Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-16
ALI Reading Matter on this page
is from Saturday Evenings Edition,
Tle sitaafian'aI Cqrlall---Tho Evacaaiion
In CAMP MAR CoRNTH, Miss,
June ilst 1862.


hours in Corinth a place which ninety
days since was unknown an hundred miles
away, but which for centuries to come
must be famous as the place whore some
things were done and many more were not
done which might have been by the great
armies under Halleck and Beauregard.
oOrinth is delightfully."- located on high
ground shaded by trees, not eompactly
built except in the business center, near
the Rail Road junction. The dwellings
are mostly wood and painted white, which
in their isolated positions present rather a
picturesque appearance, viewed in thedis-
tance, but which, on nearer view, betrays
to the Northern eye an utter absence Of
thoroughness in construction and cUnye-
nience in planning, as well as taste in en-
bellishment which characterizes the VIII
lagos Of Yankeedom. Several large brick
blocks still stand near the tracks of the
railroads, aud several were committed to
flames by order Of the rebel General. We.
were informed by the inhabitants, a few of
Of whom remain, the order Of Beauregard
was given to fire every building in Corinth,
but the orders Of the little rebel seemed to
be obeyed only when he was present to en-
force them.
GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.
A critical examination Of the ruins re-
veals an immense loss to the Confederates,
by. their own vandal hands. Commissary
stores, consisting of beef, beans and peas,
in very large quantities, besides tents,
wagons, and ambulances, in great numbers,
had shared the same fate as the once.
splendid depot now smouldering in ashes.
Many Of the late residences Of citizens
give evidence Of great hastein leaving all
Of which seems the more strange, when
It is demonstrated that the enemy have
been busily engaged for at least ten days
in preparing to depart In one instance
we found house deserted by its owners
and occupants in such great haste, that the
furniture was left Just 1t had been used,
the dishes upon the table, the beds ready
made, and rooms UnsWopt. A well fur
nished library, as well as the furniture,
bore witness that the neat gothic struct-
ure was tenanted by family Of no mean
pretensions. Great numbers of dwellings
were stripped of every article Of furniture,
some Of a part only, in one instance an
elegant rosewood piano being the ouly
thing. left behind. Probably some twenty
buildings, great and small, were consumed
by fire, besides the extensive depots, and
one large steam Touring mill.
A vast amount Of labor has been ex-
pended BY the rebels in fortifying at and
around Corinth. The Notifications them
selves, strongly built, are rendered still
more formidable by the favorable position
they occupy; the first or outer row of earth
works being about half way up the very
considerable eminence upon which Corinth
stands, is strongly built with large tons
within, to give them strength, and deep
bitches in front A large swampy bottom,
with q small creek meanderiug through it,
covered with heavy, fallen timber was
well calculated to impede the progress Of
an army, especially as this stream could
only be crossed by large bodies Of men at
certain points, al of which were fully
covered by the enemy's guns.
THE STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY.
Judging from the appearance and ex-
tent Of the grounds occupied for encamp-
ing, it is safe to conclude that the enc
my's force could nothaye exceeded seventy
FIVE thousand men. OF this numbera very
large proportion were in the hospitals; cit
liens say one-half 1t is stated also that
the artillery force Of the rebel army was
By no means formidable, being deficient
both in caliber and in numbers.
The telegraph has informed you Of the
occupation Of Corinth by our army, and
win not try to describe that eylnt Well
-Corinth is evacuated, no battle has been
fought, no blood split in a dread conflict,
no enemy captured, no great or decisive
blow has yet been struck. In contem-
plating these facts and the history of the
past sixty days, the mind vacillates be-
tween thankfulness and despondency.
It is indeed matter of great rejoicing
thEs so many Of our noble soldiers have es-
capped death on the battlefield; that 50
many Of the dear Ones at home are saved
from the anguish Of such death, and that
60 many are spared from manning and
fearful wounds, and with this view the
feelings are fully satisfied.
But looking at results alone, at the prog
ress we are making in the great business
Of crushing rebellion, in comparison with
the material in use and the resources en-
ployed, and the calm Judgment Of the mind
is not SO well satisfied.
Ninety days ago Fort Donelson had just
fallen. and ten thousand rebels retreated
TO Corinth. Thirty days later, with
sllthe wealth and power Of the mighty
North placed at the disposal Of our army,
and we find great and good army gath.
cred at Pittsbrrg Landing to give battle t
those rebels now groWn-to be seventy
thousand slTeng, but alas for want o.
generalship, tl.is great and good army il
surprised, and for day is defeated witt
terrible slaughter. Another day passes
and our inxincible soldiery, in spite O
bad generaishiP, have driven the enemy
from the field, and fairly gained what wal
fairly lost. The mighty energies Of tn,
country are again taxed, and the Fesponsl
IN men, in supplies, in transports, come
cheerfully from the heart of the great frel
North. A mighty host are ready to pusl
on to the works Of the enemy without de
lay.
After fifty days of tedious waiting 70
what is ealled strategy, but what SEEM
more like tiHidity. have passed, and tn
grand army, wanting nothing unless it b
3 competent leader, one who had in hin
the power to reflect the intelligent AM
9 earnest purpose Of the soldiery under him
has half enFironed the last hope Of th
rsbsls in the Mississippi valley
Our preparations are ample and com
plete and 50 certainly vas the rebel arm,
& at Corinth within the reach and power Q
: cur artillery, that at any time within th
T