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No. 1.-reports of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Mississippi, covering operations from April 29 to June 9, with communications from the President and Secretary of War.

Pittsbubg, Tenn., April 29, 1862.
The heavy rains have caused another flood. Last night several of our bridges were carried away and roads rendered impassable.

It is now very difficult to supply the army. Communications will be repaired as soon as possible.


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Pittsburg Landing, May 2, 1862-11 a. m.
The backwater of the Tennessee River from the flood has destroyed many of our bridges and overflowed the low lands and the creeks in our front. We have but few pontoons and no engineer troops. This greatly embarrasses our movement, as we cannot supply the army on the way. The river has begun to fall to-day, and we hope to move soon. We expect a terrible battle, but our men will fight well and all are determined to have a victory. The new organization of the army is producing good results and is generally satisfactory. Reports of the battle of the 6th and 7th [ultimo] are received and copies forwarded as rapidly as possible. the newspaper accounts that our divisions were surprised are utterly false. Every division had notice of the enemy's approach hours before the battle commenced.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. B. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Pittsburg Landing, May 3 1862.
(Received in Washington, D. C., May 3, 1862--2 p. m.)

I leave here to-morrow morning, and our army will be before Corinth to-morrow night. There may be no telegraphic communication for the next two or three days.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Monterey, May 6, 1862.
The heavy rains of the 4th and 5th have destroyed some of our bridges and greatly injured the roads. We are rapidly repairing them. Our advance guards are within 6 miles of Corinth. Deserters report that Beauregard has received large re-enforcements from New Orleans, South Carolina, and Georgia, and is very confident of being able to repulse any attack we may make. This country is almost a wilderness and very difficult to operate in.

H. W. Halleck, Major, federal.

Hon. E. M. Stanton.

Five miles from Corinth, Midnight, May 7, 1862.

A few days ago Lieutenant-Colonel Adams was captured by the enemy near this place. To-day a flag of truce was sent forward to effect his exchange. The advanced forces of the enemy, under Hardee, are 2 miles outside of the defenses at Corinth. The evidences are strong that the enemy are in force at Corinth. Pope's whole army will move forward in the morning to drive the enemy within his works. A severe battle will probably be fought.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Seoretary of War.

[666]

Moneterey, May 13, 1862. (Received May 14, 2. p.m.)
By last advices General Curtis' forces had passed Searcy, and were rapidly approaching Little Rock. If the gunboats can reach Memphis from either direction communication can be opened with Curtis by land through Mattison, or by water up the Arkansas and White Rivers. We are gradually advancing on Corinth, but as the enemy is strongly intrenched, and his number equal if not superior to ours, it is necessary to move with great caution. Most of the country passed over is a thick forest, with numerous streams and deep marshes, which require corduroys and bridges. Our progress is necessarily slow.

H. W. Halleck. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of Wrar.

before Corinth, May 18, 1862.
Our whole line moved up yesterday to within 2 miles of enemy's works, driving back their advance guards, which made strong resistance, upon the Purdy road. Major-General Sherman's division (our extreme right) lost 8 killed, 31 wounded. Loss in other divisions very slight. The enemy apparently waiting our attack upon his works. Country is so wooded and marshy that we are obliged to feel our way step by step.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. Stanton.

camp, Corinth road, May 22. 1862.
Daily skirmishing between our reconnoitering parties and the enemy. General Buell lost 25 men killed and wounded yesterday. Country in our front marshy and densely wooded. 1 hear nothing of the Kansas troops. Have they been ordered here? All my re-enforcements will be here in about four days. Beyond that I have nothing to expect from this department, and if none from other sources, there will be no use in further delaying an attack. The Sanitary Commission and State Governors carry away troops faster than I can recruit. Men only slightly unwell or feigning sickness are carried away without any authority.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of lWar.

War Department, May 24, 1862.
Major-General Halleck, Near Corinth, Miss.:
Several dispatches from Assistant Secretary Scott and one from Gov ernor Morton, asking re-enforcements for you, have been received. I beg you to be assured we do the best we can. I mean to cast no blame when I tell you each of our commanders along our line from Richmond to Corinth supposes himself to be confronted by numbers superior to his own. Under this pressure we thinned the line on the Upper Potomac, [667] until yesterday it was broken at heavy loss to us, and General Banks put in great peril out of which he is not yet extricated, and may be actually captured. We need men to repair this breach, and have them not at hand. My dear general, I feel justified to rely very much on you. I believe you and the brave officers and men with you can and will get the victory at Corinth.


