The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-04

order OF battle save that occasions several pad
breaks OPENINGS left between different corfs as
they advanced Between this point and Monterey sevc
raj lines OF intrenchmeuts thrown up no position
being left unprotected by kind OF earthworR OF
abaitis Our final line made nearly week SINCE
within Smelling distance Of the eremys works, ana a.
most within range OF the centre Of the town oil sorn
These works made stronger than usual as ~ was
thought that the rebels might make sortie IN forco
upon position and attempt TO break our lines Ngu'
night along whole front the men lay upon the
ready to put them to service at moments ~a'h-
ing Artillery horses were kept in harness ana staining
at the mbers; and so prudent many OF the COM
that in batteries they allowed but snge
to be absent water at any one time An immense
picket force thrown out and orders issued 70 stop
the ordinary picket firing and discharge pieces only wnsn
here was an actual Of the enemy towards our
lines This was designed to aid us in getting warning
the should any actually occur and the
firing a musket to be the signal for rush oarms
The lines of the opposing armies were SO noar that re-
ports the enemys rifles often mistaken for our
own, and many needless alarms was the consequent
result The arrangement served to keep the army con-
s;antly on the watch for hostile demonstrations, and,
though it might add to the fatigue OF the troops, It rem
dered it impossible TO take us by surprise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY.
The ground over which we have moved during the
past six weeks has often been described IN general
terms by writer's from tho Shiloh battle field. AT
Pittsburg Landing nearly twenty miles TO our rear
the bluffs at the rivers edge rise abruptly upwards Of
hundred feet In height Back of these bus the high
land stretches away from the stream and rs cut up by
numerous ravines their general course being pafael 70
each other at right angles with the These ravnes
form IN the rainy the waterscourses OF the re-
gion and in early April the abundant sources from
rhf nm their SUNNY OF AT
present they generally dry and pafched though in
some Of them water be obtained by digging. The
high ground is not level, but undulates gently,
embracing in its wavy outlines the ravines running
back from the river that four or five miles from the
banks of the they arbsorbed and disappear
Farther inland the country becomes moro broken, pre-
senng surface Of rough ridges and steep banked
ravnes level areas, extending two or three miles in
either direction valleys through which meander small
and sluggish streams, and an occasionally rolling OK
panse like the Ightest swell Of the ocean waves,
made fixed and permanent Over all this ex-
tent Of country nature has thrown heavy
growth of oak and hickory, usually with but little
undcrbrush. The for thu most part tall and
stately and Of that almost makes those Of many
portions Of the far East appear like shrubs, Their
foliage, which is in the height OF its summer beau
ty Of that rich dark tint peculiar to the land Of the
cypress and myrtle and rarely under the colder sky
OF the North. But little of this timber has been cut
away and the from Ptspurg Corinth stretches
almost unbroken in its wild luxurance. An occasional
cotton field reveals itself, but far less
than q tenth Of the land has been disturbed
even by an enclosure. Near Cornth farms occur
frequently than elsewhere and in the vicinity Of
the town swamp is encountered OF considerable extent
which forms the margin of q dimnutive brook, exung
the appellationo OF Ten Mile creek The retirement Of
the enemy from this swamp enabled us to bridge it
whatever point chose and construct any number 0.
roads to liking Crossing this swamp high ground isl
reached, with few projecting hills, and, continuing on
find Cornth, pleasant swell Of land, with two
considerable elevations within it's limits and an i'm
passable swamp for its southern boundary.
MOVEMENTS EARLY IN THE WEEK.
On Monday the 9th inst word brought into camp
that Beaursgard was evacuang Corinth; that be had
ordered his commssary and be
sent away, after distributing five days rations to the
army He had already commenced the shipment Of his
heavy guns and OF his evidently
designed for artillery OF larger cabre, known to
be mounted with light twelve Founders Fire from
time to time opened by our batteries, to which
the response was comparatively feeble. The
my's pickets were strengthened, and presented
unbroken front wherever We attempted TO survey
them, and as far appearances went towards
ceivng their line, gave evidence Of Strengthening
rather than Of diminution. Though they acted in
cordance with rule to avoid picket shooting much
possible, they nevertheless opened q severe FIRE
whenever ono of bold enough to step half
dozen PAGES in front Of his post Desertes from the
encmys ranks became few and far between, owing
partly to tho powerful picket guard thrown out, and
partly to the removal OF large portion Of the army
that there literally nothing left to desert
from. The few stragglers that did come In
brought various reports, most OF them averrng
that attack would be made upon early Wed
nesday or Thursday morning, and that might lock
immense force to be thrown against u.s. Tho
OF the week give strong grounds for suspicion
that these DISORDERS purposey deceive
and put force the defensive to prevent posi-
bty OF attacking them a retreat. We carefully
awaited their onset, while they quietly removing
TO point. Skrmshng TO a considerable
extent took place Monday afternoon, principally on
the left Of lines evidently designed TO prevent
Pope from advancing occupation OF rebel works IN
his front. Gen. Thomas corps the right was also
slightly engaged the close Of the Afternoon but the
centre was comparatively undisturbed.
OPERATIONS ruEsDAy.
Early on Tuesday morning shot from twelve pound
or on the rebel right opened the engagement OF the ay
front Of Gen. Pope The latter officer Immediately re-
piled from his heavy guns in position, and one time
ordered out his infantry to charge upon the enemy
works. He was exceedingly anxious to make an ad.
vance, and felt the fullest confidence that he could
conquer peace his fr,nt, and occupy tho rebel in
trenehments. But the orders from General Haleck
most positive in forbdding engagement TO be
brought under any circumstances and General Pope
was obliged to restrain his ardor and content hmssl,
with ordering his troops into stationary line Of battle
Light skirmshng kept up At intervals during the
day and the irregular cracking or muskstry was often
ssncsd by the deeper OF siege guns and field ars
ery Of the heavier cabres Occasionally there could DO
ssen the glinting Of long files Of bayonets
along tho edge Of the timber that marked the
rebel front, aud troops often stood in OK.
pectation Of a dash from the which shel-
tered their enemy. They were doomed to dsappoiut
ment for attempt made TO drive back our front
and the nsugen forces appeared only despous Of hold
ing their ground secure from attack or threat An