Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[646] The whole division then advanced, the Second brigade being on the extreme left. The enemy were driven steadily before us until we came in view of the outer intrenchments or riflepits. Our onward course was here checked for a short time, in consequence of the deadly fire of the enemy, and the nature of the obstructions in front of us.

After a slight pause, the Thirty-third Mississippi (Colonel D. W. Hurst, commanding) charged the intrenchments, and drove the enemy from them in gallant style. In consequence of the dense thickness of the undergrowth, I had lost sight of all of my regiments except the Thirty-third Mississippi; so that after capturing the intrenchments, considerable time elapsed before my scattered regiments could be collected and the line re-formed. During the rest of the day the brigade was engaged in executing orders from the Major-General commanding the division, but was not actively engaged with the enemy. Early the following morning, the brigade advanced as directed until under the fire of the enemy's artillery, which, together with the fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, was very heavy, causing many casualties. Under the circumstances, the conduct of the troops was excellent, and could not be surpassed. Later in the morning it became necessary to fall back from this advanced position, to defeat an attempt of the enemy to turn my left flank, which was accomplished in good order, and the enemy repulsed in gallant style, and with considerable loss. This last action having caused the whole left wing of the army to attack the enemy's right, the enemy did not again appear in my immediate front, and the brigade remained idle until ordered across the railroad to cover the movements of the left wing of the army, which had been withdrawn. While performing this service, the enemy's cavalry once appeared in sight, and it became necessary to disperse them, which was done by Major G. O. Watts, by a few rounds from one of his batteries. I wish to mention for conspicuous gallantry Colonel D. W. Hurst, Thirty-third Mississippi regiment, who drove the enemy from their intrenchments, at the head of his regiment, with empty guns; Colonel W. B. Shelby, Thirty-ninth Mississippi regiment, who rallied his men at great personal risk from a partial disorder into which they had been thrown by a flank fire of the enemy. The following officers of my staff were with me on the field, and rendered me important service in conveying orders, etc.: Captain Kinlock Falconer, Assistant-Adjutant General, and Major J. P. Carr, A. C. S., and Captain Belton, A. Q. M.

I transmit the reports of the different regimental commanders, giving detailed operations of the respective commands. I also enclose a list of the killed, wounded, and missing.

I am, Colonel, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to report that this division of the Army of the West moved from Ripley towards Corinth on the thirtieth September, numbering three thousand eight hundred and ninety infantry, five light batteries of four guns each, and eight hundred and eightyone cavalry. On the morning of October third we moved, at daylight, from our camp near Chewalla to attack the enemy in Corinth. The division was formed in line of battle near Walker's house, north of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Moore's brigade, with its right resting near the railroad; Phifer's brigade was formed on Moore's left, extending to Hebert's division; and Cabell's brigade was held in reserve. The line faced Corinth and the enemy's advanced line of intrenchments.

The sharpshooters of Moore's and Phifer's brigades, under Colonels Rogers, Sherman, and Bridges, soon became briskly engaged with those of the enemy, and forced them back into their intrenchments. At ten A. M. our whole line moved forward, and the strong outworks of the enemy were carried without check. Moore and Phifer at once pushed on towards Corinth in pursuit of the retreating enemy. When within a little more than a mile of the town they were halted. Moore was moved towards his right to unite with the line of General Lovell, which was advancing along the south side of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and soon encountered a heavy force of the enemy, whom, after a fierce contest, he drove before him. Soon afterwards he was reinforced by two regiments of Cabell's brigade, under Colonels Johnson and Dockery. The advance was then resumed, and Moore soon became hotly engaged with the enemy, occupying a field-work, or intrenched camp. This he carried by assault, capturing the camp and its stores. Phifer, advancing, was met near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad by a strong force of the enemy, whom, after an obstinate combat, attended with a heavy loss on both sides, he drove back into Corinth, and was then halted, with his left resting within four hundred yards of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, his right being a little thrown back. Cabell was sent to support Phifer's right, now separated by a wide space from Moore, and was soon afterwards withdrawn to support Hebert's, who was threatened by a flank movement of the enemy towards his extreme left. About dark Moore was drawn in towards his left, until his line united with Phifer's; and the troops lay on their arms in these positions all night. Just before daylight, Major Burnett placed the batteries of Tobin, Sengstack, and McNally upon an advanced ridge about six hundred yards from Corinth, and opened fire upon the town. One of their pieces,