New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-02

two and three thousand including almost the entire
18th Louisiana, are in our lines now.
Many of them are desertes, and tho balance have
been captured since the evacuation.
United States military telegraph line was COM
pleted to this point tonight.
CAIRO, May 81, 1862.
A Memphis refugee, who left there q fortnight ago
Tuesday, arrived to-day. He says the Rebels have
500 artersts garrisoning the FORTS and says thas
in consequence Of scarcity Of coal, most Of tho
Rebel gunbosts have been abandoned and their guns
taken to Fulton and Fort Randolph.
A Arorg pontoon bridge has been constructed BY
the Rebels in the rear of Fort Wright, over which
retreat when necessary can be made.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, May 81, 1861
The following dispatch received the War Department
this morning:
HsApauARrxRs. CAxP MAR CoHxrH,)
Hon. e. H. sravros Secretary Of War.
SIR: The enemy's position and works In front Of
Corinth were exceedingly strong. He cannot occupy
stronger position in his flight. This morning he
destroyed an immense amount of public and privat~
property, stores, provisions, wagons, tents, sc.
For miles out of the town the roads are filed with
arms, haversacks, &c., thrown away by his fleeing
troops. A large number of prisoners and deserters
have been captured estimated by Gen. Pope ae
1000. Gen. Beauregard evidently distrusts hD
army, or he would have defended so strong posi-
ton. His troops are generally much discouraged and
demoralized. In all the engagements for the last
few days. their resistance has been slight.
II. w. HALLECK. Ms. Gen. Commanding
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. W. T. SHERMAN
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTEST
FOR TIE POSSESSION OF RUSsELL'S HOUSE.
'HsADQUAKTBRs FIyrn DIVISION Army or TIE 1rssnssEs
CAMP ssPokR CORIsfH, May Is, 1852 J.
Capt Go E. FLrsr, A's'sant AdjutaatGs c"if y
SIR: have the honor to report that, in compile
ance with the purpose of Major-General Halleck, 40
explained at the interview OF the 18th instant Gen.
Thonas being present, made all possible inquiry as
to the topography Of the ground in my front, with its
water.courses, fields, and roads, aud on the Nth
made dispositions to drive the enemy from his pon"
ton st Russell house
requested Gen. Hurbut to put in motion tive
regiments and battery OF artillery, at o'clock p.
u., on the road which passes the front of his line
and runs TO Russelrs house. l ordered Gen. Denver
to take rght-hand road with two regiments OF his
brigade and ono battery of light artillery, viz the
10Th and ~ Ohio, and Barrett's battery, and gave
him guide 60 conduct his march az TO arrive ON
the lett Of the euemys position by the time he was
engaged in front; and ordered Gen. Morgan l..
Smiths brigade, with Bottoms battery, to follow
the main road, drive back brigade OF the enemy's
forces that held the position at Russels with their
skirmishers and pickets, down to the causeway aud
bridge across a small stream about eight hundred
yards this side of Russels house, supposed TO be
branch Of Bridge Creek.
All these forces were put in motion at p. M,
Gen. Denvers forces taking the right-hand road
and Con. Smiths the direct main road. On reach
ing the causew ay, Gen. Smith deployed his skir.
"A ii kssa 1uop vvorA
The column advanced, and the skirmishers became
engaged at once. The firing was very brisk, but
the enemy's pickets were driven steadily back till
they reached the position Of their brigade ct
RusselPs House, where their resistance was
obstinate.
The ground was unfavorable to artillery till tho
sklrmjshers had cleared the hill beyond the
way when Major Taylor. Chief Of Artillery, cd.
vancsd fret one of Bouton's guns, and very soon
after the remaining three guns of the battery.
These, upon reaching the hill top commenced firing
at RUSSELL. house aud out.houses 10 which the enc
nv had taken shelter, when their whole force re-
treated and full possession obtained Of RueselPs
house and the ground for three hundred yards IN "a.
vance, where the roads meet. This was the limit %
which had ordered the brigade 10 go, and there 10
was halted. The head OF Gen. Denver's column
reached is position ~ Vie enemy was beginning 70
retreat.
General Morgan L. Smith conducted the advance
of his brigade Handsomely, and the chief work and
Missouri and 55,h Illinois. leave to him the full
credit of conducting the advance, and Of carrying
the position at Russelps. He held the ground till
about daylight next morning, when, by my order,
he lett strong picket there, and placed his brigade
back a short distance in easy support where 1t re-
manned until relieved by another brigade.
From Russells we could hear distinctly the drums
beating IN Corinth. Tie house is nearly two miles
from NE, and about one and quarter miles from
the euenys outer intrenchments, and tie position,
though important. is too exposed for single brig.
ade, with our line disposed as at present. Gen.
Hurbut has two companies az RusselPs and two
regiments along the edge OF field which lies TO tho
east of Russells hoHse. This house ia now the ad.
vance picket station in our front, and have chain
of sentineIs round by the right to point on the
Purdy and Corinth road, where 1t joins on to the
pickets Of Gen. McClernand.
There was no loss sustaIped by Gen. Hurlbut or
Denver's commands in their flank movements on
Russelps; but the loss in Gen. Morgan q Smiths
brigade was pretty Leavy-lO killed and 81 wounds
ed a list of whom will accompany this report. Iho
Coufederates lett ~ dead on the ground, whom wa
buried They removed their wounded, Of which
many traces were on the ground and in the house.
Among their dead was one captain and two lieuten~
ants. We took only one prisoner, whom sent 70
the Provost Marshal.
j have the honor " be your obedient servant
W. 7. SHERMAN,
Rrisadier.Genersl Com mauding Division
eddqndyteys Department Mssppi, CInp Corisih Readss
MississJpi, May y. l6e1