The well-prepared seige of the Confederate concentrations in the Mississippi River at Island Number Ten came to an end when the Union forces under General John Pope, supported by newly arrived naval units attacked. An attempted Confederate breakout under Major General William W. Mackall failed and he and his around 4500 men were captured. Island Number Ten surrendered to Commodore A.H. Foote the same day. The victory opened up the river to the Union almost as far as Memphis, Tennessee. (By John Osborne)