Special to the Chicago Tribune

CAIRO, April 8.

Dispatches from New Madrid are received.  The gunboats Carondelet and Pittsburg shelled and silenced the batteries on the opposite shore, when Pope ordered the troops across; it was effected without loss.  The rebels fled toward Tipton, sinking several of their transports, among others the Grampus.

The floating battery of the rebels, mounting ten guns, drifted down last night, and aground near Point Pleasant.  It will be recovered with its armament.  The Ohio Belle was also recovered.

Gen. Paine led the advance on the batteries.  Gen Pope at once took the Pittsburg and Carondelet, and with a part of his army hastened to Tipton, attacked the enemy this morning and took 2,000 prisoners, mostly from Arkansas and Louisiana.  He will probably get as many more before night.  The rebels fled to the swamps in great consternation.

The victory is complete and decisive.  Great quantities of stores, cannon and ammunition have fallen into our hands.  All the baggage and supplies are taken.

Gen. McCall, of the rebel Adjutant General’s department, is a prisoner.

The country between New Madrid and the Island, on the east side of the river is being scoured by our troops.  Many prisoners will doubtless be taken there.

Gen. Bissell, with transports is ordered down to Tipton by Gen. Pope, which is 12 miles below New Madrid, to bring cannon and other property up to New Madrid.

Divisions of our army are pursuing the fleeing rebels in all directions.  Their entire force at and about Island No. 10 is either taken prisoners or utterly routed and demoralized.

Hon. Emerson Etheridge has just arrived from Paducah – to him the news of our success is specially grateful.  His residence is 35 miles southeast of Hickman.  General Strong will send an escort with him to his home, to insure his safety.  Thousands of his former friends will great his arrival with a glorious welcome.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 2

The Carondelet Brushing Around

OTHER GUNBOATS RUN THE REBEL BLOCKADE.

Gen. Pope’s Division Cross the River.

SPEEDY TERMINATION OF THE SIEGE.

_____

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, April 7, 1862 – 10 P. M.

We have glorious news to-night from New Madrid.  Last night the gunboat Pittsburgh ran the blockade in safety under a terrible fire from the rebel batteries.  Four steam transports and five barges were also got through the slough from Phillip’s Landing above Island No. 10, by Col. Bissell’s corps of engineers.

This morning, under fire of the gunboats, silencing one of the rebel batteries, a company of men under Capts. Lewis and Marshal crossed the river and spiked a battery.  Another force took three other batteries, spiked the guns and threw the rebel ammunition into the river.

At eleven o’clock, in the face of a fire from other batteries, Gen. Paine with four regiments and a battery of artillery, crossed the Mississippi to the Kentucky shore.  Subsequently the division of Gen. Stanley and Gen. Hamilton crossed, and also Gen. Granger with his cavalry.  They are strongly posted and ready for any emergency.

The spectacle of so large a body of troops crossing in the teeth of the enemy’s batteries was truly magnificent.  The praises of Gen. Pope are upon every tongue.

It is believe here that forty-eight hours will decide the fate of Island No. 10.

It is hardly credible, but reports thus far agree that not a single casualty occurred during the whole of the magnificent affair.

FROM NEW MADRID DIRECT.

NEW MADRID, April 7.

There was heavy cannonading this morning in the direction of Point Pleasant, commencing at about 9 o’clock and continuing with scarcely any intermission until this hour (4 p. m.)  At noon, as the roar of the cannon was heard, I repaired to New Madrid and discovered the Carondelet steaming down the river, belching forth shot and shell at a line of rebel batteries on the Kentucky shore, opposite the lower fort.  The fire was vigorously returned from their batteries, most of which fell short and did no damage.  The Carondelet was aided by our battery established on the Missouri shore, between the lower fort and Point Pleasant, some of whose shot did splendid execution.

It is said that the guns on Wattrous Point, the most northerly battery, are silenced and destroyed.  Whether true or not, we have no means of determining.  We only know that after a shell from our guns struck their entrenchments, there was an immense cloud of dust raised, and the rebels were seen running about in wild confusion, and the guns afterwards maintained a mysterious and obstinate silence.

At this moment, standing on the river bank below the upper fort, I can see the Carondelet steaming below the point at a distance from here apparently of 10 miles.  She must be approaching Riddle’s Point.

Besides the rebel batteries above mentioned, there are two heavy guns opposite Point Pleasant, and the same number opposite Riddle’s Point, below the latter.

