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Cape Girardeau battle,
Island #10 battle,
Charleston Mo.
Les
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Cape Girardeau, MO.,
April 26, 1863.
Marmaduke's Missouri Expedition.
On the morning of the 24th scouts brought the word to Cape
Girardeau that Gen. Marmaduke was approaching with a force of
about 8,000 men. The garrison there at that time consisted of
350 men of the 1st Neb. infantry, one company of the 1st Wis.
Cavalry, Battery D, 2nd Mo. and Welfley's battery. That
evening Brig.-Gen. John McNeil arrived with reinforcements, and
assumed Command.
Col. Baumer, commanding the garrison, had made preparations to
meet the advancing enemy outside the works and when overpowered
to fall back to fort B, thence to fort A, which was strong
enough to withstand almost any attack that could be made.
McNeil approved this plan and accordingly two companies of the
1st Neb., Three of the 32nd IA.,and 2 guns of Welfley's battery
were stationed on the Perryville road north of the fort; five
companies of the Nebraska regiment, with 4 guns of Welfley's
battery, were placed on A Hill between the Bloomfield and
Jackson Roads commanding all approaches from the West.
The main attack was made about 1O a. m. on the 26th on the
Jackson Road. The enemy was checked by the fire of the pickets
who in obedience to orders, immediately fell back upon the
skirmish line. The battery on the Perryville road opened then
the guns on the Hill and finally the guns from fort B. The
position of the different batteries subjected the enemy to A
Cross-Fire of artillery, so well directed that to advance in
the face of it was impossible.
They then tried to attack the Union right flank on the
Perryville road, when Baumer hurried 2 pieces of artillery to A
Hill commanding the ground over which they must pass opened a
destructive fire and checked that movement. The Confederates
then turned their attention to the left flank, where the
Wisconsin troops dismounted and fought the enemy on foot, while
a battery of mountain howitzers did excellent service in
dislodging a battery of the enemy's.
The enemy now fell back all along the line, but the Federals
remained in position, momentarily expecting another attack.
Cannonading was continued from the Hill and fort B until 3 p.
m., when small detachments, sent out for the purpose, reported
that the Confederates had disappeared. Meantime Gen. Curtis
Sent down two steamers from St. Louis with reinforcements and
McNeil, expecting another attack next Day, called on Gen.
Asboth at Columbus, KY., for two regiments of infantry and a
field battery, which were sent to him on the morning of the
27th, but the Confederates made no further attempt on the
Place.
Confederates made no further attempt on the Place
Source: The Union Army
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New Madrid, Missouri
February 28 - April 8, 1862.
New Madrid, MO., Feb. 28 to April 8, 1862. Army of the
Mississippi and Foote's Fleet Gunboats. Immediately upon the
fall of Fort Donelson Confederate Gen. Polk was ordered to
evacuate Columbus and fall back down the river to the works on
Island No. 10 and at New Madrid, MO., the former 25 and the
latter 35 Miles Below Columbus. This move was part of the plan
to retreat down the river step by step, thus preventing Foote
from joining Farragut's fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi.
Earthworks mounting 70 heavy guns had been constructed on the
island, and at New Madrid Two Forts had been erected. The one
about half a mile below the town was a bastioned earthwork,
with 14 heavy siege guns, and the other, at the upper end of
the town, was an irregular entrenchment, sheltering a battery
of 7 guns of various caliber. About the middle of February
Brig.-Gen. John Pope was summoned to St. Louis and directed to
organize and take command of a force to cooperate with Commo-
Dore Foote's fleet in the reduction of these fortifications.
Pope went to work and in a few days had the Army of the Missis-
sippi ready to move against the enemy. This army was made up
as follows: Infantry,- 1st division, Brig.-Gen. David S. Stan-
Ley, consisted of the brigades of Cols. John Groesbeck and J.
L. Kirby Smith; 2nd division, Brig.-Gen. Schuyler Hamilton, in-
cluded the brigades of Col. W. H. Worthington and Col. Nicholas
Perczel; 3d division, Brig.-Gen. John M. Palmer, included the
brigades of Col. James R. Slack and Col. G. N. Fitch; 4th
division, Brig.-Gen. E. A. Paine, consisted of the brigades of
Cols. James D. Morgan and G. W. Cumming; 5th division, Brig.-
Gen. J. B. Plummer, included the brigades of Cols. John Bryner
and J. M. Loomis. Cavalry,-one division, commanded by Col.
Gordon Granger. Artillery,-seven batteries under command of
Maj. W. L. Lothrop. The infantry brigades consisted of two
regiments each, and the cavalry division of three regiments.
There were also some organizations that were not assigned to
any particular command. Notable among these were the 64th Ill.
