To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, March 16, 1862.—We have not gone yet. The 8th is at or near New Madrid, and there has been some fighting down there. The situation there is about this: The rebels have fortified Island No. 10 in the Mississippi river, about fifteen miles above New Madrid, and occupy it now. They also had a fort at or near New Madrid. This fort was commanded by our artillery all day last Thursday, and on that night, during a severe thunderstorm we had here, they evacuated it and our troops occupied it. We expect every day to hear that our gunboats have cleaned out from the island, as it is not a strong position. The infantry have had but little to do, it being (as I always told you the battles along the river would be) an artillery fight. One captain in the 10th Illinois was killed by the rebel pickets on Wednesday night, through his own folly and imprudence, by going unnecessarily near the rebel lines. I never shall get killed that way. When I peril my life it will be where some good is to be accomplished by it. We had a report here on Friday that our regiment had been in and got cut up, but I do not believe it has been under fire at all.
