Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

Captain: In compliance with your circular of June 12, herewith, please find report of the movements and operations of this division of the Army of the Mississippi from its landing at Hamburg to the close of the pursuit of the enemy beyond Booneville. It is not as full or as satisfactory as I would wish for the want of sufficient data, in consequence of the absence of generals Paine and Palmer, the former in command of the division most of the time and the latter in command of the First Brigade; also the absence of Colonel Roberts, next in command of that brigade. The Second Brigade being almost always in the advance, and sometimes occupying different camps, the absence of the officers named makes it difficult to render such a report as I would wish.

The division of General Paine landed at Hamburg on the morning of the 22d of April, and was composed of the following troops: First Brigade, Col. James D. Morgan commanding, the Tenth and Sixteenth Regiments Illinois Volunteers and Yates Sharpshooters; Second Brigade Col. G. W. Cumming commanding, the Twenty-second and Fiftyfirst Regiments Illinois Volunteers, Houghtaling's battery, unattached. Went into camp same day about half a mile west of the town of Hamburg.

23d.-In camp.

24th.-Remained in camp. During the day General Pope's command was reorganized, and General Paine assigned to the command of the First Division, Army of the Mississippi: First Brigade, the Twentysecond, Twenty-seventh, Forty-second, and Fifty-first Regiments Illinois Volunteers, and Houghtaling's battery, under command of General John M. Palmer; Second Brigade, Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers, Tenth and Fourteenth Michigan Volunteers Yates Sharpshooters, and Hescock's battery, under the command 00 Col. James D. Morgan, Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. [714]

April 25.-This morning the Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers, Yates Sharpshooters, and Houghtaling's battery were ordered forward about 1½ miles to a commanding position as an advance post. The balance of the division remained in the old camp. The Fourteenth Michigan reported for duty to-day.

April 26.-Remained in camp.

April 27.-Advanced some 4 miles, the whole command following. Houghtaling's battery assigned to the Second Brigade and Hescock's to the First Brigade.

April 28.-Remained in camp.

April 29.-Part of both brigades were ordered forward on the Monterey road some 4 miles, as a supporting party to General Stanley's division. Returned to camp about noon.

April 30.-Moved forward with the division across Chambers' Creek.

May 1.-Recrossed Chambers Creek.

May 2.-Remained in camp.

May 3.-The whole division left camp about half past 10 a. m. and took the road to Farmington, the Second Brigade in advance, and in the following order: Yates Sharpshooters, Lieutenant-Colonel Williams commanding, as an advance guard; Tenth Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Tillson commanding; Houghtaling's battery; Sixteenth Illinois, Colonel Smith commanding; Fourteenth Michigan, Colonel Sinclair commanding, and Tenth Michigan, Colonel Lum commanding, the First Brigade following.

Some 3 miles from camp the Tenth and Fourteenth Michigan and one section of Houghtaling's battery were detached and ordered to report to Colonel Roberts, Forty-second Illinois, who had been ordered to take the road to the right, leading to Nichols' Ford, and there await further orders. The balance of the division moved forward by the direct road to Farmington, descending into the swamp east of Seven Mile Creek. The Yates Sharpshooters were deployed as skirmishers and ordered to move cautiously forward. The enemy was soon discovered in strong force, and a brisk fire commenced along the whole line of skirmishers. Four companies-A, B, F, and I-were ordered forward to support the sharpshooters. This force soon succeeded in driving the enemy before them across Seven Mile Creek, where we found the bridge destroyed and the road much obstructed by fallen timber. Company C, Tenth Illinois Volunteers, was ordered forward to reconstruct the bridge and clear the road. While this was being done the remaining five companies of the Tenth and the Sixteenth Illinois were ordered forward and took up a strong position on the hill at the outlet of the swamp. In two hours the bridge was completed and the road cleared for the passage of artillery, and the command moved forward in the following order: The Second Brigade to the right of the road, the First Brigade along the road and to the left. The enemy were soon discovered in front, and the Second Brigade formed in the following order of battle: Three companies, the Yates Sharpshooters in advance, .deployed as skirmishers, the Sixteenth Illinois on the right, Houghtaling's battery in he center, and the Tenth Illinois on the left. Our skirmishers soon drove in those of the enemy, and Houghtaling's battery opened a close and rapid fire upon one of the enemy's, which was promptly and spiritedly replied to.

