Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[489] without losing every thing but their small arms.

I have strained every thing to take into the fight an adequate force, and to get them to the right place.

Generals Ord and Hurlbut came upon the enemy yesterday, General Hurlbut having driven in small bodies the day before. After several hours' hard fighting they drove the enemy five miles back across the Hatchie River, toward Corinth, capturing two batteries and about three hundred prisoners, and many small arms.

I immediately apprised General Rosecrans of these facts, and directed him to urge on the good work.

The following despatch has been received from him, dated

Under previous instructions, Gen. Hurlbut is also following.

General McPherson is in the lead of General Rosecrans's column.

The rebel General Martin is said to be killed.

(Signed)

Major: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the Major-General commanding the District, the following report of the battle of Corinth:

preliminaries.

The rumors which followed the battles of Iuka were that Price had marched to the vicinity of Ripley, and was being joined by Van Dorn with all the available rebel forces in North-Mississippi for the purpose of capturing Corinth, or breaking our line of communication, and forcing us to retreat toward Columbus.

These rumors gained strength until the first of October, when strong cavalry scouts sent out for the purpose, demonstrated the fact that the rebels were moving from Ripley via Ruckersville, and the main body was at Pocahontas.

The question then was, where they would strike the main blow?

Equally favorably situated to strike either Bolival, Bethel, Jackson, or Corinth, which would it be?

Unfortunately for me, there was no map of the country north-west of this place to be found; therefore I could not tell whether to expect a strong demonstration here to hold us in suspense while the blow was struck elsewhere, or vice versa. Rumors that the attack was to take the direction of Jackson or Bolivar, via Bethel, were so rife, and the fortifications of Corinth were so well known to the rebels, that I had hopes they would undertake to mask me, and, passing north, give me an opportunity to beat the masking force, and cut off their retreat.

This hope gained some strength from the supposed difficulties of the country lying in the triangle formed by the Memphis and Charleston, the Mobile and Ohio railroads and Cypress Creek.

To be prepared for eventualities, Hamilton's and Stanley's divisions were placed just beyond Bridge Creek, the infantry outposts were called in from Iuka, Burnsville, Rienzi and Danville, and the outpost at Chewalla retired to New-Alexander, and strengthened by another regiment and a battery, early on the morning of the second.

During that day evidences increased showing the practicability of the country north-west of us, and disclosed the facts, not before known, that there were two good roads from Chewalla eastward, one leading directly into the old rebel intrenchments, and the other crossing over into the Pittsburgh Landing road.

Accordingly, the following disposition of the troops for the third was ordered at half-past 1 o'clock A. M. of that day, namely:

There being indications of a possible attack on Corinth, immediately the following disposition of troops will be made: General McKean with his division will occupy the present position: Gen. Davies will occupy the line between the Memphis and Columbus road, General Hamilton with his division will take position between the rebel works on the Purdy and on the Hamburgh roads ; and General Stanley will hold his division in reserve at or near the old headquarters of Major-General Grant.

The respective divisions will be formed in two lines, the second line being either in line of battle or close column by division as their circumstances may require.

The troops were ordered to move toward their positions, with one hundred rounds of ammunition and three days rations per man, by three o'clock A. M.

These dispositions were made, and the troops at nine o'clock on the morning of the third occupied the positions shown on the accompanying map. Hamilton on the right, Davidson the centre, McKean on the left, with an advance of three regiments of infantry and a section of artillery under Colonel Oliver on the Chewalla road, at or near Alexander's, beyond the rebel breastworks. The cavalry were disposed as follows: (See map accompanying Colonel Wiezner's report.) A battalion at Burnsville, one at Roney's Mill on the Jacinto and Corinth road. Colonel Lee, with the Seventh Kansas and a part of the Seventh Illinois at Kossuth and Boneyard, watching the rebels' right flank; Colonel Hatch and