IPP'T^^vT^f^^^'O^^T^^f^ ■ 



1862. 



THE ILLUSOIS FAEMEE. 



HI- 



arrived two miles above the upper batteries of 

 the rebels, planted on the Kentucky side of the 

 river. An immense number of tents lined the 

 shore for nearly a mile and a half, while the 

 island was almost entirely covered with the white 

 dwellings of the soldiers. Batteries along the 

 main land in the semi-arch, formed by the bend 

 of the river and on the island, showed the dogs 

 of war, frowning with their dark shadows over the 

 well made battle works. Here then is the Gib- 

 ralter of the west, the gate that must be opened 

 to permit this fleet to reach the waters of the 

 gulf. Eighty cannon of the largest calibre, with 

 several gun boats, backed with an army of twenty 

 thousand well armed soldiers are to try the for- 

 tunes of war, with less than four thousand that 

 compose the force to attack them. 



The Commodore has decided that no rash at- 

 tempt should be made on this stronghold, but 

 that with the large mortars and long range rifle 

 cannon, he will reduce their works one by one. 

 This will, of course, occupy some days, but in 

 the saving of the life of our men, make a full 

 compensation. 



During the afternoon, the Benton dropped 

 down to reconno'ter the rebel position, and threw 

 forty-three nine inch shell at the upper rebel 

 battery, while they obtained three shots in reply. 



During the afternoon, the mortars commenced 

 their practice, and threw thirty-two thirteen 

 inch shell into the several camps and batteries, 

 by way of feelers. 



The weather was cold with a drizzling rain, in 

 keeping with the place. The river, which for 

 several miles has a south course, here takes a 

 sudden turn to the north west, and a half a mile 

 below the point of land that forms what is called 

 Point Donaldson, is the head of Island No. 10, 

 and not as is represented on the maps in the 

 bight of the point. Opposite the island on 

 both shores land is cleared and cultivated, and 

 there is one farm on the island. On the Missouri 

 side there are four families. The one farthest 

 from the batteris and out of the reach of rebel 

 guns and above the track of our mortar shell 

 remains ; the others left so suddenly that they 

 took nothing but their wearing apparel with 

 them. Some two hundred half grown hogs, and 

 a few head of cattle were left to take care of 

 themselves The hogs and pigs are being put to 

 use, the chickens have ceased to crow, and some 

 thoughtful soldier pulled down the corner of a 

 corn crib to give the starving cattle a chance to 

 live. The houses are of logs, and possess few 



luxuries. The nearest approach to this wMcIl 

 we saw, was a cottage bedstead, worth some six 

 dollars, and a large looking glass of about three 

 d3llars ; these made a strong contrast with the 

 rough interior and rude comforts of the house. 

 The only school house that we saw after leaving 

 CairO; except at Columbus and Hickman, was a 

 few miles below the latter place on the Kentucky ; 

 side, and near this were thrt»e men, the only 

 ones that made their appearance. We doubt not 

 that a Union sentiment yet lingers in thai neigh- 

 borhood, for country school houses in I secession 

 can never go together. Nothing like a newspa- 

 per or books were to be seen in the deserted 

 houses, nor do we think one of the inmates could 

 read them if there had been. New Madrid, dis. 

 rtant two miles, is their place of market and gen- 

 eral headquarters for news. 



These river families must lead a miserable life, 

 subject to annual overflows, when tLeir stock of 

 hogs and few head of cattle are often swept into 

 the stream; and around them for miles, nothing 

 but the wild sweeping current, surging through 

 the interminable forest of cottonwood, sycamore 

 and water oak, and holding them close prisoners 

 for weeks. No school houses, no mails except at 

 the large towns ; no newspap: rs — education to 

 them is a hidden mystery, which they have not 

 the ambition to unlock, to partake of its wealth. 

 Isolated from the world, they live in lazy ease, 

 hunting, fishing, and occasionally cutting a few 

 cords of cottonwood for the steamboats, to ex- 

 change for whisky and other needed articles 

 As this river soil will not produce pasturage 

 milk and butter is almost out of the question. 

 The cattle are a miserable, scrawny breed, and 

 the hogs of the long-legged kinl. A hog that 

 weighs two hundred pounds is consider^ d large. 

 The soil is excellent for corn of which they grow 

 good crops, but from their indolent habi's, the 

 fields are small. On one of thet^e farms is abont 

 two thousand bushels, and on auother about half 

 that amount. The third farmer had sent all his 

 corn south, and just received in return a hogs- 

 head of sugar and several barrels of molasses. 

 These formed a rich treat to the sailors and sold- 

 iers who took charge of them. We were told by 

 a farmer, who resided some three miles down the 

 river, and whose married daughter was the only 

 female housekeeper remaining here, that these 

 four farms were the most desirable and valuable 

 of any for a long distance up or down the river, 

 andtheir owners the most well to do. If this is 

 so, we have no desire to divide the comforts and 

 luxuries with these river farmers for any length 