This continued for nearly an hour, Houghtaling advancing steadily and taking up new positions. The battery of the enemy having been silenced the infantry were then ordered to charge, which was done in splendid order, driving the enemy some 2 miles, the road being covered [715] with cast-off clothing, canteens, blankets, haversacks, arms, and accouterments, when a halt was ordered. Hescock's battery took up a good position on the left with the First Brigade and did good execution, the infantry of the First Brigade following the enemy on the left. By order of General Paine the Second Brigade was ordered to move by the left to Farmington, passing through town. Orders were received from General Pope for the whole division to recross the creek, leaving a sufficient force in the swamp to protect the bridge and road. The Tenth and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteers were detailed for that duty, and the balance of the division returned to a new camp, 1 1/2 miles east of the creek. Thus ended the skirmish at Farmington. It was a perfect success, and every officer and man performed his duty promptly and with spirit.

A list of casualties will be found on the paper marked A.¹ The loss of the enemy was some 40-odd killed and buried in the swamp and over 100 wounded. Some 15 prisoners were taken-1 captain.

May 4, 5, 6, and 7.-Remained in camp.

May 8.-The division moved forward upon a reconnaissance toward Corinth, the Second Brigade in the following order of march: Yates Sharpshooters, Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers, Houghtaling's battery, Fourteenth and Tenth Michigan. Our advance reached a point 11 miles from Corinth. Major Applington, in command of two companies of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, attached for the day to the division, was killed at this point by the enemy's skirmishers and 2 men of his command wounded. The Yates Sharpshooters [Sixty-fourth Illinois], deployed as skirmishers, became engaged, and lost 1 killed and 4 wounded, being within the range of the enemy's batteries, which opened upon us a brisk fire. A general engagement not being desired, orders were issued for the whole command to recross the creek, which was effected in good order and without further loss.

May 9.-First Brigade ordered to cross Seven Mile Creek early in the morning. Near Farmington they encountered the enemy in strong force, and soon became hotly engaged for some two hours, when orders were received to retire across the creek, which was accomplished in good order and with but little loss. No detailed report having been received of this engagement, this general account only can at this time be forwarded. A list of casualties will be found on the paper marked B.² The Second Brigade remained in line of battle during the day and night.

May 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.-In camp, large daily details being furnished for making roads and bridges.

May 15.-Expecting an attack, the division was in line of battle during most of the day. The Sixtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, having been assigned to Second Brigade, reported for duty to-day, and by order of General Pope was detached to support of siege guns, under Captain Williams.

May 16.-In camp.

May 17.-The division marched to Farmington, and encamped in double lines, and threw up strong earthworks in front of both lines.

May 18.-In camp. A lunette was completed in front of the center of the first line, and two sections of Houghtaling's battery placed in position in it, and a strong flank work on the right and front of first line. Hescock's battery was placed in position; one section of Houghtaling's on the right of the Corinth road in a strong position, well protected; [716] the Yates Sharpshooters in front, behind well-constructed riflepits.

19th.-In camp.

20th.-Reconnaissance toward Corinth about 14 miles, the information having been obtained for which it was made; returned to camp about noon.

21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th.--In camp.

On the 26th Adjutant Cowles, of the Tenth Regiment Michigan Volunteers, was killed on the picket line in the discharge of his duty. He was a faithful, energetic, and efficient officer.

28th.-A forward movement made to-day by the whole division 14 miles toward Corinth. Encamped in two lines, and strong earthworks thrown up in front of both lines. In the afternoon General Stanley's command was attacked by the rebels, pressing his lines somewhat strongly. The Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois were ordered to change front and support the line attacked if necessary. The enemy were soon driven back without their assistance, when orders were issued for them to return to the trenches.

