From New Madrid

NEW MADRID, April 4. – A severe storm passed over camp this forenoon, and during its continuance we heard nothing of artillery practice at Island No. 10.

This afternoon the shower had passed, and the roar of the mortars is heard continually.  A furious bombardment is progressing; the peculiar rolling roar of the mortars reverberates across the country to the camp like the artillery of heaven.

The entire army will be paid off this week. – The Paymaster, escorted by two companies of cavalry, arrived to-day from Birkestown with the necessary funds.

The promulgation of Gen. Pope’s order relative to depredations upon the telegraph is creating the [liveliest] satisfaction.  The General means business, and holds the inhabitants individually responsible for the safety of the line.

A teamster who has just returned from Commerce, reports that S. G. Ritchen, the well known Colonel of the rebel Thompson’s band of thieves is in the swamps back of that post, with a squadron of rebel cavalry estimated at 200, and that fears are entertained that the Union men in that vicinity will be subjected to fresh persecutions.

Another report is current this evening that Jeff Thompson has assembled a force of considerable strength at Holand’s Island, at the terminus of the plank road extending westward from Point Pleasant, about 12 miles from this camp.  His position is represented by scouts as exceedingly strong and his defences so arranged that with an insignificant force he can withstand almost any army we can bring against him.

On Board the U. S. Gunboat Carondolet,

New Madrid, April 5.

At last the blockade is passed – the gauntlet is run – the navigation of the Mississippi is proved possible in spite of rebel guns and rebel fortifications.  The U. S. gunboat Carondolet, Capt. H. Walker, arrived this morning, at one o’clock having passed the fortifications of Island No. 10 and the batteries upon the main land opposite, and now lies safely moored to the shore under the guns of the upper fort at New Madrid.

The Carondolet left the fleet last evening at 10 o’clock, during a terrific thunder storm, and having taken barge in tow, laden with hay and coal to serve as protection from the enemy’s balls, extinguished her lights, put on steam and rapidly sailed down the river.  The first intimation the rebels had of the attempt to run the blockade, was the fire which issued from the burning chimney of the gunboat, and immediately thereafter it was greeted with a shower of balls from the infantry stationed at the upper battery – the same which was so effectually spiked a few days since by Col. Roberts.

A signal rocket was then sent up.  In an instant the entire line of batteries were a flame.  Four batteries on the Kentucky shore and one on the point of the Island fired in quick succession, but the Carondelet passed them all in safety, and unmindful of the leaden and iron shower which fell around, passed through the fiery ordeal unharmed, not a man injured, and excepting musket balls which struck the iron plated sides of the gunboat she was untouched.

The floating battery is located three miles below the Island, and bestowed a parting shower of blazing compliments as the Carondelet glided quietly by.

The Hollings’s Ram Manassas did not appear.

Officers and men acquitted themselves with admirable courage and fidelity.  During the intense darkness the officers could not make an extensive and satisfactory reconnoissance of the batteries, but the enemy probably did his best.  The fire was tremendous.

Mr. O. T. Fishback, of the Missouri Democrat, was on the Carondelet, while running the blockade, and to him we are mainly indebted for the above particulars.

NEW MADRID, April 5, 5½ P. M. – Mr. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War visited the Carondolet to-day with Gen. Pope, to congratulate Capt. Walker upon the achievement in running the blockade.  The Capt. visited Camp Donald and was escorted back to the gunboat by a company of cavalry.

There is nothing further from the fleet since the Carondelet ran the blockade.  Nothing has transpired, so far as we can learn, as to the damage the cannonading has already caused.

Prof. Steiner arrived this evening with his balloon to make a reconnoissanse of the enemy’s position along the river.

The Government Telegraph between this camp and Cairo is now in operation.

The steamer J. C. Cowan arrived to-day from St. Louis, bring two batteries of artillery.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4