ST. LOUIS, March 27.
A special to the Republican, dated near Island No. 10, evening of the 26th, says only three shells were thrown by the mortars to-day, to which no response was made by the rebels.
This morning Col. Buford sent a reconnoitering party of 20 men of the 27th Illinois down the Missouri shore. They arrested three prominent residents, who report that 2,000 negroes are employed on the Island and at the batteries along the shore; that 65 rebel troops, including 2 Lieutenants and 4 negroes, have been killed by our shells; that the upper battery is abandoned, but the others are being rapidly strengthened; that the enemy is 15,000 strong; and their encampment has been moved entirely out of range of our guns. The rebels are confident of success and say they have a good road to Trenton and other points, by which they can escape whenever they choose. They have plenty of provisions.
Rebel steamers loaded with troops were seen, watching the shore to prevent communication from here.
The total number of the enemy’s transports are eleven.
Two balloon ascensions were made by Capt. Steiner, but the weather was too thick for favorable observation.
One partly finished gun boat, building at Memphis, was fired the other night, but was extinguished before much damage was done.
The new Tennessee levies were disbanding – they refusing to fight with picks, the only weapon offered to them.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 1
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