Sharpshooters and the engineer regiment of the West. In Addi-
tion to these land forces there were the Flotilla brigade com-
manded by Col. N. B. Buford; the gunboats Benton (Flag-Ship),
St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Mound City and Carondelet,
under command of Commodore A. H. Foote, and 11 mortar-boats in
charge of Capt. H. E Maynadier. The Confederate forces, com-
manded by Maj.-Gen. John P. McCown, consisted of twelve Regi-
Ments and three battalions of infantry, four companies of cav-
alry; eight companies of heavy artillery; two light batteries;
the engineer corps, and a company of sappers and miners. The
Confederate gunboats, commanded by Flag-Officer G. N. Hollins,
were the McRae (flagship), Livingston, Polk, Pontchartrain,
Maurepas, Jackson and New Orleans.
Pope selected Commerce, 30 Miles up the Mississippi from
Cairo as a base of operations. Here his command was assembled
and organized, and on the Last Day of February the army took up
its march against New Madrid, which was to be first attacked,
as possession of this point would give the Union forces control
of the river below Island No. 10, thus cutting the principal
line of supplies for the island garrison. On March 1 Jeff.
Thompson's body of Confederates were driven out of Sikeston,
and two days later Pope appeared before New Madrid. Hamilton,
whose division was in advance, deployed the 27th and 39th Ohio
as skirmishers, drove the enemy's pickets back into the works
and occupied the Town. Hollins came up with the gunboats and
participated in the action, the water in the river being high
enough to bring his guns above the bank. This condition of af-
fairs showed the neccessity of having siege-guns to repel the
fleet after the entrenchments might be carried by assault,
which Hamilton's reconnaissance had shown to be feasible. The
army therefore retired about 2 Miles from the town and went
into camp to wait until the heavy guns could be brought down
from Cairo. While Waiting Pope Sent Plummer, with Three Regi-
Ments of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and a battery of
10-Pounder rifled and Parrott Guns, to Point Pleasant, 12 Miles
Below, Under instructions to establish his artillery in such a
position as to cover any steamboat that might try to ascend the
river, and to line the Banks with rifle-pits for 1,000 Men.
Plummer moved on the 5th and the morning of the 7th found his
guns in position, well protected by works thrown up during the
night. The gun-boats shelled him for some time without effect,
and Plummer Held to his position during the entire siege. On
the 12th the siege-guns arrived and during the night were
placed in battery within 800 yards of the main Confederate
work. At daylight the next morning fire was opened on the
fort. The enemy's batteries and gunboats answered promptly and
the cannonading lasted all Day by the enemy, but without pro-
ducing any impression on the Federals, except the disabling of
a 24-Pounder Gun. A little while after daylight on the morning
of the 14th a flag of truce approached the Union lines, the
bearer bringing the information that the enemy had evacuated
his works during the Night. Hamilton Sent A detachment to as-
certain the truth of this statement and to take possession if
it turned out to be true. On every hand could be Seen Evi-
Dences of a hasty departure. Their dead were left unburied,
food on the tables appeared to be untouched; private baggage of
the officers was left behind, and neither provisions nor ammu-
nition had been taken away. Tents for 10,000 Men, A Large Num-
Ber of horses and mules, 33 pieces of artillery, several thou-
sand muskets and A Large Number of cartridges fell into the
hands of the Federals. The fort was occupied in force, the
guns being turned on the River.
New Madrid had been captured more easily than had been an-
ticipated, but there still remained a way for the garrison on
Island No. 10 to receive supplies from below. The river from
Island No. 8 to Tiptonville, Tenn., forms a letter S. Island
No. 10 is in the southern bend and New Madrid on the northern.
Although Tiptonville is 27 Miles from the island by water it is
only 5 Miles by land. After the fall of New Madrid Boats
landed at Tiptonville, whence supplies were conveyed across the
narrow neck of the peninsula. Just below Tiptonville the Banks
of the river on both sides become so marshy as to be impassable
for loaded wagons. By intercepting the navigation of the river
at the lowest point of solid ground, Pope could cut off the re-
sources of the garrison and also close the principal avenue of
escape. He therefore extended his line down the river, his
lowest battery being just below the little village of Riddles
Point, which is nearly opposite Tiptonville. This battery was
established on the night of the 16th and mounted two 24-Pounder
Siege-Guns and two 10-Pounder Parrotts, supported by Palmer's
division. Rifle-pits for 500 sharpshooters were dug on the
flanks of the battery and close to the river bank. The battery
was discovered at daylight on the 17th and was immediately
assailed by 5 of the enemy's gunboats, which ran up to within
300 yards and opened a fierce cannonade. The fight lasted for
an hour and a half, in which time one gunboat was sunk, others
badly damaged, and A Number of men were picked off by the
sharpshooters. The Union loss was 1 man killed. That Night
McCown, with a considerable portion of the forces, left for
Fort Pillow, Gen. W. W. MacKall succeeding him in command.
