Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-09
From COrinth.

Prom COrinth.
We conversed with a gentleman last evening
direct from Corinth, who confirms the statements
made by Major MCDONALD, which we copy from
the Chicago Post. He represents the army as
being much disappointed in not having met the
enemy at COrinth, as there was every confidence
that a battle would have been attended with de
cisive results favorable to the Union cause. The
evacuation Of Corinth prolOngs the war, while the
overthrow of the rebel army there would have
been a blow at the rebellion from which it could
not have recovered. Our informant states that
the Geographic reports in regard to the circum-
stances attending the occupation of COrinth are
very much exaggerated. But a few prisoners
and only a mall amount of property were
taken. The enemy succeeded in making a pref
ty clean sweep. Whittier the rebel army has
disappeared is a mystery and even Gen. HALLEoK
would like to have his curiosity in this regard
satisfied. Our forces were held back too long.
Several of the division Generals were anxious
that an attack should have been made several
days before it was determined upon, but they
were overruled. On Thursday, at midnight, the
order was given for the attack, and early on Fri
day morning the advance was made, but no OBJ
structions we're found. The enemy were not at
COrinth. The boosted Notifications at this re-
ported stronghold were mostly castles in the air.
The famous in~trenchments were no better than
those General NELSON had constructed in a few
hours.
Our informant says that che army hate abOli
tionism and the men are bitter upon the politi
clans who are urging radical measures which will
even prolong the war for 4 day, and which can
have no other tendency. While they express no
doubt as to the constitutionality of the law abol-
isling slavery in the District of Columbia, they
regard its enactment as i'll timed and inexpedient.
They know practically there is no fun in war,
especially in the climate to which they are now
exposed and in a country which can furnish them
none of the means of subsistence. The food is
mainly hard bread, and hard at that, and fat
meat. The roads are suffOcatingly dusty, the
water miserable and the streams fast drying up
These causes tend to enervate the army and inca
pacitate the men to endure fatigue.
The enemy we're well advised as to the condi-
ton of affairs in our camp. From the prisoners
taken, it was ascertained that the rebels had
scouts through our lines who kept the rebel Gen
erals informed of our Although a
number of our men were willing to engage in this
dangerous duty, and thus ascertain the condition
of the rebel army, scouting was prohibited by
our Generals, and we we're left in ignorance of
the condition of the rebel army. Our line of
battle was fifteen miles, and we had at least one
hundred and fifty thousand men in fighting con-
dition, well armed, well equipped, and plenty of
ammunition. All the preparations for a battle
had been made at a cost of not less than fifty
millions of dollars, but we found no enemy. This
is not the generalship which will speedily end the
rebellion. There must be different work from this,
or else that fine army may be wasted by the su-
perior strategy of the enemy. The Tennessee
river is rapidly falling, and this now only source
for the supply of the army cannot be much lon
ger depended upon. Even the possession of
Memphis and the railroad to COrinth might not
furnish the means to supply the immense host at
Corinth.
The officers and men alike think that Con-
gress had better cease agitating impracticable
schemes, such as emancipation and confscation,
and devote its attention and energies to speedily
ending the war. Every days delay sends thou
sands to the grave by disease. When the rebel
lion is put down, then without passion and with
an eye single to the best interests of the country,
the negro and kindred questions can be disposed
of as public policy may demand. Such are the
views of the truly patriotic men who are in the
field at Corinth, and the opinions of the men who
thus attest their devotion to the Government
should be needed. If not now, their voice will be
heard at a future time.