Beauregard's position.
treat of Gen. Beauregard from Co the point on the Mississippi river as Island No.10, shows the penetrable of the accomplished engineer.-- was a second Fort Donelson, as position was concerned. It commune with Tennessee by a railroad liable to pted by the enemy, and a retreat Mississippi on steamboats was hazard the enemy could closely pursue our perhaps even attack them from the more, below Columbus.No. 10 the Mississippi makes a and runs nearly due north, about , to New Madrid, where it again runs nearly due south to Obion it continues its general southern It thus forms a peninsulas, on between Tennessee and Kentucky, so while the distance by land from Nantucket Island No.10 to the nearest the river about Ortonville is less miles, the distance by water is . To pass this distance the enemy to silence the fortifications both No. 10 and New Madrid. This pen been regarded by very intelligent the real key of the lower Mississippi the fortifications on and near it suced in September last; those at were begun somewhat later.
have gunboats at New Madrid, it almost impossible for the Lincoln take and hold that place, or the of the Mississippi below it, gunboats should succeed in pass No. 10. As long as we hold that the Tennessee bank of the river, Mississippi furnishes a rapid and secure supply and retreat for the army at the island, and our gun as the control of both those .
country about New Madrid is known are quake region, from the terrible felt there in 1811. About six of New Madrid lies an impassable which extends southward to the the St. Francis with the Mississippi Memphis, leaving a narrow strip between it and the Mississippi. distance east of the peninsula tioned lies Realfoot lake and river, channel of the Mississippi, and sepa it by swampy ground, thus pre trong barrier to a land attack on at Island No.10. With an army in West Tennessee kept active , to check a land attack, the pas Lincoln gunboats below the pe be a difficult undertaking; if , the formidable works at Fort sent the next obstacle to their pre the Mississippi. Naturally the region of Missouri and Tennessee Madrid presents many obstacles ading force; under the guidance of those obstacles will be improved and genius, to the utmost extent.
