Capt. Sylla may have mistaken the date and actual location as the 10th Illinois met Jeff Thompson March 1, capturing a flag. I cannot read on-line the referenced New York newspaper article.

Numbers 16. Reports of Colonel James D. Morgan, Tenth Illinois Infantry, commanding First Brigade.

HDQRS. TENTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Bird's Point, March 3, 1862.

GENERAL: I returned last evening with Captain Noleman's cavalry. The expedition your ordered to Sikeston, under my command, was not as successful as I could have wished. Jeff. Thompson escaped, as usual. After running him some twenty-four hours he made a stand some 3 miles below Sikeston, on the New Madrid road. He was attacked by Captain Noleman's First Illinois Cavalry; Company K, Twenty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant Buchanan, and a detachment of the Tenth Illinois Volunteers of 30 men, under the command of Lieutenant Gallion, same regiment (Company D). A running fight took place and resulted in the defeat of Jeff. Thompson, the capture of three 1-pounder cannon, one flag, one killed, several wounded, and a number of prisoners, including a captain and lieutenant. During the engagement two companies Seventh Illinois Cavalry made a charge and captured one piece of artillery; the other two were taken by captain Noleman's company.

The pursuit was continued to within 4 miles of New Madrid; some say two miles and a half. Captain Burrell's company (First Illinois Cavalry) did not come up in time to take part in the engagement. The Twenty-second Illinois Volunteers were on the march to Sikeston on the Benton road, and the Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers 9 miles north of Sikeston. From al the information I could get it was thought impossible for Jeff. Thompson to return by any other than the Benton road, or I should have had all my command at Sikenton except the cavalry.

Captain Noleman deserves credit for his activity and perseverance in the pursuit and the part taken in the engagement. Like credit is due to the officers and men of the infantry engaged.

The cannon and prisoners taken were left in charge of General Pope's command.

Yours, truly,

JAMES D. MORGAN,
Colonel Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers.

General E. A. PAINE,

Commanding Cairo and Dependencies.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FOURTH DIVISION, Camp near New Madrid, Mo., April 11, 1862.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the part taken by the brigade under my command so directly under your personal observation and direction during the recent movements of the Army of the Mississippi that I deem it entirely unnecessary to make a formal and detailed report. Our march to the transports; our embarkation; crossing the river; our disembarking; our march to Tiptonville; the utter rout of the rebels; the number of prisoners taken during the day and night of the 7th instant; the arrival of officer at our picket lines, and the surrender with which he was intrusted of General Mackall and his whole command; the arrival of the Second Brigade at our camp on the morning of the 8th instant, and the rapid march from Tiptonville of the Tenth and Sixteenth Regiments to the upper ferry at Reelfoot Lake, and the success met with in the additional capture of prisoners, and our safe return to this our present camp without the loss of a single man, all took place under your own eye and observation. I will only add that every officer and man of my command did his whole duty with a promptness and soldierlike coolness that met my entire approbation, as I hope it will yours.

JAMES D. MORGAN,
Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Fourth Division.

General E. A. PAINE,
Commanding Fourth Division.
OR V8 pp. 110/11

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