Year: 1862

eon that you had received no letters from me.
We left Camp Shiloh on the 2sth of April, on a
forward march for Corinth As we are in the
woods we move slowly, though we have had no
difficulty in getting through, as the timber here
is not large and the uuder-brush not thick .
something similar to our Oak openings out west
The land is rolling and we have not as yet found
any swarnps 1t has been an easy matter for us
to cut new roads and leave the old ones which
have been badly cut up by the rebels.


! We have had several hot skirmshes with reb-
ell pickets, but have made them move every time
and as yet have not lost man. Had one col~
ored man wounded while at the spring, for wat
er. We have slept on our arms every night since
we left Shiloh, aud were up in line of battle every
morning at o'clock ready for the "chivalry ="
should they attack us.
General Sherman sent our Col word yesterday
morning that the rebels were advancing and
would probably make an attack that morning
All the officers were called up at three o'clock
had our men out in line of battle at four and
stood there anxiously waiting their approach
The men were in hne spirits and eager for them
to come on, and would have given them warm
reception had they come, buC 1t proved false
alarm and we saw no rebels that day. The men
are all heartily sick of the delay; would much
rather push on and attack Cornth than have
them evacuate and be obliged to follow them
/ farther south. / presume however our leading
men know BEST they command at all events and
it is our duty TO obey, though | am confident
there are but few in the army who would not
fight willingly and desperately for the sake of
bringing the rebellion to a speedy close, that
they might return to their homes. Patience and
| perseverance however viii do il at last end we
! poor soldiers must do our best, be patient and
hopeful and it will all come out right at last.


...... - JOHN II. BLINN.


SHERMAE's DIVISION, CAMP No. 8,


;. ..... ..... ...., MAY 8Oth, 1862.


We left camp No. Z, on the morning of the
29th with two Brgedes and two Batteries, There
were two Brgades advanced from each division
with two Batteries each. We moved very slow
! ly had to feel our way cautiously through the
thick brush. We had advanced about half a
I mile when our skirmishers were attacked by a
srong force Of rebel picket and then by full
regiment. They were compelled to fall back
but the 72nd moved rapidly forward and found
them drawn up in line of battle some so rods
! from US, We moved cur Battery up some 20
rods which gave US good range on them, and
/ opened fire On them. with. shell and grape
! which was fun to US butdeath to them" They
| fred one or two volleys and then fell back into
their entertainments. They could not stand our
artillery. We were within half mile of the
rebel entrenchments and slept on our arms in
! line of battle. That night the balance of the
army advanced, and,at twelve o'clock at night
| we were all ordered out to throw up breastworks
aud assure you each man went to work with a
clock we had good breastworks and rifle pits
along our entire lines which extend some sixteen
miles. They did not attack us as we expected.
| was ordered out with my company and one
from the 4Sth Ohio. With both companies
only had 10 men, Lieutenant Dennis was with
me. We went out on picket and as skirmishers.
We passed through an open field where we were
much exposed nd reached the woods without
being fred upon. All passed off quietly until
I o'clock when the rebel picket attacked u
with strong force. They fred volley among
us before we saw them, woundng one of my
men, Frank Smith, badly, and one from Co. H
from the 4sth. Ny men all kept their posts and
stood firm until we saw them creeping upon US
again, when l ordered them to FIRE which they
! did promptly, and we gave them charge which
convinced them that we we're on hand They
returned the fire with such force that they drove
US back but not far, when we rallied our mer
again and gave them charge which told. We
killed and wounded number of their men anG
drove them back completely. Through the night
we heard the cars running out of Corinth and
could hear them loading or unloading, could moi
4 tell which, until about O'Clock when we heard
heavy explosions which sounded as if they were
blowing up the town, We sent word to head
quarters that they were evacuating the pIact
which proved true. Our regiment with Others
went directly to Corinth but had to remain or
picket until relieved at ten O'clock Had no


much of an opportunity to look around wher
we passed through but think it is the pretties
4 place l have seen since l left Ohio. Their en-


ttenchments were we'll constructed, their posi-


tion was good one, and they might have resist
ed strong force if SO disposed. Had they no


left when they did, Halleck intended to attacl
q. them the next morning. Had the guns already
to commence Shelling them. You will no doub


have more correct accounts of the whole aifa


through the papers than can give you SO viii
take no more time for this,


Enclosed l send you statement of the doing


of myself and men on the 9th of April at Shiloh
as regret to learn that have been branded a


a coward by some of my particular friends e


home Some of my boys heard there had beei
! reports circulated at Perrysburg to the effec


that we retreated to Crumps Landing and dit


not get back for three or four days, but di,
, not pay any attention to the matter thinking i
did not amount to anything and that the origi
nators of such fasehoods we're beneath my no
tice, but when Mr.. Ryder came he told me i
was general report about there and advised m
to write to some one there and have the fact
t stated as they were. Mr.. Ryder or A. w. Luck


can give you the facts as they were, as they say


my men and eonversed with them Ihave mad
statement of the matter and obtained th
, names OF the men who were with me at tn
J time, good reliable men whose word is good a
r home or abroad, l wish you would take th
trouble to hand it to Mr.. Bailey, and have hir
put it in proper shape and publish it and an
Z part of this letter that he may find worth pub
3 fishing, / will write should your son be wors
+ or have any trouble in any way.


. Yours truly,


l john II. BLISN.
7 STATEMEST MADE By Carr. BLTNN AND SIGNED B