New Madrid

BATTLE OF NEW MADRID – MARCH 3-13, 1862

First stage of the battle to capture Island #10; an Army-Navy combined operation that produced the first Union victory on the Mississippi River. 

Forces Engaged: Union 18,547 vs. CSA 9,000

VISITOR INFORMATION

Marker Location: Intersection of Cates Landing-New Markham Road and Tennessee Route 22, Tiptonville, Tn.
Note: Visit to Tennessee not required for stamp, only New Madrid Historical Museum.
Battle Marker: N 36° 34.991 W 089° 31.588, near the intersection of Main Street & Levee Rd, New Madrid, Mo.
Stamp Location:  New Madrid Historical Museum, when staff available.
Website:  newmadridmuseum.com
Address:  1 South Main Street, New Madrid, Mo. 63869
Phone Number:  573-748-5944
Staff Available: Apr-Nov, Mon-Sat: 9 am-5 pm; Sun: 12-5 pm. Dec through Mar, Mon-Sat: 10 am-4 pm; Sun: 12-4 pm; Closed holidays, Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.
Visit Fee: Museum tour fee: $5.00/adults; $3.00/students <18; free for kids 6 and under. Fee not required for stamp.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

INTERIOR DEPT. SUMMARY:  With the surrender of Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, and the evacuation of Columbus, Kentucky, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, commander of the Confederate Army of the Mississippi, chose Island No. 10, about 60 river miles below Columbus, to be the strong point for defending the Mississippi River. Nearby was New Madrid, one of the weak points. Brig. Gen. John Pope, commander of the Union Army of the Mississippi, set out from Commerce, Missouri, to attack New Madrid, on February 28. The force marched overland through swamps, lugging supplies and artillery, reached the New Madrid outskirts on March 3, and laid siege to the city. Brig. Gen. John P. McCown, the garrison commander, defended both New Madrid and Island No. 10 from the fortifications.

He launched a sortie, under Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson, Missouri State Guard, against the besiegers and brought up heavy artillery to bombard them. On the 13th, the Confederates bombarded the Yankees to no avail. Since it did not appear possible to defend New Madrid, the Confederate gunboats and troops evacuated to Island No. 10 and Tiptonville. On the 14th, Pope’s army discovered that New Madrid was deserted and moved in to occupy it. A U.S. Navy flotilla, under the command of Flag-Officer Andrew H. Foote, arrived March 15 upstream from Island No. 10. The ironclad Carondelet on the night of April 4 passed the Island No. 10 batteries and anchored off New Madrid. Pittsburgh followed on the night of April 6. The ironclads helped to overawe the Confederate batteries and guns, enabling Pope’s men to cross the river and block the Confederate escape route. Brig. Gen. William W. Mackall, who replaced McCown, surrendered Island No. 10 on April 8. The Mississippi was now open down to Fort Pillow, Tennessee.

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. John Pope and Flag-Officer Andrew H. Foote [US]; Brig. Gen. John P. McCown and Brig. Gen. William W. Mackall [CS]
Estimated Casualties: Unknown
Result(s): Union victory

The New Madrid Historical Museum (a stamp site) has a large collection of artifacts from the fighting in and around New Madrid.

http://www.newmadridmuseum.com/exhibitsDetail.php…

Here is a brief video about the engagement:

https://civilwarhome.com/newmadriddescrip.html