and

ing these guns upon siege carriages similar to the 24-pound-half way; rifle pits and reers, the weight of the guns being about the same. dans on west side

into the Lake.

intended, as the

known, and Isl

Our intrenchments are not completed at this point, and of the bayou to the delta, through unless we have the assistance I have asked for, and which which it empties I suppose could be easily supplied from Memphis or Fort The parapet was Pillow, I fear this all-important work will not be accom- never finished as plished in time to be of use. In a very short time now it guns to be placed will be necessary to gather in the crops, and our farmers in it were not in the bend must need their hands. We have not had over and No. 10 virtueighty negroes at work, and no similar force and facilities ally, as regards the regular deat my command could have done more than they have done. fenses, abandonSo you will readily perceive the impossibility of finishing the fortifications at an early day, unless I could have for This force ten or fifteen days some 500 hands from Fort Pillow, where would have completed the work I learned 2,000 are at work. I have no boat either, which to the lake and is essential to a rapid construction of the batteries at Island the batteries at No. 10. The Mohawk, placed under my orders for topo- After the river graphical service, was taken off some time ago for other falls now it will duty by orders from your department.

ed.

Island No. 10.

take longer, as the soft bottoms drift-wood

Since I have seen Columbus I have not lessened my opin-about the trees ion, previously given to the commanding general, of its and works will strong natural facilities for defense; but further examina- be against us. tions have strengthened my belief in the great importance of Island No. 10, in connection with a line of defense including New Madrid and Union City, as a powerful base of operations against the enemy.

been misinform

this to be cor

I have been put to serious inconvenience by an order causing suddenly my assistant, Mr. Rowley, and my clerk, Mr. Miller, who had charge of my commissary stores and papers, to be taken away from this point. The command- The commanding general must have been misled by a misapprehension ing general had of facts in some way. Mr. Miller was a civilian, appointed ed, and ordered by me as a clerk to attend to my commissary matters, and rected immedf he was in no way an army officer. I had attentively taught ately. Lieutenant Rowley and Mr. Miller to assist me in systematically conducting the important duties confided to me, and their sudden withdrawal, without an hour's notice, has not only inconvenienced me, but been really detrimental to the service.

Lieutenant Snowden is sick and cannot be exposed to the labors of an assistant probably for some time. He is to-day wholly disabled by fever. I feel sure had the general known of the circumstances I have related he would not have ordered them away at so necessary a period in the progress of this work unless on some imperative occasion. I will send you, captain, in a day or two a sketch of this section of country, exhibiting the situation of our works, if I can possibly secure time from my other labors.

In the mean time, if you can lay before the commanding general the necessity, in my opinion, of more speedy movement in the works here I shall be better satisfied. I shall be better satisfied that we will be upon a much safer basis to meet the enemy under any circumstances that may arise. If he will give me an order for 500 negroes from Fort Pillow and send me a small steamer, with authority to get

Before an opnext day to send portunity the

this letter a map was made and in

closed.

the guns from Memphis, I will soon be enabled to say we are prepared.

I am, captain, very respectfully,

A. B. GRAY,

Captain, Topographical Engineers, C. S. Army Capt. E. D. BLAKE, A. A. A. G., Dept. No. 2, C. 8. A.

Memoranda of batteries at Island No. 10, Madrid Bend, by Capt. A. B. Gray, Engineer.

NOTE.-Thirty-five of the above guns have been placed in position in batteries since March 1 by the Engineer Corps, including the Sappers and Miners. The three 8-inch columbiads in Battery No. 1 are guns I procured from the naval floating battery at Columbus, and mounted them as they now stand January 20 last, by order of Major-General Polk. The platforms had been built by me some six months previous, when I located and constructed the redan at Island No. 10. These three columbiads were the only guns fired by Captain Rucker during the engagement of March 17. The three smoothbore 32-pounders were not fired. One other similar 8-inch columbiad I placed at the same time in Battery No. 5, where it now is. The floating battery New Orleans was placed on the north side of the island, to command the right channel of the river, which it effectually does. In all, at the present date, there are fifty-two guns in position for the defense of Island No. 10. A. B. GRAY,

Captain, C. S. Army, Chief Engineer Island No. 10.

CAMP POLK, ISLAND No. 10, MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Engineer's Office, March 24, 1862

[NOTE.-Differs but slightly from memoranda immediately preceding.] ENGINEER'S OFFICE, ISLAND No. 10, MISSISSIPPI RIVER, March 24, 1862.

Memoranda of batteries at Island No. 10, Madrid Bend, with guns mounted, fo.

NOTE.-In the redan, Battery No. 1, but three guns were used against the attack of the enemy's fleet and during the bombardment of Island No. 10. This battery, commanded by Captain Rucker, had six guns. The three smooth-bore 328 were not fired; only the three 8-inch columbiads. The three latter guns in the redan and one other similar in Battery No. 5 have been mounted and ready for action for some two months past. The four 8-inch columbiads are guns that I brought down from the naval floating battery and mounted them immediately. Thirty-five guns have been mounted on platforms and in batteries since March 1 by the Engineer Corps, including the Sappers and Miners. The nava floating battery was placed by us in position on the north side of the island, and now mounts nine guns making, in all, fifty-two guns in position at the present time.

am, very respectfully,

Maj. Gen. JOHN P. McCown.

10 B B-VOL VIII

A. B. GRAY, Captain, O. 8. Army, Chief Engineer Island No. 18