Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-06-19

Mn. EDIToR:--The great bubble of
Corinth has exploded. and scarcely mark
or trace has been left to designate the
place where SO much gas has been gener-
ated.
In truth my own feelings are not ex-
empt from considerable chagrin after the
amount of blowing and putting have done
to no purpose. in relation to the great
battle contemplated here. The most ex-
tensive preparations. combined with all
the available military science and skill.
conducted with judgment. energy and in
dustry, have not served to save us from a
disaster more to be regretted than the de-
feat OF great army. Ever since our
army left the field of Shiloh. on the al
vance toward this place, daily skirmishing
has been going on. So accustomed were
VIC to the sound Of the cannon and mus
kerry that we felt alarmed when for few
hours it had. from some reason or other,
subsided. and began to surmise in relation
to the new moves which must be 10 con-
temptation. to have occasioned it. The
enemy. who evidently was in great force.
contested every inch of the ground that we
gained. whilst every new position gained
by Us. was always attended with consd-
erable loss, and held only by main force,
great watchfulness and skill. The conn
try within six miles of Corinth and ex-
tending in a semi-circle for eight miles is
series Of earth works. rifle pits. embank-
ments, aud Notifications. In many in
stances 40 or 80 acres Of forrest has been
totally divested Of all its timber. Roads
constructed in all directions. through ex-
tensive marshes and swamps were made
under the greatest disadvantages; the
workmen frequently being driven away by
the enemy who were secreted under every
cavern that presented them favorable
position. AS our army began to
draw nearer to the enemy's works in front
of the town. the daily skirmishes grew
more fierce and bloody. The 29th of
May will be remembered through life by
many of Buell's soldiers who were kept
in the face Of the enemy's fire from morn
till night. and even in the night the rebels
would pour volley after voIley into the
position occupied by the pickels.
Our batteries were more than a match
for them. as they had very little artillery
we were able to throw shot and shell into
every part of their lines. and cause great
disorder in their ranks. Gen. McCook's IS
division was held In reserve until the 29th.
when it was ordered forward. We arrived
upon the advance lines of Nelson's and
Woods divisions about 3 o'clock p. NJ,
and bivouaced in the woods in sight Of the
enemy's pickets. A brisk cannonading
vas commenced and the rebels were driy-
en- in about mile. and kept there whilst
our men threw up breastworks in the
midst of large field and planted two bat
teries of light artillery. This enabled us
to hold it without difficulty. On the
morning of the 29th we advanced upon
the rebels short distance which brough,
on q severe skirmish. in which the gallant
32d Indiana was driven back with consid-
erable loss. but our portion of the line
was held. and Gen. Rousseau drove the
rebels back on the right wing. The fight
ing was regular and constant during the
day. and mostly in q thick woods where
the rebels could advance upon MS amid tho
trees and bushes, and we could not discov.
er them until volley of musketry would
make our ears ring. They had a number
of Indians employed as sharpshooters
who would get up in the thick foliage Of
the trees. and let fly whenever q soldier
would move. Others employed singula,
stratagem that proved fatal to many o
our men.-that was. by carrying q large
green bush along with them. held in a po.
sition which would conceal their bodies
and yet enable them to see us distinctly
about o'clock. on the morning OF the
30th. tremendous explosion was heard
in Corinth that exceeded the thunder oi
the cannon, and suspicion run through
the whole camp that the enemy had va.
Gated. Signal rockets were sent up. and
the army made general move on the
town. The few skirmishers who remained
of the rebels, we've soon scattered, and we
entered the deserted toxn without oppo-
sition. Many of the buildings were des-
troyed. and all but three or four deserted,
the furniture having been conveyed a.
way several days before we entered. The
rebel works were arranged chiefly on the
north side Of the place. consisting in two
lines Of breastworks and rifle pits, whilst
the approaches were covered with. fallen
trees and brush. SO as to render the ap-
proach difficult and slow, There appear
ed to be no distractions in our way to ei-
ther Of the railroads which the rebels made
good use of during the time we lay in front