Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-05-22
FROM THE 43d REGIMENT,
Editorial Correspondence Of the Belmont Chronicle.
Cxur THOMAS A. SCOTT, Q Mus East or
FAnaISoIoS, OK coRfSfs ROAD.
NAV inh. 100.

Correspondence OF the Belmont Chronicle. a
cxrr Thomas A. seorr, . MILEs East or |.
FARaNoIoN, OK Cosfyfs load II
May 18th, 1902. |,
Since my letter Of the 9th, We have not
made any permanent advance but think
ono will be made to-day or to morrow
Pope Division has occupied the advance
position until yesterday, when Buelrs army
was advanced, and last night occupied a po-
sition on o line with us on our right, and is
reported to have moved forward during the
night to a position two miles in front, with
their left resting on Pennington, only A
miles from Corinth. Pope will move for
ward and take a position on the same line,
with right right resting on Harrington and
left extending South towards the Memphis
a ID Charleston r. X. With this DISPOSE
ton of our forces, sustained by Thomas on
the right, all within heavy.gun-range Of the
enemy, it cannot be long before a definite
seton shall occur.
We have had during the week several OK.
| citing occurrences in the shape OF reconnois-
ances and skirmishes, on both sides, that
promised general engagements, but that
ended with the day on which they occurred,
and without any very decided results on
either side, further than to demonstrate that
the enemy is not only determined to make
a desperate stand at Corinth, but that he
is disposed to act on the offensive, whenever
and wherever nm opportunity is afforded.
On the morning of the 9Th we were
aroused by the sound Of the reveille at a,
A. NJ, and directed to cook one days rations
and prepare to march. At n We formed
in line, and at 81 moved forward on Corinth
road. We we're detained on road making
bridge over small stream and did not reach
, , Pennington until nearly IL o'clock, although
4 we had but two miles to move. We had
= however, met with no opposition from tn,
enemy, or as yet seen any Of their pickets
. although we passed through a camp wher'
they had been encamped in considerable
= force within a few days. This, in connec
u ton with tho thousand and one rumors tina
the enemy had evacuated Corinth on the re
. ceipt Of the news Of the evacuation Of York
town, and had gone TO reinforce the arm.
of the East, made us feel very much like a
10 IL it was possible we might spend the nigh
y in Corinth. Tho cautious Pope, however
T. was not deceived by these fattcring circun
stances but formed his entire force IN lin
4 Of battle in rear Of the town, preceded it b
n line Of skirmishers and then moved cat
ie tiously forward. We had not moved NOR
ne than a mile when VIC discovered their nd
ID vance pickets, which were driven in by on
Ks skirmisbors, when parts Of Dce's and Maj
K. rice's batteries, belonging to SANKEY'S d
ny vision, were brought forward and placed i
at position on q hill near the wood, and rake
them with canister and shell. We agai
H. moved forward entered the wood, CROSSE
n a creek nearly waist deep-movcd throue
swamp and woods q short distance, and hal
Ia cd near an open field in which our skirmis
cd ers had entered. The batteries abo'
ar namad we're again brought tn the front o.
ats placed in position, when they and q
shirmishers were opened upon by 4 bate
led Of the enemy, concealed in the woods
front, sustained by q considerable force
,k- infantry. The fire between tho batter
was very brisk for n short time, when I
re- enemies battery fell back, and one line
'rs skirmishers, with the batteries, and apart
'ri- our forces, moved forward a short distan,
nd. but soon succeeded in waking up anotl
ne, battery Of the enemy, and ascertaining t
ties proximity Of the enemy in force largely o
'gi- numbering our force present. The batter
fell again opened on both sides, and for half
the hour kept up very lively fire. We
ON been specially directed not to bring oil
md general engagement, and about 81 o'clc
OF we were ordered to retire to our camp.
lost several Of our cavalry killed and woul
ma cd in the skirmish and have no means
tnn telling ~hSther the enemy lost any or not
non The next day-Friday--the tables W
OF turned, and at about II o'clock, A. NJ,
ION enemy appeared in large forco in front
DO Pennington and in site Of our advance pr
composed Of part Of Plummer's Divisi
the about 5000 Infantry, with Spohr's o
and Battery, and - Battery. The enc
Immediately opened upon our advance "
his batteries, which we're answered by OF
pom and a heavy ~cannonading kept mp for &c
Inc time. Pope's whole force was drawn vi
ap- line, anxious to be led forward to meet
o. enemy-which was soon learned to be
vent forces Of Price and Van Dorm, about %,
Ihey strong, composing the right wing Of b
an regards army. Pope asked permission
'wr 60 over the creek and meet the enemy,
was informed by Gen. Halleck that
ene other divisions were not ready to co oper
ted' and that the movement would bring
'ner' general engagement, for which he was
un' prepared,
part There was no remedy left bu. to v
draw our forces from tho other side Of
creek, which was done in the sfterpar
. Do the day, having sustained q loss of22 k
hing and about 100 wounded. The enemy