contented to rest the matter here, but it is proper to inform you that I have abundant evidence to establish the negative of the statement contained in the despatch attributed to you as far as that despatch relates to me. My main purpose in writing to you on the subject was to give you the opportunity to explain the matter in a manner that, while it would relieve me from the misconception arising from your despatch, would leave unimpaired the personal relations which have always existed between us. It is my wish to maintain those relations if possible; but you must be aware that I cannot long do so unless you act towards me in the same spirit of frankness in which my letter of yesterday was written. It will afford me real satisfaction, upon the receipt of the copy of the report attributed to me in the despatch in question, accompanied by such an explanation as a spirit of frankness and candor would dictate, to recall and destroy this letter. Such explanation is, however, due to me, and I trust sincerely that you will not leave New York, where I understand you are to remain three weeks, without making the brief examination of your files necessary to a full explanation of the subject. I send the original of this to you by the hands of Major Scott, your staff officer, and a copy by mail to the care of John C. Hamilton, esq. I will leave for St. Louis Friday, the seventh instant, at which place any communication will reach me. "I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant, "Major General H. W. HALLECK, "United States Army, New York, N. Y." To this letter no reply has been received. "JNO. POPE, I had resolved when this war began that I would never during its continuance resort to the newspapers for any justification of myself from charges or statements made against me, and never suffer myself to be drawn into personal controversies with other officers which might impair my usefulness or theirs, or in any other manner obstruct, in the slightest degree, the prosecution of the war. I have steadfastly maintained this resolution until, the war having ended, a settlement of such personal matters can no longer be attended with consequences injurious to the public interests. I was called to Washington immediately after this despatch from General Halleck was made public, and my relations to him during the operations in front of Washington needed to be so close and harmonious, in the face of the extraordinary difficulties which confronted us, that it would have shown neither wisdom nor patriotism to have opened a controversy at that time, if, indeed, I had not previously resolved against it. I preferred, therefore, to bear unmerited reproach rather than make an explanation which might have done far more injury to the country than any temporary misconception could do to me. I freely admit that I was deeply pained at the continued and unjust flings which were made at me in the newspapers and in public speeches on account of this despatch. Even if it had been true that I made such a report, ordinary consideration for an officer who had done his duty with zeal and fidelity, and who, at that very time, was daily hazarding his life in the discharge of that duty, should have induced every patriotic man rather to excuse or explain away than dwell upon a matter that could have no other result than to injure, unnecessarily and cruelly, my personal character at a time when I was employed by the government on service vital to the country, and without the time or the means to offer a reply. I confess, too, that I was greatly surprised to find that any considerable number of intelligent people could have allowed themselves to believe that an officer occupying my position, and who certainly was not in any manner responsible for the public disappointment at the result of the operations around Corinth, and was without any motive for such an act, should make a report which would disgrace him in the eyes of every officer and soldier of his command, and in a few days in the eyes of the whole country. I would greatly have preferred to explain this matter in some other way that would seem less harsh, but the course taken by General Halleck leaves me no alternative except to publish my correspondence with him on the subject. If he really sent the despatch in question, he must have done so under some grievous mistake, which he will no doubt make clear hereafter. As the termination of the campaign against Corinth severed my connection with the army of the Mississippi, which I had organized and commanded with so much satisfaction, it is proper for me to record here the names of the principal officers who commanded in that army. I regret that it is not appropriate in such a paper to record the name of every officer and soldier in that gallant little army. To them, and to those officers herein mentioned, I desire here to return my thanks for the cordial support I always received from them, and for the zeal and efficiency which crowned every operation of that army with such signal success. I append the official correspondence, the reports of division and brigade commanders, and other subordinate officers. They give a clear and detailed account of the various skirmishes and small affairs in which my command was engaged during the operations near Corinth. