The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Civil War-16th Illinois Infantry: (Continued) At New Madrid General Pope praised the men in his report:
"The 10th and 16th Illinois, commanded respectively by Colonels Morgan and J.R.Smith, were detailed as guards to the proposed trenches and to aid in constructing them.
They marched from camp at sunset on the 12th and drove the pickets and grand guards of the enemy as they were ordered at shoulder arms without returning a shot; covered the front of the intrenching parties and occupied the trenches and rifle pits during the whole day and night of the 13th under furious and incessant cannonading from 60 pieces of heavy artillery.
At the earnest request of their colonels their regimental flags were kept flying over our trenches, though they offered a conspicuous mark to the enemy. (He could zero in on the men.)
The coolness, courage and cheerfulness of these troops, exposed for two nights and a day to the furious fire of the enemy at short range and to the severe storm which raged during the whole night of the 13th, are beyond all praise and delighted and astonished every officer who witnessed it."
1882 History of Henderson County