Saturday, October 15, 2011

From Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 28 [sic].

A special to the Chicago Times, dated off Island No. 10, March 29, says: There are no indications of an immediate renewal of hostilities.  The bombardment is kept up at intervals, and is doing good service in keeping the enemy awake, and preventing too much activity in fortifying.

The Benton opened yesterday, and delivered an effective fire into the upper battery, but elicited no reply.

The mortars are firing shell into the Island fortifications every half hour, but no reply is received except an occasional shot at a transport which has ventured within range.  The Wilson received a rifled salute yesterday which did no damage.

A man came across from the Island yesterday, who reports that the effect of our fire on the batteries was very serious; states that the upper battery was entirely silenced, and 69 men killed; 20 or 30 men were killed on the Island.  Our shells reached the main land three miles and a half from here, and did some execution – He reports the rebels determined to resist, and showing no signs of evacuation.  They are fortifying continually, and evidently expect a desperate struggle.

We can see steamers running up and down continually between the Island and the main land.

No tidings from Gen. Pope.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 2

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