March 17, 1862 – Sailing of Com Foote’s Gunboat and Mortar Fleet Down the Mississippi River

Hickman, KY, March 15—The powerful naval expedition, composed of the gunboats Benton, Louisville, Cincinnati, Carondelet and Conestoga, under Commodore Foote, left Cairo at 7 o’clock this morning. At Columbus they were joined by the gunboats Pittsburg, St. Louis and Mound City, making a total of eight gunboats, and were overtaken by eight mortar boats In tow of four steamers, with transports and ordnance boats. The fleet arrived here at 4 1/2 o’clock this afternoon. Mounted pickets of the enemy were in sight on the bluff on our arrival, and two companies of the 27th Illinois were sent after them, but they escaped.

A strong Union feeling is manifested here.

An impression prevails that island No. 10 will not offer much resistance to our progress. There is said to be 2,000 rebel troops at Union, 7,000 at Humboldt, and 15,000 in the vicinity of Island No. 10. Also, twelve heavy guns In the batteries on the Island.

Evening Star, Washington, DC

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