The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-06-11


write to tell you that the great excitement in regard
to the anticipated decisive sattle has reached its
eliminating point this morning. Southern chival-
~ has again melted beccrc the Northern blast
Corinth, the great sarety-valve Of Mississippi. Is
evacuated, and Brother Jonathan now stands in her
deserted streets contemplating a hasiy pursuit OF
the flying fugitiyes, Bag and baggage, guns and
provisions, sick and well are all among the missing.
Although not bloodlcss victory, it is ours with
comparatively a small loss as We expected here 10
meet desperate resistance by men urged on 10y
the last tLres ofdesperation such is their devoted
love Cor their hearhstoues, mothers, children aud
wives They, after declaring that they have made
weapons of destruction out of all their old scythes
aud files to welcome the Yankees with bloody
graves, Hy at the first appearance of the enemy be-
tore the portals Of their gates. .-f'
We had advanced by degrees on this stronghold
Of the rebels until collision became inevitable
Gen. Pope met little oppostiun at Pennington
which he shortly overcome, and the whole time lay
within miles Of Corinth, in the form Of crescent
Gen. Thomas holding position the right, Gen.
Pope the left, and Gen Buell. in the center This
| position was taken on the l9th and although the
enemy became very uneasy at this wholesale intru
sion he gave but little trouble aud the work of
fortifying went on briskly and after with much dii
| fculty getting the heavy sege guns across the
swamps, and into position, the Northerners were
| ready for seige.
Late on the evening Of the 27th, we received or
| ders to get two days ratous ready by early morn
| ing, which TO the soldier always means something.
About o'clock =. VI. ON the 2Sth we fell into line
| and marched out Gen. Nelson occupying the cen
ter of Buells force, and the 2ad Brigade in the ad
vance. We formed in line of battle about one-halt
I IL r.. g. u
| swamp of heavy growth of matted brush and br-
ers where it was almost impossible to make head
way. large party of skirmishers having been
previously thrown out now fell in with the enemy s
! pickets, and n brisk firing commenced. We now
came 10 an open field where we halted, Capt. Men
denhalrs battery taking position right. Vol
leys of muSketry rolled away from the right, left
and front, plainly telling that our skirmshers were
in game country. The bullets now few thiCkly
over our heads. Crittcnden on the left and Thorn
on our right opened on them with artillery and
heavy vOlleys of musketry filling the short inter
vals sounding like the peliing of hail on the
house roof between the heavy claps Of thunder in
furious storm
The tempest grew fercer on the left every mo-
ment; wounded men were being carried of every
vUlley; additional batteries opening fire, and
all things pointed to the near approach Of the long
contemplated bloody battle, with the chances splcn
ddly in our favor, rs we had gained mile
but the day was well nigh spent, and Gen. Buell.
and Staff rode along the lines giving some direc
tions that we did not hear, but before midnight We
were supplied with shOvels and picks, and ere the
, curlained shades ot night had left US were in.
side OF fine intrenchments ready for call from oui
: Corinth neighbors. We had mistaken them, how.
ever for they were not as sociabe us we expected
to find them. They never called ON in our new
quarters.
Their bands gave us some very fine music at rev.
ille the next morning. Among the airs played was
''Hunl,, Sweet Home" l could not help admrinl
the music, though despising tue Jirds that sung.
We spent the 29th strengthening our works an
preparing for an attack. There was but little ii
! ring during the day, prisoners reported thu,
thcy wcrS shipping their sick the at the rstI
| OF from to III trains day.
Gen. Halleck ordered general advance on tn,
morning of the 30th. On the previous evening i
great light was to be seen III the direction of Cor
inth, and during the night the ears kept an unuSua
rumblng and booming, and about four O'Clock thu
next morning d terrific explosion took place, ant
one after another followed, heavy enough 10 Shak
&, down the walls of Jericho, and making the whole
, forest quiver. In less than two hours our troop
were in town and the Federal cOlors fOated defiant
ly over Beaurtgard's Head Quarters, and our cav
{ airy was pushing forward on all the out roads,
the place almost totally deserted and we foun
but little valuable TO army. What they cou,
i not take they had blown up or burned.
: We have captured about 100 struggling prisoner
4 up to the time write. There may nave been 9th
er parties near. Some of the citizens report tn
rebels to have taken several different roads. IL ap
Il pears that they consider they have played prett
c sharp trick on Gen. Hdlleck. Suspended by tn
;. neck 70 the limb of tree a huge etfgy, in a.
y the apparent stiffness of death; paper pinned t
. the back with the words "Halleck outwitted OF
what will Abe say ?
i Our troops followed them immediately, and tc
a day, the 3lst, heavy firing is going in the d
rection of Florence. Gen. Pope may have come u
y with them. This escape Of the rebels, though n,
e such result as we might wish, is much great,
disaster to the enemy than might generally be SUI
posed.
What can be the effect of reading the followin
order to troops, and precipitate retreat four day
c after:
,s ".SoLDIERs Of the Department of the Mississippi
at Cornth you are now the Threshold Of I'll
great State of Aississipp powerful enemy is bea
III ing down upon you; lie must be checked; you al
e able to check him and drive him from yeur Stat
Defeat is rum. This is the last great battle Wit
victory we are a free people. Your all is at stal
Fe Your homes and your families. Death is mo-
y desirable than defeat" &c.
Is Such were few OF the particulars got from
i prisoner, who also gave me much other valuab
=" information about their 5, liers and camp. /
Is says that the soldiers are anxious to fight and
IN getting greatly disheartened.
20 A glance at the map will readily convince al
one OF the loss they have sustained by the occup
'' ton of this place by our troops. 1t has been
ii place for distributing organizing and drilling troo
nd from Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and jun
- tiun ofimportant railroads, besides "A strong poi
Nv of defense, and its evacuation is only another pro
oi their lhaDiIlty 10 Getd position stfuDR enough
We hold their largest army against the shock OF t
~. Union soldiers.
There is little doubt but Halleck will be censur
10 for allowing Beauregard 10 escape. A calculati
1t mind, with only small amount of military 10
-p- must know that to surround an army in the op
field, with the rear unobsIructed, requires at lie,
~ double the force Of the beleaguered party, as
no two armies lay and with the advantages with viii
lte they were favored, We could only give them bat
ad with the chances of losing the most men, and ga
> ing but little in the end.
're The troops are not to lie idle. There is a mo
on,toot already, and Halleck will be heard soon
the SeeeSh In voice more terrible than thun
{. W. f.