A man who has just returned from that point, informs me that the rebels have collected some fifteen gunboats, prepared to dispute the passage of the Carondelet.  One of this is just visible in the distance, slowly poking her horns around the point, evidently intending to engage the Carondelet.

An express has just ridden post haste for Gen. Pope’s headquarters with some message of importance, the purport of which is not yet known, but probably relating to the passage of the Carondelet.

The smoke from the chimneys of the rebel transports is plainly discernable from any point of observation.

Things are working in this region, and you may be prepared to hear of stirring movements at any moment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 9, 1862, p. 1

The Latest from Fort Donelson

A TERRIBLE BATTLE PROGRESSING.

The Loss Sever on both Sides.

Our men Fight like Tigers.

THE REBELS HOIST THE BLACK FLAG.

CUMBERLAND RIVER,

NEAR FORT DONALSON [sic], Feb. 15.

The Chicago Tribune, to relieve the anxiety of the people, presents the following special to be sent in advance of publication:

Our firing commenced again at daybreak and continued at intervals all day long up to 4 o’clock.  No Movement or assault by the land force had been made.  Night before last an attempt was made by the rebels to take Taylor’s battery of light artillery, but they were repulsed by two regiments and driven back beyond their entrenchments.  Our loss in wounded is considerable but not more than 3 or 4 are dangerously wounded.

Six gunboats arrived yesterday and commenced an attack on the fort at 2 p.m.  The firing was very rapid and severe, and lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, when our gun boats fell back.

The four iron clad boats went within 300 yards of the Fort.

All of the river guns except six were either dismounted or silenced.  The first shot fired from the Louisville dismounted the rebels’ 128 pounder.  The Louisville received fifty-seven shots, two of which took effect, on striking the starboard side of her deck and passing through the length of the boat, and broke her tiller rope a short distance from the pilot house.  The rope was then managed by some of the hands, when a shell from the Taylor [sic], which lay some distance astern, burst over the Louisville, scattering the men at the tiller rope and so much disabled the steering tackle that the boat was compelled to drop astern.

One shot struck the Pittsburg in the bow and stove an immense hole in her, which caused her to withdraw out of action.  The leak however, has been stopped.

One shot struck the pilot house of the St. Louis, passing through it between the pilot’s legs without injuring him.  All of the boats were more or less injured, but none but the Louisville seriously.  There were 5 killed and two wounded on the Louisville.

The gunboats will not be in condition to renew their attack before to-morrow morning.  In consequence of the [height] of the bluffs on which their fortifications are built, our shot cannot have as much effect on them as those of Fort Henry; therefore it will require a much longer time to reduce this fort.

The rebels have raised the black flag.  It can be seen flying from the bank, a short distance above here.

CAMP IN THE FIELD, near Ft. Donelson,

Feb 15th, p.m.

The right wing of our forces commenced the storming of the right wing of Fort Donelson about noon, and have taken the right wing of the enemy’s fortification, over which the stars and stripes are now floating in triumph.  The opposing forces are now almost breast to breast, ready to open the work of death on each other almost at any moment.

We have lost two Lieut. Cols. Killed, one of whom is Lieut. Col. Smith, of the 48th Illinois and two Cols. Wounded.  The 18th regiment fought like tigers, and are [badly] cut up.  The loss on both sides is pretty severe.  More particulars soon.

Schwartz’s battery captured by the rebels this morning has been retaken.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 15.

Assistant Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott arrived here to-night from Cairo.  He reports that the fighting at Fort Donelson was suspended on both sides yesterday. – Our troops are suffering considerable from exposure, being unprovided with tents. – They are in excellent spirits, however, and are eager to resume the battle.

Dispatches to Gov. Yates, from the commanding officer at Cairo, state that the fort is completely invested, the enemy driven in from their outworks, and all chances for retreat or reinforcements cut off.

Col. Morrison is said to be severely, but not mortally wounded.

The success of the army is considered beyond the possibility of doubt.

The supposition at Cairo is, that Columbus will be attacked at once by land forces from below and by the river from above.

Gen. Grant is said to have at least 50,000 men under his command.

Several mortar boats are leaving Cairo daily.

Gen. Halleck telegraphs Gen. McClellan that the fort is completely invested – retreat form it and reinforcements to it being cut off.

Surrender or extermination appear to be the alternative.

