No. 1.-report of Maj. Gen. U. Grant, U. S. Army.
headquarters District of West Tennessee, Savannah, Tenn., April 3, 1862.
Captain: Inclosed herewith I send you report of Colonel Webster, chief of staff, who accompanied the gunboats up the river, with the view of determining the practicability of destroying the railroad east of Corinth without special danger of bringing on an engagement.
There will be no great difficulty in going any place with the army now concentrated here, but a battle will necessarily ensue at any point on the railroads touched.
A dispatch from the telegraph operator is just in. He states that General Nelson has arrived in sight.
The advance will arrive probably on Saturday.
The dispatch received does not state the number of miles out the telegraph wire is laid.
Nothing is learned from Corinth very reliable.
Deserters occasionally come in, but all that can be learned from them that is reliable is that the force there is large and increasing.
They do not describe the feeling of the men as at all hopeful; on the contrary, say that many would desert if they could.
I have been engaged for the last two days reviewing the troops of this command.
I find the men in excellent condition, and as a general thing well clothed.
Some, however, are still in the gray uniform, and owing to the bad quality of clothing on hand are reluctant to draw other to replace that on hand.
I have already twenty-one batteries here, which looks to me quite
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enough for the other force; but if at all consistent with the public interest, and more artillery is to be sent, I would ask that the First Ilinois Artillery be sent, Colonel Webster, colonel of the regiment, being here with me.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