Halleck's headquarters, May 25, 1862-6 p. m.
I have asked for no re-enforcements, but only whether any were to be sent to me. If any were to be sent, I would wait for them; if not, I would venture an attack. We are now in immediate presence of the enemy, and the battle may occur at any moment. I have every confidence that we shall succeed, but dislike to run any risk, and therefore have waited to ascertain if any more troops can be hoped for. Permit me to remark that we are operating upon too many points. Richmond and Corinth are now the great strategical points of war, and our success at these points should be insured at all hazards. My army is daily improving in health and discipline.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

headquarters Department of Mississippi, Camp on Corinth Road, May 28, 1862.
Three strong reconnoitering columns advanced this morning on the right center and left, to feel the enemy and unmask his batteries. Enemy hotly contested his ground at each point, but was driven back with considerable loss. The column on the left encountered the strongest opposition. Our loss there 25 killed and wounded. The enemy left 30 dead on the field. Losses at other points not yet ascertained. Some 5 or 6 officers and a number ofprivatescaptured. The fighting will probably be renewed to-morrow morning at daybreak. The whole country is so thickly wooded that we are compelled to feel our way.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. . M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

near Corinth, May 30, 1862.
General Pope's heavy batteries opened upon the enemy's intrenchments yesterday about 10 a. m. Soon drove the rebels from their advanced battery. Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman established another heavy battery yesterday afternoon within 1,000 yards of their works, and skirmishing parties advanced at daybreak this morning. Three of our divisions are already in the enemy's advance works, about threequarters of a mile from Corinth, which is in flames. The enemy has fallen back of the Mobile Railroad.

H W Halleck. Hon. E. M Stanton, Secretary of War.

[668]

near Corinth, May 30, 1862.
Our advance guards are in Corinth. Conflicting accounts as to enemy's movements. Believed to be in strong force on our left flank, some 4 or 5 miles south of Corinth, near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

H . W. Halleck Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

headquarters, Oamp near Corinth, May 30, 1862.
Enemy's positions and works in front of Corinth were exceedingly strong. He cannot occupy stronger positions. In his flight this morning he destroyed an immense amount of public and private propertystores, provisions, wagons, tents, &c. For miles out of the town the roads are filled with arms, haversacks, &c., thrown away by his flying troops. A large number of prisoners and deserters have been captured, and estimated by General Pope at 2,000. General Beauregard evidently distrusts his army, or he would have defended so strong a position. His troops are generally much discouraged and demoralized. In all their engagements the last few days their resistance has been weak.


Halleck's headquarters, Corinth, May 31, 1862.
Main body of the enemy has moved south toward Okolona. General Pope, with 50,000, men is following him. I do not, however, propose to pursue him far into Mississippi. Having no baggage trains except railroad trains, he can move much faster than we can pursue. I propose to immediately open the railroad to Decatur, Ala., and to Columbus, Ky. The fall of the Tennessee River will soon render the use of this road necessary to us for supplies. The destruction of the Decatur Bridge by General Mitchel was a most foolish operation. If that had not been done we could have had a connection with him in one week. As it is, we must receive our locomotives and cars from the Ohio River. I have ordered an examination of the road toward Florence, and I think a couple of locomotives landing at that place with cars could be immediately brought here, and be of great assistance to us in repairing the road to Columbus, Ky. Please inform me immediately if an agent of the War Department will act in this matter of procuring locomotives and cars or if I shall detail a quartermaster for that duty. There is no time to be lost in this matter.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. Stanton.

Halleck's headquarters, Corinth, June 1, 1862.
A brigade of cavalry under Colonel Elliott cut the enemy's line of retreat at Booneville, 2 miles south of Corinth, captured three pieces [669] of artillery, 600 infantry, and a squadron of cavalry, and destroyed a large quantity of quartermaster's and.commissary stores and a part of the railroad. The enemy is hard pressed for food, and has released all prisoners, rank and file, taken at Pittsburg.


Halleck's headquarters, June 4.
General Pope, with 40,000, is 30 miles south of Corinth, pushing the enemy hard. He already reports 10,000 prisoners and deserters from the enemy and 15,000 stand of arms captured.1 Thousands of the enemy are throwing away their arms. A farmer says that when Beauregard learned that Colonel Elliott had cut the railroad on his line of retreat he became frantic, and told his men to save themselves the best they could. We have captured nine locomotives and a number of cars. One is already repaired and is running to-day. Several more will be in running order in two or three days. The result is all I could possibly desire.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Washington, June 4, 1862.
Your glorious dispatch has just been received, and I have sent it into every State. The whole land will soon ring with applause at the achievement of your gallant army and its able and victorious commander.