Pillow, Floyd, Buckner and other noted rebels are in the fort.

Four Brigadier Generals are reported now in the Fort.  Gens. Pillow, Buckner, Floyd and Johnston [sic].

Altogether out loss to-day is about 250 in killed and wounded.  Capt. Mitchell of the 7th Ills. Was killed early in the morning.

Col. Ogelsby says, we came here to take that fort, and we do not intend to leave until we do it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 2

Incidents of the Taking of Ft. Donelson

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 16.

A special to the Democrat, dated in rear of Fort Donelson, Friday, says:

Last night was very severe on our troops, rain having set in, which turned to snow.  It is freezing to-day, and old citizens say they have rarely known such cold weather in this latitude.  The more I see of the fort the more convinced am I it cannot be reduced without a terrible battle.  The rear seems almost impregnable.  The outer works and bastions of the fort are located on ridges 150 to 200 feet high, covered with dense timber and undergrowth.  Upon a similar gorge of hills outside these our army is drawn up in line of battle, completely encircling the enemy from the Cumberland, south to the fort, to the backwater of a stream which flanks the fort to the north.

Considerable skirmishing occurred during the night, both forces endeavoring in the darkness to crowd in upon the other.  This morning it was discovered that the enemy had placed logs on the top of their breast works, leaving little spaces for them to shoot through, and much diminishing their risks from the unerring aim of our sharp shooters.

The casualties among our artillery thus far, were very small.  The loss of the enemy as far as can be ascertained, is considerable.

Yesterday afternoon, after the storming party had retired and when the rebels had been thickly crowded together to rebel the assault, Capt. Taylor opened on them with shell with terrible effect.  His practice was superb, creating the greatest consternation in the ranks and causing them to take refuge in their entrenchments.

The gun-boat assault was terrific, exceeding even the Fort Henry bombardment.  It lasted about an hour and a half.

The enemy has fronting on the river two batteries, the lower one of nine, and the upper of four guns, besides a 10-inch columbiad.

The wooden gunboats Tyler and Conestoga were engaged in the fight.  Com. Foot pronounces the engagement the hottest he ever witnessed.  Seven of the nine guns in the lower tier of the enemy’s battery had been silenced, and everything was apparently progressing favorably, when the rudder chain was severed.

The Pittsburgh was damaged in her wheel so as to be unable to stem the current, and the pilot house was knocked away, killing the pilot, and slightly wounding several others, among them Com. Foote.  The fleet were then obliged to retire.

One of our shells struck immediately under one of the enemy’s guns, throwing the gun and bodies of the gunners high in the air.  A great number of dead and wounded could be seen carried up the hill.

Com. Foote’s wounds are slight.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 1

By Telegraph

WASHINGTON, February 17.

Gen. McClellan has received a dispatch fully confirming the capture of Fort Donelson.

ST. LOUIS, February 17.

Dispatches from Gen. Grant to Gen. Halleck announce the surrender of Fort Donelson with 15,000 prisoners, including Johnston [sic], Pillow and Buckner.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 17.

Further official advices from Fort Donelson say Gen. Floyd escaped during the night with 5,000 men, and the rebels in the fort denounced him as a black hearted traitor and coward.

The enemy are known to have had thirty thousand troops, fifteen thousand of whom are our prisoners.  Five thousand escaped, and the balance are reported killed, wounded or otherwise disabled.

Our loss is not stated, but the slaughter in our ranks is mentioned as terribly severe.

Previous to the surrender our forces en route had most all arrived.

Gen. Halleck intended to leave to-day, but orders for preparations were countermanded on receipt of Fort Donelson dispatches.

The steamer John Warner left to-day with Gen. Hamilton, the 25th Mo. Regiment and 3d Mich. Battery, for the Tennessee river.

The greatest activity prevails at the Arsenal here, backing cartridges and loading shell for shipment down the river.

It is reported on high military authority that Gen. Curtis captured most of Price’s men after leaving Springfield, including his Chief Adjutant.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 17.

Fort Donelson surrendered at 9 o’clock yesterday morning to the land force.  The gun boats were present at the time.

An immense amount of war material is among the trophies of the victory.

Floyd skulked away the night before the surrender.

The gun boat Carondolet, Capt. Walker, arrived at Cairo with the news.

A large number of our wounded have been brought to the Paducah and Cairo Hospitals.

