The remaining companies of the 17th Regiment were at Corinth, Mississippi, with the Army of the West. At Corinth, John Griffith was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, commanding what was now a battalion-sized 17th Arkansas. Under Lieutenant Colonel Griffith's leadership, the unit performed so well at the Battle of Corinth that General Hebert wrote, in his after-action report: "Under my personal supervision no one faltered, no one hesitated to meet the foe, even in hand-to-hand conflict if required. I must, however, put into the positon [sic] of brave and true men the small numbers of the Fourteenth and Seventeenth Arkansas Regiments of Infantry, of the Second Brigade, upon whom past circumstances had cast a doubt. Nobly, heroically have they proven themselves true patriots and brave soldiers." Another account stated: "All the duties in camp, on the march, and in the field the regiment has so promptly performed and are unsurpassed in any service for good breeding, soldierly deportment, description, drill, bravery, and patriotism. The officers are pattern gentlemen, brave soldiers, and noble patriots." Clearly, the 17th Arkansas had left the cloud of Pea Ridge behind them.