Washington, June 4, 1862.
Your dispatch of to-day to Secretary of War received. Thanks for the good news it brings.

Have you anything from Memphis or other parts of the Mississippi River Please answer.

A. Lincoln.


Halleck's headquarters, June 4, 1862.
General Pope's dispatch of yesterday assured me that the enemy was rapidly retreating south. At 10 o'clock this morning he telegraphed [670] me that Beauregard was making a stand at Baldwin, 31 miles south, and was likely to attack his advance guard, under Generals Rosecrans and Hamilton. I immediately ordered General Buell with two divisions to advance in direction, and if he deemed necessary to assume the entire command, as the ranking officer. As the entire force on the Mobile and Ohio south of Corinth is nearly 60,000, no apprehension is felt for the result. The other divisions of the army are repairing the railroad to Decatur, Memphis, and Columbus but can be immediately brought into position if required. It is believed that the enemy is making a demonstration merely to cover his retreat.


Washington, June 5, 1862-9.30 p. m.
I have received the following dispatch from General McClellan, which I transmit for your consideration:

McClellan's headquarters, June 5, 1862-4 p. m. Hon. Abraham Lincoln:

May I again invite your excellence's attention to the great importance of occupying Chattanooga and Dalton by our Western forces? The evacuation of Corinth would appear to render this very easy. The importance of this move and force cannot be exaggerated. be exaggerated. Geo. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General.


Corinth, June 7, 1862.
Your telegraph of yesterday just received.2 Preparations for Chattanooga made five days ago, and troops moved in that direction. Mitchel's foolish destruction of bridges embarrassed me very much, but I am working night and day to remedy the error, and will very soon re-enforce him.

H. W. Halleck. To the President.

Corinth, June 9, 1862.
The enemy has fallen back to Saltillo, 50 miles by rail and near 70 by wagon road. General Pope estimates rebel loss from casualties, prisoners, and desertion at over 20,000, and General Buell at between 20,000 and 30,000. An Englishman employed in the Confederate commissary department says they had 120,000 men in Corinth, and that now they cannot muster much over 80,000. Some of the fresh graves on the road have been opened and found filled with arms. Many of the prisoners of war beg not to be exchanged, saying that they purposely allowed themselves to be captured. Beauregard himself retreated from Baldwin on Saturday afternoon'to Okolona. General Buell, with four divisions, has been directed to move east, to form a junction with Mitchel. The destruction of the railroad and bridges will [671] make his movement slow. Moreover, until the railroad is repaired, it will require almost the entire transportation of the army to supply him; nevertheless it is absolutely necessary to re-enforce General Curtis. I hope the Navy will assist me in supplying him by White River. I am pushing forward troops and opening the road to Memphis.


Corinth, June 9, 1862.
General Pope has followed the enemy to Guntown, about 40 miles by railroad and 50 by wagon road south of this place. The main body of the rebels has retreated to Okolona. The country south is very swampy; the bridges have been destroyed and the roads blocked up with fallen timber. I do not purpose to pursue him any farther, but to send all forces not required to hold the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to the relief of Curtis in Arkansas and to East Tennessee, if this plan meets the approval of the War Department.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Washington, June 9, 1862.
Your dispatch of this date has just been received, and your proposed plan of operations is cordially approved. I suppose you contemplate the occupation of Vicksburg and clearing out the Mississippi to New Orleans. If it should in any contingency become necessary, can you lend a hand to Butler?


Corinth, Miss., July 3, 1862.
In accordance with your instructions, I telegraph to you daily what information I receive of events in this department, stating whether official or unofficial, and, if official, giving the authority. I am not responsible for the truth of the statements thus communicated. I have seen a published statement of General Beauregard that my telegram respecting the capture of locomotives, prisoners, and arms contained as many lies as lines. The number of locomotives captured was reported to be nine, and I so telegraphed you. General Beauregard says only seven. It turns out on al full investigation that we captured eleven. In regard to the number of prisoners and arms taken I telegraphed the exact language of General Pope. If it was erroneous, the responsibility is his, not mine.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General. Hon. E, M. Stanton Secretary of War.

1 In 1865 Major-General Pope denied ever having made such report. His correspondence with Major General Halleck on that subject is printed in Series I, Vol. X, Part II, pp. 635,636.

2 Reference is probably to the President's dispatch of June 5, above.

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