Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-06-05
THE sEIGE OF coRrNrH.

Correspondence of Chicago Tribune.
g On Wednesday. the 2Sth Of May. there
was heavy cannonading during the entire
day. At ten o'clock in the morning. a
force of Federal infantry were thrown ont
to plant. 24-pound Parrot gun upon. an
eniuence commanding a piece of timber on
orr left. which sheltered the rebel regiment,
who SO continually and persistcntly annoy
ed us. The enemy discovering our inten-
tions, advanced body Of troops 10 take
the gun. Our forces were Immediately
drawn up in line of battle to await their
approach. Not q man stirred from the
ranks until the enemy approached within
fifty yards of our lines. when Col. Purcell
ordered the 9th Minnesota to charge bayo-
nets. To man. with bayonets fixed,
they moved forward 1t was magnifi-
cent charge. Onward they moved with
stea dy tread and unbroken ranks. needing
not the volleys which were pourel into
their midst so destrnctively. what matter
ed il il their comrades were made to bite
the dust? What matter If the death deal
ing rifle left hlge gaps in their ,anks?-
They closed up and marched on. Terri
bly, did they avenge their fallen comrades.
Ninety rebels were killed outright in that
wonderful charge. Hundreds were wound
ed. and the enemy fed in ignoble confusion.
A Ieble prisoner captured the next day.
who was himself one of those most severe
ly wounded. gives this as the Confederate
loss. The casualties to the 9th Minnesota
did not exceed forty in killed and wounded.
This is new regiment, and this the first
occasion they have been able to show the
material of which they are made. rhe re-
suit is highly creditable to the gallant
freedom loving Minnesotians. The enc.
my repulsed. and the gun in position all
day long. the woods were shelled snd the
rebels driven from theie shelter. ~
Wednesday morning council of war
was called, in which all the generals par
ticipated One result reached, was the
determination to make general advance
on Thursday. Another, was the conclu-
sion to send Col. Elliott OF the 81 Iowa
cavalry. with eleven companies Of his own
command, and eight companies of the 81
Michigan cavalry. upon an expedition to
the south Of Corinth. His instructions
were to leave the left of the federal lines
and proceed eastwardly. till near the Ala
bama line; thence in southerly direction
until he reached railroad bridge on the
Mobile and Ohio railroad. where that road
crosses one Of the branches of the Little
Tombigbee River. to burn the bridge and
destroy the railroad for mile in either d.
rccion; thence to move northward, make
the circuit of the country around Corinth.
and report to Gen. Sherman on the right.
In the event that he found his progress
north impcded by any considerable Con-
Tolerate army, he was ordered to make the
best of his way to the Mississippi River
and join and cooperate with Commodore
Farragut's gunboat fleet. 1t was to cover
this movement of Col. Elliott that the en-
tire line was to make demonstration mp
on CoriEth Early Thursday morning
Col. Elliott started upon his expedition.
which If he has not been captured l.y the
retreating rebels. he has undoubtedly ac-
complished before this. fsrEefl
At six o'clock Thursday morning the
troops were formed in line Of battle, with
three days rations in their havcrsacks.-
Col. Purcell's brigade made the first attack
upon the enemy, which was done with
such spirit that lie incontinently fled. a.
bandoHing with great precipitancy the rifle
pits and entertainments occupied the pre-
ceiling night This was accomplished by
eight o'clock.
A heavy fire was then opened along the
whole Federal line, which was replied 10
with great spirit for several hours. after
which the enemy ceased, anil after a little
while all was quiet and we.were resting on
our laurcs. 1t was at this time. probably.
that the bulk OF the Conlederstetroops lief.
Corinth.
Later in the day the bombariment was
resumed. without eliciting any reply
This was continued at intervals during the
night. with like results.
Friday morning the ilca seemed first TO
strike the generals that Corinth was posi-
bly, evacuated; and scouts were sent for
ward to ascertain if il was not true. They
soon returned with the news. and speedily
the army was in motion 30 the music of ma
tional anthems. They marched past the
rebel Notifications. into the city Of Corinth.
and soon the glorious old banner was wa
wing from the summit of the court house.
As its brilliant folds were unfurled in
the glad breeze of that bright morning. a
loud cheer of exultation leaped from fifty
thousand throats. baptising in an ocean Of
sound the flag Of The Union.
An examination of the Notifications
showed that their strength had been vastly
overestimated. 1t was the Quaker guns of
Manassas farce re-enacted at Corsnsh. a
determine assault would have carried the
place at any time. and bagged the enemy.
The town itself was barren Of men and ro-
PIXIES. Not gun remained. Everything
Of value. excepting small warehouse filed
with commissary stores was removed. or
destroyed. burning buildings and the smok-
ing remnants of provisions and bridges in
Dictated the recent evacuation. and the rum
bling Of the ears in the distanc almost
within the limits of the town. showed how
the rebels had departed,
A cavalry force. with two pieces ofartil-
lery. was sent TO follow the fleeing Cen
federates. bat cavalry is no match for To-
comotives, and they probably mostly es.
capped. There was . rumor that S.eoO
stragglers were captured. This is the
feast, the enjoyment Of which has been SO
l1o n.ox,;sed fhe loval citizens of