This city is wild with excitement and joy.  The news was received at the Union Merchants exchange, creating the most intense enthusiasm.  The Star Spangled Banner, the flag of our Union, and Red White and Blue were sung by all present, after which they adjourned and marched to the army headquarters, 120 to 150 strong, where three rousing cheers were given for Halleck and Foote.  Halleck appeared at the window and thanked the people for their hearty demonstrations and said: “I promised, when I came here, that with your aid I would drive the enemies of our flag from your State.  This has been done and they are virtually out of Kentucky and soon will be out of Tennessee.”

More cheers were given for the Union, the Star Spangled Banner was repeated, and the crowd dispersed.

Judge Holt wept for joy when he heard the news.  Many stores are closed, and the city is being decorated with flags, and evidences of great joy are everywhere manifest.

Gov. Yates, Sec. Hatch and Auditor Dubois, of Ills., left for Ft. Donelson this forenoon, to look after the wounded Illinois troops.

A requisition has been made for all the steamboats in this vicinity, to be held in readiness for the transportation of troops and Government stores.

ST. LOUIS, February 17.

The casualties on the gun-boats at Fort Donelson are as follows: St. Louis, 3 killed, including P. R. Riley of Cincinnati.  Two wounded, among them Lieut. Kendall, slightly.  Louisville, 5 sailors killed; 4 slightly wounded and 2 severely, each having both arms shot away.  Carondelet, 4 killed and 6 badly wounded, including Wm. Hunter.  Pilot, 2 severely.  Pittsburg, 2 wounded.

The force en route for Fort Donelson, had mostly come up and were located on the left.

Gen. Lew Wallace, with the 8th Missouri and 11th Indiana arrived Friday.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 1

Gun Boats Going Up Cumberland River

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 13.

The Democrat learns that Com. Foote, with the gun boats St. Louis, Louisville and Pittsburg, left Cairo for the Cumberland river at 10 o’clock on Tuesday night. The Carondelet was expected to join them at Paducah. In consequence of high water and unusually rapid current on all the rivers, the fleet is not expected to reach Fort Donelson till this morning, and as it was presumed the attack will not be made until there is complete readiness on the part of both land and naval forces, the news of the result cannot be expected before to-night or tomorrow morning.

The Republican of this morning states that Gen. Hitchcock has not yet accepted the appointment of Maj. Gen., but will respond when his commission is received.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 1

GEN. POPES REPORT

Operations at New Madrid and Island Number 10.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, New Madrid, Mo.
April 9, 1862.

Major General H W. HALLECK:

The canal across the peninsula opposite Island No. 10 – and for the idea of which I am indebted to Gen. Schuyler Hamilton – was completed by Col. Bissell’s engineer regiment, and four steamers were brought through on the night of the 6th. The heavy batteries I had thrown up below Tiptonville completely commanded the lowest point of the high ground on the Tennessee shore, entirely cutting off the enemy’s retreat by water; his retreat by land has never been possible through the swamps. On the night of the 4th Capt. Walke, of the navy, ran the enemies batteries at Island No. 10; with the gunboat Carondolet, and reported to me here. – On the night of the 6th the gunboat Pittsburg ran the blockade. Our transports were brought into the river from the bayou, where they had been kept concealed, at daylight on the seventh and Paine’s division loaded. The canal has been prodigiously laborious work. It was twelve miles long, six of which were through heavy timber which had to be sawed off by hand four feet under water.

The enemy has lined the opposite shore with batteries, extending from Island 10 to Tiptonville, Merriweather Landing, to prevent the passage of the river by this army.

I directed Capt. Walke to run down with the two gunboats at daylight on the 7th to the point selected for crossing, and silence the enemy’s batteries near it. He performed the service gallantly, and I hear bear testimony to the thorough and brilliant manner in which this officer discharged his difficult duties with me; and to the hearty and earnest zeal with which, at all hazards, he co-operated with me.

As soon as he signaled me, the boats containing Paine’s Division, moved out from the landing and began to cross the river. The passage of this wide, furious river, by our large force, was one of the most magnificent spectacles I ever witnessed. By twelve o’clock that night, the 7th, all the forces designed to cross the river were over, without delay or accident.

