Latest from Island No. 10

FLAGSHIP BENTON, ISLAND NO. 10,

EVENING of April 3.

At an early hour this morning a large object was seen moving up along the Island, and glasses revealed it to be the floating battery, which the rebels were towing into position, from which to command good range of the mortar boats. – When it got sufficiently near, a brisk fire was at once opened upon it, and in the course of half an hour the battery was struck several times – splinters being thrown in all directions, and several beams displaced.  One mortar shell fell and exploded directly inside, wrapping the inside in a cloud of smoke.  The fire must have been terribly destructive to the gunners, for the battery was immediately sunk to the water’s edge by the rebels, and towed back out of range.  The few shot previously fired from it fell some distance short, but evidently only from unskillful gunnery, as the ordnance as at other times proved of long range.

A shot from one of the new rifled Dahlgrens on the Benton, carried away the smoke-stack of the steamer thought to be the Lackland, which attempted to run reconnoitering along the Kentucky shore.

At one time a crowd of rebels could be seen busily at work on their upper battery, the guns of which were spiked two nights ago.  They were repairing the work apparently endeavoring to unspike the cannon.  Some shell were thrown at them, when they immediately disappeared, and did not return again.

A great source of annoyance for some time has been the steamer Winchester, lying sunk in the stream some distance from the island, and used by the enemy’s spies, who could from there watch easily every movement of the fleet.  An effort was accordingly made this morning to destroy it, and a mortar shell being lodged successfuly, the boat was soon in flames, and burned to the water’s edge.

The skillful firing to-day has rendered the foe extremely cautions; all their tents are moved back far out of range, and it is only at rare intervals that individuals show themselves.

Advices from New Madrid report affairs here quiet, and the fact is fully ascertained that the rebels have erected batteries on the Kentucky shore opposite New Madrid.  The ballon has been taken from herp.

The river is falling very rapidly, and it will soon be possible to land troops at any point wished along the banks here.  This will much facilitate operations.

CAIRO, April 5. – The firing at Island No. 10 last night disabled a floating battery of the rebels.  One shell struck directly in it, killing three of the men and disabling it so that it floated down towards the foot of the Island.  The firing to-day has been more active and has done good execution.

A messenger from New Madrid this evening reports that the rebels erected a battery last night opposite Point Pleasant, and this morning opened fiercely upon our works.  After firing for some time the battery was silenced by our guns, and a warehouse on the Kentucky shore was fired by our shells.  It and its contents were consumed.  No casualties on our side reported, and the loss of the rebels is not known.  Several must have been killed.  All quiet here.  No news from the Tennessee.

The bombardment to-day upon our side had been very heavy.  The mortars have kept up a regular and splendid fire.  The work admirably and with great precision.

At 2 o’clock this afternoon one o four shells struck the sunken steamer Winchester, which the rebels sank in the shoot.  The shell set her on fire and she was soon consumed.  She has been used as a rebel picket house.  The enemy has replied but a few times, and then wildly.

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