General Pope's Report

hXl'LDinONARY l'OBCEH, ï New UiDEID, Mu., April 'J, 1362. ƒ Major Onr.il [I. W. H;iUeck : The canal across the península opposite Island No. 10- und for the idea of which I am indcbt'jd to Goneral 8chuyler Hmnilton - was completed by Col. Bissell's Brbgíneer Regiment, and four steamois vvero brought through on the night of' the ü;h. Tiio heavy batterios I hml thruwn up below Tipton ville coinplet'.;ly commanded tha lowest point ot the high grbuad on the Tennessee shore, entirely cuüing off the enemy's retreat by water; his retreat by lund has never been possible through the swamp. On tho night of the 4th, Captain Walke, of the navy, ran the enemy's batteries at Island No. 10 vvith the gunboat Caroudelet, and reported to me here. On the night of the (ith the gunboat Pittsburg also ran the blockade. Our transports were brought into the river from the bayou, where they had been kept concealed, itt dayiight on the 7th, and Paino'a división loaded. - The canal ha beun a prodigiously laborious vork. It wat tivelve mijea lo'ng, sis niilus of which were through heavy timber wbiqfa had to bo sa wed off by hand four feet under water. Tlie eoeray had lined the opposite ahore uith bfttteriee, extending from Island No. 10 to Tiptonville, Merriweather tanding, to prevent the passage of the river by the army. I directod Capt. Walko to run down with the two gunbi.ats at dayiight on the 7th to the point selocted lor crcssing, and silence the enemy's batteries near it. . He pertormed the service gal lantly, and I here bear testimony to the thorough and briiliant manner in which this officier discharged his difficult duties with me, and to tho hearLv and earnest zealfwitfa which, at all bazarda, he co-aperated with me. As soon as ho signaled me, the boats containiog Paine's división 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 magnificL'.it spoctacles I ever witnessecj. By 12 o'clook that night, the 7th, all the forcos designed to cross the river wero over, without delay or accident. As soon as we commenced to cross, the enemy began to evacúate Island No. 10 hüd his bttnevies along the shore. The divisious were pushed forward to Tiptonviüa as fast as they landed, Paine's leading. The eDemy was driven beforo bim, and, altítoogh they raade several attetnptt to form in lino of battlo and make a stand, Paine did not oneer depluy his columns. The enemy was pushed all night vigorously, until at 4 o'clock A. M. he was driven back upon the swatnps and forced to suvronaer. Throo Gonorals, soven Colonels, sevon regirúeota, eeveral battalions of infantry, five companies oí artiiióry, over onc hundred heavy siege guns, twontylour pieces of lield artillery, an irnmonse quantity oí ammutiition and supplies, several thousand stand of small anns, a graat uumbur oí tauts, horses, wagons, etc., ote, flavo fallen into our handa. Before abandoning Island No. 10, the encmy sunk the gunboat Grampus and six of his transporte. These last I atn raisiusi, and expect to have ready f'or service m a few days. Tho famous flontipg battery was scuttlod and turncd adrift with all horgLias aboard; she was captured and run agronnd in shoal water by oor forcea at New Madrid. Our succens is complete and overwhelming. Our troops, as I expoctod, behaved gloriously. I wil! in my full report eodëavor to do full justice to all. Brigadier Generala Paine,' Sianloy and H&milten oroesed tho river and conducted their divisions with untiring activity and skill. I am especially indobted to thern. Gen. Paine, fortúnate in having the advanco, exhibited unusual vigor and courage, and liad the satisfaotion to reccive tho surrouder ot the enemy. Of Col. Bissoll, of tho Enginoer Regiment, I can hardly say too inuch. Full of resources, untiring and determined, he labored nieht and day, and completed a work which will ba a monument of enterprise and ekill. We have crossed the great river, with alargo army, the banks of which were lined with batteries of the enemy to opposo our passage ; have pursued and captured all his forcea and material of war, and havo not lost a man, noi mot an accident.