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R. L. McCook.
The city which sent him forth may well be proud of him. Of his course as Colonel of his gallant Ninth, all are informed, and all are ready to praise.
As a Brigadier it has been the writer's privilege to observe him closely.
There is no officer more fully competent to fill his place than Robert McCook.
He labors with all his powers for the good of his command.
His energy is remarkable; nothing that concerns the good of the service escapes him. He is almost continually in his saddle, and knows the country close up to the enemy's line, wherever he may be, from personal observation.
He is emphatically a soldier, not through previous military education, but from good sense, and is most faithfully serving his country.
He deserves well of your citizens, who, doubtless, delight to do him honor.
H.
Another account.
Corinth, May 30--Noon.
The siege of Corinth, which was fairly inaugurated on the thirtieth of April, ended this morning.
Despite the boast that one rebel is equal to two Yankees, the Southern generals have again declined to fight us with nearly equal numbers.
Although protected by intrenchments, in commanding positions, and capable of being made next to invulnerable, Corinth has been added to the lone list of strongholds which have fallen into our hands, without bloodshed, since the commencement of the present year.
Manassas, Yorktown, Norfolk, Bowling Green, Nashville, Columbus, Little Rock and Corinth — all capable of a lengthened defence, yet all captured without even a show of resistance.
Corinth was indeed a stronghold, and its importance could not have been over-rated.
It is the key that unlocks the Cotton States, and gives us command of almost the entire system of Southern railroads, and nothing but despair could have prompted its abandonment.
While there was a shadow of hope for the Confederacy, policy would have compelled the insurgents to hold the town.
Unusual activity prevailed in the rebel camps last night.
The cars were running constantly, and the noise, which was distinctly heard within our lines, indicated that they were very heavily laden.
About three o'clock in the morning, three signal-rockets were observed to ascend from the direction of Corinth, and immediately the long-roll called our forces into line, to provide against an attack, should the rebels be meditating one.
At the same instant, a commotion was observed among the rebel pickets, which was construed into an advance, and a volley from end to end of the lines greeted the really retreating but supposed advancing foes.
For two hours all was quiet, the men remaining in line, when suddenly an explosion, or rather quick succession of explosions, was heard in the direction of Corinth, and presently, volumes of smoke, dense and dark, arose, as if from smothered flames; but so well convinced were our soldiers that a battle would be fought here, that the whole matter was looked upon as a ruse to deceive us and draw us into a snare.
Whether or not any definite information as to the true condition of affairs had been received at headquarters, I am unable to state; but this I do know, that when the orders to march were received, commanders of brigades believed that the hour for a decisive and bloody battle had arrived.
About half-past 6 in the morning, orders to march were received, and at seven, the greater portion of the men were outside their breast-works, cautiously feeling their way through the dense underbrush which intervened between our fortifications and the defences of Corinth, but after proceeding three eighths of a mile, they came to an open space, and the enemy's works, abandoned and desolate, burst upon their astonished gaze.
The sight was entirely unexpected.
The opening was made by the rebels, who had felled the timber for about three hundred yards in front of their intrenchments, for the double purpose of obstructing our progress and giving them a fair view of our column when within rifle-range.
The view from the highest point of the rebel works, immediately in front of Davies's, now Rosecrans's division, was truly grand.
The circle of vision was at least five miles in extent, stretching from the extreme right to the extreme left, and the magnificent display of banners, the bristling of shining bayonets, and the steady step of the handsomely attired soldiers, presented a pageant which has seldom been witnessed on this continent.
Upon many of the regimental ensigns were printed “Wilson's Creek,” “Dug Springs,” “Donelson,” or “Shiloh,” and one or two wave all these mottoes in the breeze.
Those who passed through all these trying ordeals, unscathed, or who received honorable wounds in either, in future can look back upon a life devoted to their country's service, and feel that proud satisfaction which is denied to others not less patriotic, but less fortunate.
In future pageants in honor of the nation's birthday, when the last relics of former struggles have become extinct, and when these shall be bowed down with age, they will be their country's honored guests, and receive that consideration due their noble deeds.
Notwithstanding the desire of the soldiers to possess themselves of relics of the retreating foe, perfect order was maintained in the lines.
Your correspondent wandered around the large area lately occupied by the rebel troops, but found few trophies which were worth preserving.
A broken sword and double-barrelled shot-gun were picked up after an hour's search, but these were seized by the Provost-Marshal at the Landing, and confiscated.
The enemy, with the exception of the rearguard, had left with the greatest deliberation.
A few worthless tents, some heavy kettles, a large number of old barrels, tin cups, and articles of this description, were the only camp equipages not taken away.
There is nothing so desolate as a newly-deserted 