Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18
THE BATTLE OF CoRINTH.

Details of the great battle fought at Pitts
burgh Landing on the Tennessee are slow Il
reach us. 1t is now stated that the loss o
our forces is from GOO to 900 killed suC
1900 to / 900 wounded, instead Of 10000
and the first report Of the loss OF the enemy
will undoubtedly prove equally exaggerated
Probably. it was the most desperate battle
| yet fought on this continent. Beauregard
| attempted the same thing that Zolllcofiel
tried at Mill Spring, and attacked Gen
Grant hoping to defeat him before Buell
with his forces could arrive. The success Oi
the first days fighting was with the rebels,
our forces being driven back to the river
their camps occupied by the rebels and 3G
field guns taken, besides many prisoners.
There the fire of our gunboats gave Grant
time to rally his forces.
During the night reinforcements arrived,
swelling the Federal troops to the number
of $4,000 men, and by two O'Clock, the
camps were retaken and the guns lost the
day before. with forty of the enemy's guns,
and in two hours after the whole rebel force,
broken beyond hope of rallying was in full
flight to Corinth.
The first days battle lasted fifteen hours
and was most desperate. Gen. Prentiss who
was first attacked, was posted about five miles
from the river with several raw regiments.
lie was taken prisoner with two regiments.
The next morning our forces opened the at
tack, and the fight grew hotter and hotter
all day, our forces under Buell. hanking the
enemy. while Grant pressed them back IN
fl mt Unexampled deeds Of bravery were
performed. The rebels knew that their last
chance Of success was in the balance, and
fought brlvely but the superior numbers
and courage Of our men oYercaIAe them, and
the splendid charge Of Gen. Grant with his
five chosen regiments broke their lines be-
yond help. Six Of our batteries weIe taken
and retaken six times during that days fight.
1t is said that Gen. Beauregard had given
orders not to destroy any Of the camp equip
age taken Sunday, as he expected a complete
victory the next day. Rebel prisoners say
that Beauregard made a speech to lis troops
before entering the fight, saying '' he would
water his horse in the Tennessee river or in
Hell-and that the fight before them was
Hell, unless successful"
Beaureglrd lost an arm in the battle Of
Monday, and Gen. Johnston, accounted the
ablest General in the rebel army, was left
dead upon the field. Many Of our officers
were killed: Their exposure Of themselves
was almost reckless, and that many more
were not killed is marvellous.
The battlefield was a little south Of Savan-
nah. where our forces have been posted for
some time. on the other side of the Tenncs-
see. The rebels advanced from Corinth-
formerly called Farmington-where their
forces had been for some time gathering, q
distance OF % mules from Savannah.
One report says that they have abandoned
their works at Corinth, and are still fleeing.
pursued by Gen. Buell's cavalry.
The result of the battle will be the entire
demoralization of the rebel forces in the
Southwest. Their finest army, commanded
by their best generals, has been utterly
beaten Which way they may fly Is the
only question. They may find New Orleans
in our possession. when they reach it. VIII
they 90 eastward. to the Carolinas and VIr-
ginia, and giving up the South and the
West attempt to concentrate around Rich
mond? The Gauls they despised are almost
at ITS gates, and its fall is sure. The capture
of Fort Donelson was not half so disastrous
to the rebel cause as our victory at Corinth.