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The
Mississippi Campaigns:
Battle of Island No. 10 and New Madrid March-April, 1862 |
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"Because of the s-shape of the river it was possible for Pope to dig a canal to cut off the flow of the river from Island No. 10, and redirect it to New Madrid."
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Island No. 10 and
New Madrid were the northernmost Confederate forts on the Mississippi, and
therefore were the first step in the Union's elaborate plan of gaining control
of the Confederacy. The twin forts were about 60 miles south of Columbus,
Ohio. They were well protected--Fort No. 10 had 52 guns.
Because of the s-shape of the river it was possible for Pope to dig a canal to cut off the flow of the river from #10, and redirect it to New Madrid. However, by the time the canal was finished the forts were already under Union control due to the Union raids and abilities to slip past the forts at night. Meanwhile, Foote was in the process of sending Captian Henry Walke in the Crondelet past #10 to New Madrid in order to take the forts. At midnight on April 3rd the crondelet docked at New Madrid. The next night the Pittsburgh joined the Crondelet and the two boats attacked Watson's Landing to provide covering fire for transportation of Pope's men from No. 10 to New Madrid. |
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Center
for Global Environmental Education |
Eventually
on March 17, 1862. Foote (right) agreed to send three of his vessels,
The Cincinnati, the St Louis, and the Benton to attack Island No.10 at
close range. Little damage was done to either side. After this encounter
Foote decided to keep his fleet at long range. 