. . . in attacking forts and batteries, is an established fact. The difficulty is not in the power of the mortars or the tremendous destructive capabilities of the shells, but in the impossibility of throwing the shells with accuracy. Captain Davis has continued mortar practice at Fort Wright. The tremendous bombardment of Island No. 10 was without effect. Even the bombardment of the forts below New Orleans was almost useless. Gen. Butler says the forts were as strong after the bombardment as before. Rifled and heavy shell guns are the implements.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1
