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with which he maintained himself and the blockade of the river for days, under a heavy fire of the enemy.
Capt. Mower, first United States infantry, who, with two companies of his regiment, (A and H,) had charge of the batteries and served the guns, I desire to present to your special notice.
A more gallant and efficient officer is not to be found with this command, and his eminent services during the reduction of this place, entitle him to special notice.
Col. J. W. Bissell, engineer regiment, rendered me most valuable service, both before and during the bombardment of the place.
He conducted the erection of the heavy batteries, and remained in them until the enemy evacuated the place.
Major Lothrop, Chief of Artillery, has distinguished himself throughout the operations.
My personal staff, Major Butler, Assistant Adjutant-General, Major C. A. Morgan, and Capt. L. H. Marshall, Aids-de-Camp, and Major Corse, Inspector-General, were prompt and efficient in conveying my orders under fire of the enemy.
I transmit, enclosed, the reports of division and brigade commanders immediately concerned in the final operations, as also of Capt. Mower, commanding in the batteries, and of Major Lothrop, Chief of Artillery. Col. J. W. Bissell, Engineers, has been too incessantly occupied to make a written report, but desires to mention the following officers of this regiment who displayed unusual gallantry:
Lieut.-Col. Adams, Captains Dean, Hill, and Tweeddale, and Lieuts. Odenbaugh, Randolph, and Besier.
Our whole loss during the operation was fifty-one killed and wounded. A detailed list will be transmitted as soon as it can be made.
The enemy's loss cannot be ascertained.
A number of his dead were left unburied, and over a hundred new graves attested that he must have suffered severely.
I am, General, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
John Pope, Brigadier-General Commanding. Brig.-Gen. G. W. Cullum, Chief of Staff and of Engineers, Department of the Mississippi, St. Louis.
Correspondence between General Pope and rebel officers.
headquarters District of the Mississippi, New-Madrid, March 17, 1862.
Captain: I transmit the enclosed correspondence between Major-General McCown, commanding confederate forces, and myself, for the information of the General commanding the department.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, John Pope, Brigadier-General Commanding. Capt. A. H. Mclean, Assistant Adjutant-General Department of the Mississippi.
headquarters Madrid Bend, March 17, 1862.
General: I have many sick.
Humanity demands that they should be placed where they can receive treatment away from the conflict of arms.
Dr. Yandall, Medical Director, is commissioned to propose measures for their relief.
Your obedient servant, J. P. Mccown, Major-General Commanding Confederate Forces.
You will please repair to the upper redoubt and ascertain from Dr. Yandall, who brought me the enclosed letter, what measures he proposes in regard to the sick, and obtain from him such other information as will enable me to act understandingly.
Respectfully, General, your obedient servant,
John Pope, Brigadier-General Commanding.
New-Madrid, March 17, 1862.
At my request General McCown allowed me to take the present step for the purpose of removing some of our sick from Madrid Bend.
I wish only to remove those who are too sick to bear transportation by wagon, and also, if it be allowed, to remove the women and children from Madrid Bend.
No army stores or private property will be carried on the boat, save provisions for the persons on board.
Madrid Bend is the same port as Island No.10. Sanford P. Yandall, Jr., Medical Director Gen. McCown's Division, C. S.A.
headquarters United States forces, New-Madrid, March 17, 1862.
sir: Your note of this date, sent through Dr. Yandall, is before me. It is proposed to me that the sick of your command be permitted to pass down on the river to some place of safety.
This seems to me a singular request under the circumstances.
After a successful reduction of this place for the simple purpose of blockading the river, I am asked to suspend the blockade in order that you may disembarrass yourself of the sick and disabled of your command during an attack which you must have anticipated long enough to remove them in advance.
I do riot feel justified in acceding to your request, as I do not propose to suspend the blockade under any circumstances, until the operations above me are concluded.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. J. Kirby Smith's report.
headquarters Second brigade, First division, army of the Mississippi, camp near New-Madrid, Mo., March 15, 1862.
General: In compliance with your instructions, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Second brigade of your division, under my command, in the action of the day before yesterday, (thirteenth instant.)
The brigade reached a point in front of the enemy's lower fort, and within supporting distance of our siege-batteries, a little after daylight, and was then placed in position, the Forty-third Ohio in the read leading west from the town, and the Sixty-third in the lane by which we marched to the position.