Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-02-27

our commander. The days experiences
had demonstrated,the danger of open
field work with such extended lines, in
the face OF an enemy possessing two
men to our one. AS think of it in.
these later years l wonder that Van
Dorm did not charge in forcs on the first
day of,the fight, break over lines and
destroy as in detail. During the night
Rosecrans concentrated his entire force
within the limits of the town of Corinth,
under protection of the heavy guns
IN the earthworks constructed
she previous spring by Halleck's
orders.
Rosecraps' infantry and field artillery
lines were re arranged for defensive
operations but had not the protection
of earthworks. Later IN the war, With
our added experience, we would have
thrown up entrenchments and found
fair protection behind them on the sue
ceeding day. Two lines of battle were
formed, of which the Halleck forts. with
their heavy ordnance, were part. The
rear line extended through the streets
and lots of the town of Corinth. Field
artillery was closely massed, the infan-
try was drawn into the smallest work
ing space and before we slept that night
the whole army was compactly placed,
shoulder to shoulder, all ready for the
exigencies of the coming day.
With the dawn of October 4th there
was renewal of bostilities by our
confederate assailants, Their prompt and
vigorous movements indicated that the
pending conflict would be short, sharp,
| bloody and decisive. In their improved
position the federals felt confidence
which was already half the battle. Van
Dorn's forces presse our sklrmish lines
at every point, driving them steadily in
upon the reserve, though they sullenly
contested every step OF their backward
| movement.
Positive orders had been given to the
troops in line awaiting the onset to abb
stain from firing until they were ordered
to open. So, with shotted guns, the
crouchiug blue coats held themselves in
check and took the fire of the advancing
foe. The booming of the heavy guns in
the earthworks and the spiteful popping
of the skirmishers' muskets, were the
only evidences of battle upon our side,
until the confederate advance had
crowded the federal skirmishers
out OF the field. On came Van
Dorn's exultant men, swaying line fol-
lowing swayIng line in mad charge to
death or victory Our advance line
opened full in the faces of the on-rush-
ing enemy. A cataclysm of fire burst
from the federal front, q pltiless rain of
lead fell upon the charging soldiery and
the artillery belohed grape and
canister which moved them down in
CORY swaths. After bewildered halt
amid their heaps of slain and wounded,
the confederates rallied, closed their
ranks and sprang forward once mere to
the charge. We who were silently
watching from the steadfast ranks of
the federal second line saw our advance
battle front melt before the onset and
dissolve into struggling mass of fleeing
men, horses, guns, and calssons, while
the half victorious assailants swept up
the slope before us witha yell which
| Tho l;,, Of batfla
1t was then that the second federal
line opened fire, while those who had
been forced to fee under the pressure of
overwhelming numbers rallied behind
it's protecting guns and once more join
ed in the fierce contest for victory. Our
| fire was deliberate and effective. Every
volley opened great gaps IN the advanc-
| ing confederate lines and while they
were yet many rods away they began to
waver. Their shattered ranks struggled
forward again and again, but they were
met with an unceasing rain of lead and
iron against which further advance was
physical impossibility. With victory
almost within their grasp they halted,
staggered back, then turned and fed
from the scene of death. This ended
the charge and the battle and the field
was won for the federals.
i The confederate retreat speedily be
came a rout. In their wild haste to escape
they abandoned wagons, artillery, dead
sick and wounded, leaving the field tc
their foes with all It's CHASTITY trophies
! They flung away their guns and thei
ammunition and their knapsacks ant
+ blankets were left behind in the mac
: race for place OF safety. They wer'
! whipped by Rosecrans and were in dan
ger of being intercepted by the troop
: which Grant was sending across thei
: avenue of escape. Ord was crowdine
, his forces upon the Hatchie, which the
, must cross in their retreat. MoPherso
d had arrived by rail with brigade clos
n to the northern outskirts of Corinth jus
b in time to vigorously pursue the heein
d confederate soldiers.
+ Grant had instructed Rosecrans j
o advance OF the battle to ofollow IN in
!, mediate pursuit when YanDorn's line
IS gave way. Rosscrans did not obey tn
e order. The final repulse OF the confet
crates occurred not later than te
" o'clock IN the forenoon of the fourt
81 and Rosecrans' army did not move fro