davy Crockett With the
exception of this, the ground composing the PEN
insula is high and presents an undulating sur
face, dotted with the homes of numerous wealthy
farmers. Lake Reel Foot is known to but few
travellers up and down the Mississippi, and has
not attained a fame extending greatly beyond the
borders of the peninsuar itself But in days gone
by it has been the scene of many large and en-
thusiastic camp meeting, by Christians of the
Methodist persuasion.
The bombardment to-day was not as vigorous
ly persisted in as that of yesterday, but the guns
of our feet seem to have been more accurately
directed. and to have produced greater havoc
among the works of the rebels. Not being able
yet TO chronicle victory over any one of the
enemy's works, we unable to judge how Sc
we're has been the loss sustained on the opposite
side. Nor has any information been obtained
concerning the number of the enemy's forces con.
centrated at this locality. In the event of subdu-
ing the first of the batteries which it is believed
can not much longer hold out against US, an i'm
pedment to the taking immediate possession Of
it presents itself. The guns of the battery next
lower down are of sufficient range to cover the
now besieged works, and a transport endeavorng
| to land troops at that point would be completely
riddled. The infantry must, therefore, he landed
above, on the Kentucky shore, marched back into
the country a distance of three miles, until solid
ground is attained. and so by a roundabout
course gain the coveted position.
Before the 'cotllon" had fairly opened to-day
shell from one Of the enemy's batteries came
whizzing over one of the mortar boats stationed
on the Missouri shore and buried itself in the mud
beyond without exploding but scattering that de-
lectable compound lavishly over the men who
were at dinner. 1t was the first shot fred bv the
eiemy from the many aimed at this point which
has not fallen far short of its intended destina
ton. 1t was closer invitation than our mer
thought could be pas ed without notice, and an
answering l3-inch shell from them soon after ex
pioded apparently within short distance of the
offending gun.
The fight to day might well be characterized
as partial cessation OF hostilities il con-
Quoted by the mortars, the Benton and MounC
| City only assisting. No casualties occurred OF
board the hotilla, and the replies of the enem,
were delivered with by no means the accurac,
which characterized their fire in, the first OF tn,
attack At evening the mortars&ere again or
dered to fire at intervals during the night.
| The transports Wisconsin and Pike arrived
from Cairo this evening with six additional NOR
tar boats, which will be placed in position in tn,
morning.
1t is possible that some dependence is nov
| placed upon assistance from the land forces o
Gen Pope at New Madrid, only ten miles distant
By the feet above and that excellent commando
below, the enemy completely hemmed in al
Island 10, having no opportunity fer escape ex
cept to cross the peninsula and take to their boat
below Point Pleasant, the extreme southern poin
now occupied by our forces. Rebel guilboat
were yesterday endeavoring to get up the rive
| from below, and also some from the Island, boil
plans being efectually frustrated by our forces a
New Madrid
All Sorts of Paragraphs.
The Irish element, which has done such no