Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-02
Letter from Captain Downs.
CAMP McELRoY, NEAR PIrrsBURGH. J
TENNESSEE, MARCH 10. 1862

hetIsr from captain Downs.
CAMP McELRoY, NEAR PITTSBURGH.
TENNESSEE, MARCH 10, 1862.
Editors CHronicLe In my last communi-
cation we were on our way up the Ten
nessee, bound for some point unknown to
me, but of the object and destination of
u part of the expedition, l can give YOU
some information. Corinth, a place
where the railroad from Columbus. XIV.
to Mobile, crosses the one from Memphis
eastward, is where we are now concentrat-
ing our efforts. At Savannah the fleet di-
vided lit consisting of three divisions.
and ours the lst) proceeded on up the
river, under command of Gen. w. T.
Sherman, preceded only by a gun-boat.
We moved along very slowly and eau
tiously, and during the whole day we
made only about 80 miles, where we tied
up in the State of Mississippi, two miles
below Eastport. That night several tbou-
sand troops were landed and started for
Corinth, but unfortunately the rain had
been falling necessarily for thirty-six
hours, and when the troops had advanced
about four miles, they encountered a
stream Of water that had become so much
swollen as to sweep off the only bridge by
which it could be passed, and they were
obliged to return. The water rose so rap
idly that a bayou which was easily ford
ed in the morning was impossible for ar
tillery, and RATS had to be constructed of
the boat planks before it could be got
back; and by four o'clock, P. NJ, the
whole fiat, or island on which the troops
landed, vas completely inundated. Here
we were completely foiled in our first at
tempt. That night we dropped down the
river below the mouth of the above men
toned creek to this place. The next day
Sunday was spent in grading roads up
the banks of the river, so that the artiI-
lery and transportations could be got off.
and by Monday morning at daylight y
or $1,000 troops were on their way to re-
conoiter and find out the strength of the
enemy. They advanced 70 miles, but en-
countered no resistance; but enough was
ascertained to know that our delay had
enabled the enemy to concentrate a large
force. Our troops returned to this vicin-
ity to-day, and all have been busily en-
gagged in unloading the stores from the
steamer.
Our division contains about $4,000
troops, and a reinforcement of u, 900 came
up to-day. 1t is quite probable that the
other two divisions will act in concert
with us. They stopped at Savannah, 10
or II miles below here. When we get
possession of Corinth, we cut off all rein
forcements on their principle railroad con-
nections from the East and South to
Memphis. Chattanooga, in eastern Ten
nessee, is another point that Gen. Buell.
is after, which sustains the same relation
to Charleston and Savannah, that Corinth
does to Mobile. The rebels commenced
fortifying themselves at this point after
the evacuation of Fort Henry, but the
gunboats on their first trip up the river to
Florence, threw a few shells among them.
and they left. Capt. Burroughs artillery
is here, and l was fortunate enough to
run on to some of the Warren boys
Yesterday | received a package of letters
from friends, and also a bundle of Chron-
%icles," for which you have my heartiest
thanks. l was also very much surprised
to receive a commission as Captain, dated
Feb. 10Th. Eight commissions were re-
ceived in the Regiment, at the same time,
making as many promotions. LIST Lieut..
VIM. Rogers, Co. A, Captain; End Lieut..
L. n. Ayers, to lst Lieutenant 1st Sergt.
Peter Weatherly, to 2nd Lieutenant End
Lieut.. Conrad Garris, Co. E, to LIST Lieut..
and lst Sergt. R. j. Irwin, to End Lieut..
LIST Lieut.. E. C. Downs, Co. II, to Captain:
2nd Lient. H. NJ. Davis, to lst Lieut., and
LIST Sergt. Heman H. Sherwin, to End
Lieutenant. The weather is warm and
pleasant, and the peach and plumb trees
are in blossom. Two boys who had been
left at the hospital joined us here, viz,
Hezekiah Christ, from Hospital at Chic:-
go, and Thomas Gilmore, from Hospital
st. Louis.
l am in hopes to date my next in Mis-
Yours Respectfully,
E. c. DowSs,