754

THE BATTLE OF CORINTH.

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GKOUP OF UNION SOLDIERS AT CORINTH. FROM A WAR-TIME PHOTOGRAPH.

the head of the enemy’s column. This was a critical time for the Confederateforces; but the reader will note that a retreating force, knowing where it hasto go and having to look for nothing except an attack on its rear, always moveswith more freedom than a pursuing force. This is especially so where thecountry is covered with woods and thickets, and the roads are narrow.Advancing forces always have to feel their way for fear of being ambushed.

The speed made by our forces from Corinth during the 5th was not to myliking, but with such a commander as McPherson in the advance, I could notdoubt that it was all that was possible. On the 6th better progress was made.From Jonesborough, on October 7th, I telegraphed General Grant:

“ Do not, I entreat you, call Hurlbut back; let him send away his wounded. It surely iseasier to move the sick and wounded than to remove both. I propose to push the enemy, sothat we need but the most trifling guards behind us. Our advance is beyond Ruckersville.Hamilton will seize the Hatchie crossing on the Ripley road to-night. A very intelligent,honest young Irishman, an ambulance driver, deserted from the rebels, says that they wishedto go together to railroad near Tupelo , where they will meet the nine thousand exchangedprisoners, but he says they are much scattered and demoralized. They have much artillery.”

From the same place, at midnight, after learning from the front thatMcPherson was in Eipley, I telegraphed General Grant as follows:

“ General : Yours 8:30 p. m. received. Our troops occupy Ripley. I most deeply dissentfrom your views as to the manner of pursuing. We have defeated, routed, and demoralizedthe army which holds the Lower Mississippi Valley. We have the two railroads leading downtoward the Gulf through the most productive parts of the State, into which we can now pursuethem with safety. The effect of our return to old position will be to pen them up in the onlycorn country they have west of Alabama , including the Tuscumbia Valley, and to permit themto recruit their forces, advance and occupy their old ground, reducing us to the occupation of adefensive position, barren and worthless, with a long front, over which they can harass us untilbad weather prevents an effectual advance except on the railroads, when time, fortifications,