The telegraph wire between Bird’s Point and this camp was discovered, to-day, to be cut in at least a dozen places between here and Sikeston. Gen. Pope immediately issued a special order directed to residents along the route, that they will be held responsible for the safety of the telegraph, and that if that if any damage was done to it near their farms or residences, their houses shall be burned; themselves and families arrested, brought to camp, and visited with the severest punishment.
No change has been made in the position of affairs at the Fort or Point Pleasant and Ruddle’s Point. Rebel gun boats and transports pass without difficulty our batteries at Point Ruddle, but none have come above Point Pleasant.
A special to the Chicago Tribune, dated on board the steamer Wilson, Island No. 10, April 4, says: Yesterday the bombardment was more active on our part thus far. Several days previously at 10 o’clock the Benton crossed over to the Missouri shore near the point, and commenced firing with her new Dahlgrens at the floating battery. Three shots struck, and it was hauled off to the foot of the Island, apparently disabled.
In the afternoon a reconnaissance was made by a small party in a skiff. After burning the steamer Winchester, which was sunk in the chute, they circumnavigated the entire Island, and report they did not see a man upon it.
Tents were still standing, and while the party were in the vicinity, several of our shells struck in the encampment, but not a person could be seen. Nothing was seen of the floating battery. Whatever may be the condition of the Island, it is evident the rebels still remain in force upon the main shore.
To-night a large force of men were observed at work in the upper battery, trying to unspike the guns, which Col. Roberts so effectually spiked on Wednesday night. – The Benton opened upon them with her Dahlgren rifles, and with the aid of the mortars soon drove them out.
Nothing late from Gen. Pope has been received, although we can hear his cannonading almost incessantly day and night.
The health of the fleet and land forces is excellent. Nearly all of the newspaper correspondents, however are sick.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 8, 1862, p. 2
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