1860s comes to life during Fall Festival

Battle for Island No. 10 was important part of the Civil War

NEW MADRID -- Michael Comer describes New Madrid and the Battle for Island No. 10 as an almost forgotten piece of Civil War history.

Comer explains during the Civil War, the Mississippi River was key to both the North and the South. New Madrid, situated along a bend in the river, and nearby Island No. 10, which dominated the river way, were considered strategic to the control of the Mississippi.

"A lot of people don't realize how important New Madrid was early in the war. New Madrid and Island No. 10 controlled a good stretch of the river," said Comer.

Initially Confederate troops were garrisoned in the town, which would fall into the Union's hands in March 1862 shortly after Gen. Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson in Tennessee. In April, after weeks of shelling, Union troops assaulted and took Island No. 10.

"When New Madrid and Island No. 10 fell, it was considered a major victory for the North. It opened the river all the way to Memphis. It was a big gain for them," said Comer. "But it is quickly lost in history to the large battles that followed and the incredible loss of life which was a shock to the public. Compared to Fort Donelson and Shiloh, this was a small thing in the war but it was important."

For the full story, see Thursday's edition of the Standard Democrat.