Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-06-06
known the swamp. That is low strip of
land one mile in with, and two miles this side
Of Corinth To preyent nassaUe thronoh the

AuoWH aS VIC SWAMP 4Hat - q low strip Ol
land one mile in with, and two miles this side
OF Corinth. To prevent passage through, the
Confederates had destroyed bridges. torn up
the logs in the miry places, and felled trees a.
cross. 1t was impossible, therefore, to advance
artillery farther. On the other side were mum
bers of the enemy, and it was determined to
cross and attack with infantry ard cavalry
The troops were formed accordingly, and af
ter considerable difficulty passed through
Hardly had they done so when Confederate
battery opened fire, throwing grape and canis>
ter. The troops replied by musketrx, while
the skirmishers advanced slowly forward.
Just across an open field the enemy's col
umns were plainly visible, About FIVE thous-
and infantry and regiment of cavalry formed
support to their battery of four guns. Op-
of General Payne advancing mile to the
right. From present appearances the enemy
had other supporting forces near, and it being
against orders to bring on general engage
mept, no decisive attack was made. The Conted
crates fired constantly..the whole afternoon, and
at intervals during the evening, even after the
accommodating force had retreated Enough
was ascertained to make it certain the foe still
held Corinth in considerable force. Whether
they have withdrawn their main body, howev
er, is yet unknown.
To day parties will be employed improving
the swamp road. To morrow it is expected
that guns may be transported over it. No &C
tion of consequence can take place before Mon
day. Among the cavalry were some casual.
ties. Major Arlington, of the 7th illinois, was
instantly killed by shot through the head
One man of the 2d Iowa met similar fate,
and three four were taken prisoners. A
couple of companies of the 2nd Iowa and 2nd
Michigan had a narrow escape from destruction.
They were ordered to penetrate, if possible, to
the Charleston and Memphis railroad, destroy
a portion of the track, and thus prevent the Con
federates from obtaining supplies. Also to as
certain If any formidable force had been thrown
out in that direction for fanking purposes Af
ter arriving within half mile Of the track and
driving in their pickets, the cavalry discovered
superior force surrounding them. To escape
they had to cut their way through. fighting for
midabe odds, and losing in killed wounded
and prisoners, 7.
Gen. Nelson's division moved forward yes.
terday seven miles. Gen. Walace's division
advances an equal distance to day, and will oc
cupy Monterey, having been chosen re-
serve corps. All the troops at the latter place
came forward yesterday. Gen. Buell's and
Netherlands forces also advancing the
former holding the centre. the latter the extreme
right.
| 1t is doubtful if any movements during the
war have been as difficult to chronicle correct.
| ly as the present one. Division ofadvance are
miles apart, and separated by impossible roads
that each is as completely ignorant OF the NOV
ements in the other as if there was special or
der reading, "Let not the right wing know
what the left wing doeth." Wherever at pres
ent is the Confederate army, Gen. Halleck is
acting on the supposition that it yet occupies
Corinth. Every movement is made according
ly. Not step in advance is TAX until the
country beyond and around the intended new
position has been thoroughly examined. Great
caution is also to be used to prevent Gene
raj Beauregard's making fanking move
ment.
AS an evidence of how Industrious the enc
my are in obstructine an advance was their
conduct last night. Our front pickets, one
mile from here, heard chopping and other sus'
picious sounds along the road beyond. This
morning all the bridges over which our forces
passed yesterday in accommodating were found
destroyed. O1deserters, there continues, as
usual, plentiful supply, but, what is strange
their reports are by no means o! the same char
acter.
A special dispatch to the New York Herald