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[242] and the batteries on the Kentucky shore opposite. All day long the bombardment was kept up, and vigorous responses were made, with very little injury to either party.1

Meanwhile a battery of the Second Illinois artillery was landed on the Missouri shore, in a position to assail the Confederate fleet near the island.

Island number10 and its defenses.2

This battery was active and effectual, and did excellent service the next day, when a most deadly attack was made on the Confederate works, after meridian, by a floating battery of ten guns, formed of the gun-boats Cincinnati, Benton, and St. Louis, lashed side by side, followed by the Carondelet, Pittsburg, and Mound City. They went nearer to the works, and pounded them severely. Heavy blows were given in return, and the second day of. the siege was as barren of decisive results as the first. β€œIsland number10,” said Commodore Foote to the Secretary of the Navy,

March 19, 1862.
β€œis harder to conquer than Columbus, as the island ”

1 During the bombardment of this day, Commodore Foote was informed of the death, at New Haven, Connecticut, of his second son, a promising boy thirteen years of age. It was so unexpected that, for a moment, the brave warrior was overcome. He soon rallied, and pushed on the combat with great vigor, making private sorrow subordinate to public duty.

2 the figures on this map denote the numbers of the batteries, as given by the Confederates. It will be seen that the channel of the river was completely covered by them at the approaches of the Island from above.

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