March 14, 1862 (Friday): Island Number 10 Evacuated

Island Number 10

HEADQUARTERS MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT,
Near New Madrid, March 14, 1862.
Major-General HALLECK:
    To my utter amazement the enemy hurriedly evacuated the place last night, leaving everything. They were landed in the woods opposite and dispersed. Thy have been landing troops here ever since we arrived, and I am sure almost that they have withdrawn all their troops from Island Numbers 10. I can send you the cavalry for Steele, but would prefer to send other regiments. Please inform me as to your wishes about my further operations. I shall reconnoiter island Numbers 10 to-day.


JNO. POPE,
Brigadier-General.


Official Records, Series I., Vol. 8, Part 1, Page 118.


Pope had arrived at New Madrid on March 3 prepared for a seige.  With 50 heavy guns and a small fleet of gunboats, the Confederates commanded the Mississippi River.  But after just one day's bombardment  John Porter McCown, the Confederate commander, withhdrew from New Madrid to Island No. 10, a ten mile long and three mile wide peninsula.  The island got its name from being the 10th island south of where the Mississippi meets the Ohio.  McCown's command was safely removed, but he lost many of his heavy guns.  He had not, as Pope supposed, abandoned the island.  For moving from New Madrid to the island, McCown was relieved and succeeded by William Mackall.