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.

My intrenchments being within 1,000 yards of the enemy's main works, General Thomas gave me the order to observe their actions, and in case they could be seen, to open fire upon them. My pickets gave information that the enemy had fallen back, and I took a squadron of Illinois cavalry, Captain Hotaling, and made a reconnaissance in my front. I passed into their intrenchments without opposition, and finding nothing but heaps of camp equipage, tents, and the like in every direction within them, ready to burn, I pushed forward to Corinth. Everything was in flames around the depot except the two hotels and the private buildings. I ordered the two telegraph lines passing through the town to be cut, which was done. The depot platform was on fire, which as far as possible was arrested, saving the depot and the [857] houses adjoining. The four roads leading to the rear had each a bridge across a small stream, which were on fire. I ordered them to be extinguished, saving them without material damage.

I then proceeded to the only public building in the place the Gaston Institute, a large one, upon an eminence southwest of the depot, where a rebel flag was flying from the dome. I ascended to the roof, my staff following, and ordered it to be hauled down and the Stars and Stripes raised in its place. This was done, after some difficult climbing, by two of my staff, Lieuts. John W. Davies and Annan. I have the rebel flag in my possession. There was no other building in the place worthy of the honor, as most of them displayed hospital or white flags. The troops then began pouring into the town, preceded by cavalry in pursuit of the flying enemy. At this moment I received orders from General Halleck to march my division on Farmington and report to Major-General Pope. I executed the order, and the division is now encamped south of Corinth, its right resting on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,