29th.-A rebel battery constructed on the left of our lines opened fire this morning, and during the day a sharp artillery duel was kept up.

30th.-Evacuation of Corinth. At 4 o'clock a. m. the Yates Sharpshooters, Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois, were ordered to move to the left and toward the fort mentioned yesterday. Proceeding cautiously forward, it was soon discovered thatthe riflepits of the enemy's pickets were abandoned, as was the fort near by. The flag of the Tenth Illinois was soon waving oyer it. By order of General Pope the Tenth Illinois marched by the railroad to Corinth, and arrived at the intrenchments at 6.40 a. m., and planted their flag there. The Yates Sharpshooters and the Sixteenth Illinois were ordered to examine the ground to the left and front of the fort, and if found clear of the enemy, to proceed by the swamp to Corinth. A part of the First Brigade had taken the direct road to Corinth and arrived there among the first, and the flag of the Forty-second Illinois was one of the first raised in the town. After a short halt marched back to camp. Orders were soon received to move forward in pursuit of the enemy. The right of the division arrived near the Tuscumbia about 8 o'clock p. m., where it was found that the bridge across the river had been destroyed and the enemy were in force upon the opposite bank. Houghtaling's battery was placed in position, and supported by the Tenth Illinois. The Yates Sharpshooters were deployed as skirmishers in front of our lines, the balance of the division remaining about a mile in the rear. The whole command lay upon their arms during the night.

31st.-At daylight the Yates Sharpshooters were ordered forward, to drive in the pickets of the enemy and get possession of the crossing at the bridge. Soon arriving within their line of fire they met with a determined resistance, and soon lost 1 killed and 5 wounded. The Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois and Tenth Michigan were ordered forward. The Tenth Illinois crossed Clear Creek, and moving forward toward the Tuscumbia on the left of the bridge, opened a brisk fire upon the pickets on the other bank, driving them away and getting possession of the crossing. During the firing of the Tenth a battery of the enemy opened a brisk fire with grape and canister. The firing ceased suddenly, and we subsequently learned that the whole force of the enemy had retreated to Danville and thence to Rienzi. The Tenth had but 1 wounded-Sergeant Cowden, Company E, severely in the shoulder. About 6 o'clock p. m. the Second Brigade was relieved by Colonel Roberts, [717] commanding First Brigade, the Second returning to camp. During the night a foot-bridge was constructed, and the Forty-second Illinois crossed the river and took possession of Danville.

June 1st.-First Brigade in advance arrived at Tuscumbia. Details were made to assist in building the bridge and repairing road. At 12 m., all being completed, the First Division crossed the river and marched through Danville and Rienzi, and bivouacked for the night.

2d.-Marched to Booneville, 8 miles, and encamped; the Second Brigade in rear of the town, on the right of the railroad; the First Brigade on the left of the railroad, and somewhat in advance of the Second.

3d.-In camp.

4th.-Ordered forward as a supporting party to General Granger, who, with a cavalry force and a battery, was making a reconnaissance toward Baldwin. After marching some 4 miles, by order of General Rosecrans returned to camp.

5th.-In camp. Detail making roads and bridges. In the evening Colonel Roberts, with part of his command, made a reconnaissance on the Blackland road some 4 miles. Returned about 12 p. m. No enemy discovered.

6th.-Moved across the creek in the rear, and went into camp on the right of General Stanley's division.

This includes all that was required by your order. The report is very far from being a satisfactory one to me, but the best I could make from the crude material at hand. The time includes some forty-three days. Few commands have worked harder or accomplished more under like difficulties. Miles and miles of road have been built across almost impenetrable swamps, and bridges built. Miles of earthworks have been thrown up, and strong ones too. A great part of the time officers and men were without tents or camp equipage. All have worked cheerfully and promptly.

Steady and determined approaches have compelled the enemy to abandon a position strong by nature and made doubly so by months of hard labor, and although we have no bloody victories to record, at no time has any disposition been shown to avoid one if offered. Permit me to add that the officers and men of this command have performed their duty to my entire satisfaction.