Letter from Corinth.
[from an Occasional Correspondent.] Corinth, Miss., May 28, 1862.
This has been a day of excitement, in strange contrast with the quiet and calm and music I wrote about yesterday.
The intense heat suggested the propriety of preparing to dodge a substance.
Riding out early to visit Gen. D. H. Maury, at Van Dorn's headquarters we were informed his whole command had gone out at daylight to meet the enemy.
We halted to listen to the artillery, and for hours ‘"the music of its roar"’ resounded along our lines.
During part of the morning so heavy and constant was the cannonade that some said it was worse than at Shiloh; and most exhilarating music it was — so long anticipated, so long resounding in our imaginations.
And now this cannon-thunder, hitherto slumbering in stern silence, had found a voice to answer the approaching foe, and had wakened to the eloquence of action.
I could only wait with an officer friend until his turn came, and I could accompany him where I could ‘"see something."’ Meantime, we had to be content with listening.
A report came in that ‘"Cheatham was driving the enemy before him, and had sent in a cavalry officer and six other prisoners,"’ I saw one of our men gasping for breath, and was told he was wounded ‘"by the wind of a ball."’ He seemed almost paralyzed, and was but one of many and sights I saw to-day.
The fighting, or skirmishing, closed about 2 P. M., and cannon were again quiet.
Not so our camps however.
All day the sick and wounded, and all who pretended to be sick or were too lazy to march, were removed in the cars.
Train after train, crowded inside and out, as many on top of the cars as within, was sent rapidly south and west.
This continued during the whole day and all night long.
Many sad sights I witnessed at the depot.
The army is no place for a sick man, and especially an army engaged in such an important movement; for while firing and fighting was going on along our lines, and stores and sick removed, regiments were striking tents and taking up the line of march.
At 10 o'clock whole acres of tents were visible, spread out in all their picturesque variety of a large encampment, and at one P. M., no tent could be seen in Corinth.
Where this large army, now relieved of all encumbrances, enlivened and inspirited by motion, and the prospect of a fight, was going, none could tell.
Some said the orders were to attack the enemy at daylight.
Others declared they were going to North Alabama, and on to Tennessee and Kentucky.
All was life and animation and movement, as regiment after regiment filed past my position.
Presently the tent I had been sitting in was struck and packed with its contents in the wagon, and as I bid good by again to those I had last parted with on the Potomac, and saw their long line winding round and hidden by the woods, I turned back towards where my duties called me, and rode through the abandoned camps, wondering when I should meet the brave fellows again, and how many another Shiloh would leave to answer the roll call, whose numbers had been so sadly thinned in that fierce fight. L.
Columbus, Miss., May 31, 1862.
I left Corinth next morning, and reached here (Columbus) that night.
The evacuation was completed Thursday night, and the Yankees arrived Friday morning, just twenty-four hours after I left.
Let no man blame me for ‘"retreating."’ I was ‘"under orders. "’ Besides, after Beauregard left, I could not be expected to hold Corinth against Halleck's army by myself.
This evacuation was equal to a victory.
It destroys or renders valueless all the Yankees have done for months.
It draws them from their gunboats.
In fact, all of their boats have gone down the Tennessee River except one, and that was stranded.
Report says Halleck had received a large number of fresh troops, and had sent off most of his sick.
One-third of his army is reported sick.
If he remains in Corinth, all of them will die, for the atmosphere and the water are full of disease.
If he advances, Beauregard's army will whip him. He got but few stores and arms, and took a few stragglers prisoners.
His attempts to attack our rear were repulsed, and we are improved, while he is worsted, by ‘"the evacuation of Corinth."’ L. 