James D. Porter, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.1, Tennessee
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[30] its maintenance and defense important, on the 15th of March he approved the projected evacuation. General McCown, in reporting the result to him, said: ‘The principal object I had in holding New Madrid was to possess a landing for reinforcements to fight the enemy should I receive them.’

Dr. W. S. Ball, medical director, Captain West, provost marshal, Lieutenant Robinson of Upton's battery, and one man were killed; Capt. William D. Hallum, of the Fifth Tennessee, and eight men were wounded. Hallum received a fearful wound, the ball passing through his neck, and was reported by McCown as killed, but he recovered in a short time, served throughout the war, and made an honorable record.

McCown, with his troops, transports, and Hollins' fleet, fell back to Tiptonville, on the Tennessee side of the river. General Stewart with his brigade was forwarded to Corinth and participated conspicuously in the battle of Shiloh.

Meanwhile, on the 17th of March, the Federal gunboats had made a vigorous attack without effect at Island No.10, the fire being principally directed at the battery commanded by Captain Rucker, who returned it, the action continuing during the day. McCown, pursuant to orders, turned the command over to Brig.-Gen. L. M. Walker, just promoted. On the 19th he was ordered to return to Madrid Bend. On the 31st he relinquished command, under orders, to Brig.-Gen. W. W. Mackall. General Mackall found himself in command of 2,273 infantry, rank and file, with 58 heavy guns, ten 8-inch columbiads, the balance 32-pounders. Five batteries were upon the mainland and three upon Island No.10. The infantry force consisted of the Fifty-fifth Tennessee, Col. A. J. Brown, with 50 unarmed men; the Eleventh Arkansas, Colonel Smith, armed with every variety of sporting guns; the Forty-sixth Tennessee, Col. John M. Clark, with 560 armed men out of a total of 400 present