Pope was now in full possession of the right bank of the
river, and the river itself, both above and below the island,
but in order to effect the capture of the garrison it was nec-
Essary to Cross the river. To Cross above the island was use-
less, as the country there was under water, the only dry ground
being the narrow neck on the south, between the enemy's works
and Tiptonville. On the 17th Pope suggested to Foote that he
run the batteries with his gunboats and transfer the land
forces to the Tennessee Side. Foote replied that it was im-
practicable, as the vessels were armored only at the bows, and
were consequently fitted for fighting up Stream. Hamilton Sug-
gested a canal from near Island No. 8 to connect with Wilson's
Bayou which entered the Mississippi Just above New Madrid.
Col. Bissell, of the engineer regiment, reported this Plan Fea-
Sible, and Pope sent to Cairo for the necessary tools and light
draft steamers to convey his command across the river. The CA-
Nal was about 12 Miles Long and for half its length ran through
heavy timber the trees having to be sawed off several feet un-
der water. It was completed on April 4, the water continuing
at a high stage all the time it was under construction. and on
the 5th, 4 small steamers, bringing A Number of barges for
floating batteries, dropped down the Bayou to New Madrid, but
kept out of sight of the river until the floating batteries, or
mortar boats, were ready. On the night of the 4th the Caronde-
let ran the batteries on the island, and the Pittsburg followed
on the night of the 6th. That Day the Carondelet made a recon-
naissance down the river, silenced the batteries opposite Point
Pleasant, a small infantry force going ashore and Spiking the
guns. During this period of three weeks daily bombardments
occurred at some point in the field of operations. As the en-
emy's gunboats passed Plummer's batteries at Point Pleasant
shots were exchanged. On March 16 Foote engaged at Long Range
the batteries on Island No. 10 and the left bank of the river.
The next Day he advanced a little nearer and kept up the Bom-
bardment until the Redan at the upper end of the island was
practically destroyed. The cannonading was then continued from
Day to Day, Keeping the enemy busy in repairing damages and
changing the position of his guns.
Early on the morning of April 7, Capt. Williams' 1st U. S.
battery and the 2 gunboats opened on the enemy's works at the
proposed Landing Place and continued until noon, when the Con-
federate guns were silenced. Paine's division was then sent
over and pushed with all possible speed toward Tiptonville,
word having been brought in by a spy that the enemy was re-
treating in that direction. Morgan's brigade occupied the town
that evening, and during the night over 300 prisoners were
brought in by the pickets of this brigade. Stanley's and
Hamilton's divisions followed Paine's, but were overtaken by
darkness and bivouacked A Few Miles from Tiptonville. Col.
Elliott, with the 2nd IA. Cavalry, was sent over soon after
dark and at daylight on the 8th took possession of the enemy's
encampments on the mainland opposite the island, together with
the deserted stores, all the steamboats in good condition, 6 in
Number, and about 200 prisoners. Before Elliott accomplished
this the force left on the island 385 officers and men, was
surrendered to Foote. When MacKall Found that Morgan was in
the way at Tiptonville, and that the island was in possession
of the Federals, he surrendered at discretion. Pope says in
his report: "Three generals, 273 field and company officers,
6.700 privates, 123 pieces of heavy artillery 35 pieces of
field artillery (all of the very best character and latest Pat-
Terns), 7,000 stands of small arms, tents for 12,000 men, sev-
Eral Wharf-Boat Loads of provisions, an immense quantity of am-
munition of all kinds, many hundred horses and mules, with Wag-
Ons and harness, etc., are among the spoils." For a movement
of such magnitude the losses in killed and wounded were very
slight. On the Union side, including the two killed and 13
wounded by the bursting of a gun on the St. Louis, the total
was 17 killed, 34 wounded and 3 missing. The Confederate loss
was estimated at about 30.
Source: The Union army,
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Charleston, MO.,
Aug. 19, 1861.
Detachment of the 22nd Illinois Infantry.
Col. Dougherty, commanding the regiment, which was stationed at
Bird's Point, took 250 men and went by train over the Cairo &
Fulton railroad to Charleston, where a force of Confederate
infantry and cavalry belonging to the Missouri State troops was
stationed.
When near the city the troops were divided into two parties,
one commanded by Dougherty in person and the other by Lieut.-
Col. Hart. About 100 yards from the public square the cavalry,
numbering about 200, was drawn up to dispute the further
progress of the Federals. One volley was sufficient to drive
them into a convenient Cornfield.
Dougherty then ordered the men forward at the double-quick to
the public square, where the main body of the infantry was
encountered. The enemy took shelter behind the houses and
poured a heavy fire on the Union troops, who stood like
veterans and answered shot for shot.
In the meantime the cavalry had been rallied and attacked Hart,
who faced his men both ways and finally succeeded in dispersing
them. Col. J. H. Hunter, commanding the Confederates, then
beat a precipitate retreat and was afterward placed under
arrest, charged with ignorance and cowardice.
The Union loss was 1 man killed and 7 wounded, among whom was
Col. Dougherty. The loss of the enemy was not learned, but it
must have been considerable.
Source: The Union Army
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