The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-10-15
THE BATTLE Az CORENTEH.

IuC plGsIub Wal " " dlN AbAA AASAAA SN'i
sources that our victory is complete, that
,he rebels are routed and demoralized,
and that Rosencrans and Hurlbut are both
in pursuit of the fugacious horde.
The attack did not come suddenly or
unexpectedly. 70 has been knoaon jon
aceehs that an effort ocould BE- made to
retahe CorintA. The pride of the South
and the pressing necessities Of Prices
army conspired to form a strong motive
for the attempt.
Could Corinth be taken, Bolivar, jack
son, Trenton and Humbolt must fall IN
their turn, and West Tennessee be purged
of federal invaders Besides,it was known
that the government had large commits
sary and quartermasters' stores there,
which would furnish Prices ragged men
with the essentials for standing the tren-
chant blasts that already begin to fnd
their way down from the North.
To effect this desirable result, the reb-
els have been concentrating for several
weeks. Nearly two weeks ago Lowell
and Van Dorm marched up past Holly
Springs with about fifteen thousand men
to Ripley, at or near which place they
formed a junction with Price.
This force was considered sufficient to
take Corinth, as it was known that Buell.
had taken part of the troops from that
point aud that several regiments and bat.
teries had been sent to Wright at Cincin-
natl. Furthermore, Grant had increased
the garrison at jackson from the same
source.
The rebel plan was to march to Poca-
hontas, on the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad, cross the Hatchie river near
there, pass on to Chevalla, twelve miles
| from Corinth, throwing out a colnmn
north to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad,
to tear up the track and thus cut off rein
forcements from Jackson, when they
would proceed to take the coveted prize
at their leisure.
This plan was carefully carried out, and
so sure Of success were the rebels that
they burned the bridge over the Hatchio
after crossing over, not expecting to need
| it in retreat, and they furthermore wished
to secure themselves from an attack by
Hurlbut in their rear.
Friday evening they drove our pickets
in and attacked the freight train on the
Mobile and Ohio road. It is believed
the train succeeded in getting into Cor
iuth. It consisted OF twenty cars laden
with commissary stores. They then tore
up the track, about twelve miles from
Corinth, and 80 the matter rested till
Saturday morning.
Early in the morning Price made
| fierce and determined attack on our right,
near the entrance of the Mobile aud Ohio
Railroad to the town. This attack was
intended as feint, as the main body Of
the rebels under Van Dorm were on cur
left, concealed in the low ground behind
College Hill The ruse, however, did not
succeed. The contest lasted until half
past eleven o'clock 4. NJ.
The enemy drove in our caDtre, and
large number of them penetrated to the
| Covinth House. The most desperate
fighting took place in the public square
of the town. 1t is sal to be literally
covered with the dead. Finally they
were driven out at the point OF the bayo-
net, and General Hamilton secured the
centre with two regiments.
Van Dorm and Loye'l made q most de-
termiued attack on the extreme left, near
the Chovalia read. They led their men
to the attack through tie abattis Two
Of their columns reached the ditch, and
the other Two stopped net fifty PAGES
from it,
During their advance perfect storm
of grape and canister was poured upon
them When, however, despite the fierce
resistance, they lad reached the point
above indicated, The Twenty y-soventh Ohio
and Eleventh Missouri made charge
on them. This was too much for their
staggering columns. Many of them fell
down, and, holding up their hands, beg
ged for mercy. The Seventh Missouri,
First Kansas and Wisconsin regiment
reached break in the read, disembarked
from the cars, marched to the scene of
action, and cut their way through the
enemy's lines aud entered CoriOth just as
the battle closed. Price withdrew to the
deep cut in the Memphis and Charleston
read, aud remained there TIL after dark
Saturday evening, when he retreated to
the hills between the forks OF the Hatchie
river. There is no doubt out that he
intended further movement IN the same
direction next day; bat movement had
been made which efectualIy cut him off
Gen. Hurlbut had started from Bolivar
at two o'clock on Saturday morning, and
was now directly in his front, and in pos
session of the only road leading to Ripley.