Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-04-24
MEMPHIS, TENN, April 15, 1862.

It. " P. PARKS, Little Rock
 Fy1.ad BucF: presume that you anxious to learn somewhat of the officers and men of our com pany. and of the misfortune winch attended Us at island 10. On Friday the 4th, about one o'clock in fhe morning during terrific storn one of the an Ece gin boats mounting l6 guns passed our batteries and anchored off their batteries at New Madrid Our men were up all nighs a the guns and at day break, wet tired and hungry we were ordered tonarch with out stopping for breakfast and without encumbeFing ourselves with blankets, any baggage, and take charge oi the batteries below New Madrid, distance of 10 miles. We arrived at o'clock r. n, and found that the company would be compelled to beseparacd, some of them being stationed at least two miles from the upper detachment. On Sunday the boat steamed down past guns, firing at us as It went, while SIX batteries on the Missouri shore joined in in the con test As the boat passed up again we still continued fU fire until our guns were dlsnountcd. We llt the boat but could do her no harm. That night another boat passed the Island batteries, and at day break III the morning both showere their balls upon our dls- mounted batteries, while the guns from the batteries poured q continual fire of SErapnell shell upon us- Our men acted braycy. It. Baggctt commanded the gun two miles below where l had stationed my self and nobly stood to his post until was folly 10 remain longer The enemy landed and spiked hls ano and then passed mp, smelling and spilng each battery above. l sent It. Osborn off with all of the men from the upper gun except Conway who remain ed with me to spike our gun, and to set hre 10 the house containing our baggage. Weremained almost foo lou at our post for When out of the house the gun boats were lying n shore only seventy yards below and had landed aboutseVenty men; we started on run across an open cornfeld under severe fire from their minnie muskets, the bullets Of which whistled mcomfortably near our heads; some thirty of them started to head Ills off, loading and firing as they ran all of the time following to they chased us some 15 miles. As soon 1 got ont into the road asked for It. Baggett and his detachment, and was informed that he had gone to Tiptonvillc, and recc. ed orders to do the same It. Osborn and six or seven men got on wagon and whon we got to Tiptonville got separated from me. When got into the road after leaving the river found all of the infantry in fui retreat for Tptonville regi ments Iremained at Tiptonyille with eightme until 9% o'clock p.m., awaiting to pick up more ofour men and only left when tho Yankee pickets fired upon the men. We then got on raft and 1ioated down the Mississippi river. It. Baggctt instead eff making his way to 1iptonyie went back to our old camp at the Island. He arrived here yesterday with le men, having crossed the lake. All the heavy artillery companies but IIumes, Angbird's and the Cur rillas got of. It. Osborne, l think must be prisoner. We leave this morning for Fort Pillow. fine Island was surrendered, lost five reg- mcnts of infantry, three companies of heavy ar tiilery. all of our guns and 10 brass pieces. learn that tic Yankee gun boats are now at Fort Pillow, and we % there to pay them back Col. Can't and his regiment and Col Smith of Benton and his regi- ment are among tho prisoners. Ut. c. Watkins of Col Smiths regiment is among those taken Col Tcrrys Battalion got away safe and arc now at Fort Pillow We lost about 2000 effective men.
 Yours truly F. W. HOADLEY, Capt.
 of Heavy Artillery.