As soon as we began to cross, the enemy began to evacuate Island No. 10, and his batteries along the shore. The divisions were pushed forward to Tiptonville as fast as they landed, Paine’s leading. The enemy was driven before him, and although they made sever attempts to form in line of battle and make a stand, Paine did not once deploy his columns. The enemy was pushed all night vigorously, until at 4 o’clock A. M., he was driven back upon the swamps and forced to surrender. Three Generals, seven Colonels, seven regiments, several battalions of infantry, five companies of artillery, over one hundred heavy siege guns, twenty-four pieces of field artillery, an immense quantity of ammunition and supplies, several thousand stand of small arms, a great number of tents, horses, wagons, &c., &c., have fallen into our hands.

Before abandoning Island No. 10, the enemy sunk the gunboat Grampus, and six of his transports. These last I am raising, and expect to have ready for service in a few days. The famous floating battery was scuttled and turned afloat with all her guns aboard, she was captured and run aground in shoal water by our forces at Madrid.

Our success is complete and overwhelming. Our troops, as I expected, behaved gloriously. I will in my full report endeavor to do full justice to all. Brigadiers General Paine, Stanley and Hamilton, crossed the river and conducted their divisions with untiring activity and skill. I am especially indebted to them. Gen. Paine, fortunate in having the advance, exhibited unusual vigor and courage, and had the satisfaction to receive the surrender of the enemy. Of Col. Bissell of the Engineer regiment, I can hardly say too much. Full of resource, untiring and determined, he labored night and day, and completed a work which will be a monument of enterprise and skill.

We have crossed this great river with a large army, the banks of which were lined with batteries of the enemy to oppose our passage; have pursued and captured all his forces and material of war, and have not lost a man, nor met with an accident.

JOHN POPE, Major General

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Special Dispatch in the Chicago Tribune

Special Dispatch in the Chicago Tribune

Cairo, April 11, 1862

Gov. Yates arrived here this morning from Springfield, en route for Tennessee, to look after the wounded of the Illinois regiments. He was welcomed with a salute from Cairo.

The Ohio Belle came in this morning with an invoice of rebel prisoners from Island No. 10. The Ohio Bell is a secesh boat captured at the Island, and is the craft which, upon the day of the general bombardment, came around the point with rebel officers on board, reconnoitering, and was fired at by the Benton.

Cairo is filled with physician, nurses and civilians from Chicago, Springfield, Indiana and Iowa, all desirous of going up the Tennessee. The civilians will all be disappointed, as Gen. Halleck, before his departure yesterday, issued stringent orders against granting passes. The 17th Wisconsin regiment, a Chicago battery, and Coggswell’s Iowa battery arrived this morning from Benton Barracks, St. Louis.

Affairs are quiet at Island No. 10. The prisoners are rapidly being sent off. The Benton, St. Louis and Mound City are at the Island, and the Carondelet and Pittsburg at Mound City.

A large number of wounded were brought down from Pittsburg this morning to the Mound City Hospital.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

Caught In Their Own Trap

An incident that occurred to the rebel forces stationed in the shore batteries at Island No. 10, illustrates how easily, fortuitously, or perhaps we ought in this case to say providentially, an army may be caught in a position from which it is impossible to escape. About five thousand men were stationed in and [a]bout the shore batteries.

On Sunday night, as soon as they saw the Pittsburgh run the blockade in safety, and knowing that the transports to convey Gen. Pope’s forces across the Mississippi had been got thro [sic] the slough, and that very soon a strong force would be in their rear, they abandoned their camp and all its contents on Monday afternoon, and left for Tiptonville, only five miles below by land, but by the river, fifteen miles below New Madrid, hoping thence to escape by their transports. But on reaching the little town what was their surprise to find the gunboats Carondelet and Pittsburg moored to their shore. On the left was a swamp through which runs the outlet of Reelfoot lake; in the front were the gunboats; on the right was the Mississippi, and they found when too late, Gen. Paine, with a strong force, posted in their rear. The rebels were caught in a trap from which there was no possible escape. A bloodless victory, with two thousand prisoners, was the immediate result. Great numbers fled to the swamps, but were soon gland to surrender, raising the whole number of prisoners taken there, at the Island and other places, to near five thousand men. Thus what the rebels acknowledged to be the key of the Mississippi, a position strong by nature, and fortified with consummate skill and great expense, and defended by five thousand men, and a hundred and twenty-five cannon in battery, most of them very heavy, and numbers of them rifled, was taken, and the whole army captured by Com. Foote and Gen. Pope, without the loss of a single man. History will record it as taken all in all, the most wonderful and brilliant achievement of the war.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862 & also in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday April 17, 1862