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Major General John Pope Commanding. STAFF.-Major Speed Butler, assistant adjutant general; Major C. A. Morgan, aide-de-camp; Major E. F. Noyes, aide-de-camp; Captain L. H. Marshall, aide-de-camp; Major J. M. Corse, inspector general; Captain J. W. Taylor, assistant quartermaster; Captain J. A. Swaim, assistant commissary of subsistence; Lieutenant J. W. Mott, acting assistant quartermaster. FIRST DIVISION.-Brigadier General D. S. Stanley. First brigade.-Colonel John Groesbeck; thirty-ninth Ohio, Colonel Groesbeck; twenty-seventh Ohio, Colonel J. W. Fuller. Second brigade.-Colonel J. L. K. Smith; fortythird Ohio, Colonel Smith; sixty-third Ohio, Colonel J. W. Sprague. SECOND DIVISION.-Brigadier General S. Hamilton. First brigade-Colonel W. H. Worthington; fifth Iowa infantry, Colonel Worthington; fifty-ninth Indiana infantry, Colonel J. J. Alexander. Second brigade.-Colonel N. Perczell; twenty-sixth Missouri infantry, Colonel G. B. Boomer; eleventh Ohio battery, Captain T. C. Sands. THIRD DIVISION.-Brigadier General J. N. Palmer. First brigade.-Colonel J. R. Slack; forty-seventh Indiana, Colonel J. R. Slack; thirty-fourth Indiana, Colonel T. Ryan. Second brigade.-Colonel G. N. Fitch; forty-sixth Indiana infantry, Colonel Fitch; forty-third Indiana infantry, Colonel W. E. McLean; seventh Illinois cavalry, Colonel W. P. Kellogg; company G, first Missouri light artillery, Captain H. Hiscock. FOURTH DIVISION.-Brigadier General E. A. Paine. First brigade.—Colonel J. D. Morgan; tenth Illinois infantry, Colonel Morgan; sixteenth Illinois infantry, Colonel R. T. Smith. Second brigade.-Fifty-first Illinois infantry, Colonel G. W. Cummings; twenty-sixth Illinois infantry, Colonel H. Dougherty; first Illinois cavalry, Major P. D. Jenkins; Yates's sharpshooters, Lieutenant Colonel D. E. Williams. FIFTH DIVISION.-Brigadier General Plummer. First brigade.-Colonel John Briyuer; forty-seventh Illinois infantry, Colonel Briyuer; eighth Wisconsin infantry, Colonel R. C. Murphy. Second brigade.-Colonel J. M. Loomis; twnty-sixth Illinois, Colonel Loomis; eleventh Missouri infantry, Lieutenant Colonel W. E. Pawtaker; company M, first Missouri light artillery, Captain A. M. Powell. CAVALRY DIVISION.-Brigadier General G. Granger; second Michigan cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel S. H. Gorham; third Michigan cavalry, Colonel J. K. Nusener. ARTILLERY DIVISION-Major W. L. Lothrop; second Iowa battery, Captain M. T. Spoor; third Michigan battery, Captain H. N. Dus; company F, second United States artillery, Lieutenant Ď. P. Mulling, in charge; Ottawa light artillery, Captain C. Houghtaling; first Wisconsin artillery, battery No. 5, Captain O. F. Primey; first Wisconsin artillery, battery No. 6, Captain H. Dillens; first Wisconsin artillery, battery No. 7, Captain R. Griffith; Michigan light artillery, Captain S. De Golyers. ENGINEERS' REGIMENT OF THE WEST.-Colonel J. W. Bissell; fifteenth Wisconsin infantry, Colonel H. C. Heg; twenty-second Missouri infantry, —; second Iowa cavalry, Colonel W. L. Elliott; fourth United States cavalry, Lieutenant M. J. Kelley; first United States infantry, Captain G. A. Williams; second Illinois cavalry, Captain Moore. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Near Farmington, May 5, 1862. Colonel John C. KELTON: I have the honor to transmit, enclosed, the report of General D. S. Stanley, of the capture of Monterey and the enemy's baggage and tents. Enclosed with his reports are the reports of Colonel W. S. Elliott, second Iowa cavalry, and Major Love. Respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant, JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Major General HALLECK: Deserter from enemy's lines just in; says he belongs to Hardee's division, now east of Corinth and quite near intrenchments; says that the troops are going into the works. Thinks they will not hold the whole army, mules, and wagons inside. No big guns mounted south of Memphis and Charleston road, but that intrenchments extend from Mobile and Ohio road round by the east to Memphis and Charleston road west of town. South side of town open. Hardee's whole division has been laying on its arms in line of battle inside the intrenchments ever since skirmish day before yesterday at Farmington. I am having a sketch of the ground east and south of Corinth made from his information which I will send you. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Major General HALLECK: Another deserter just in from Bragg's command confirms everything said to you in my last telegram. Says that Mansfield Lovell is assigned to the defence of the Memphis side of Corinth, and is expected every moment with his forces. Says, as do all the other prisoners, that they are badly fed and that there is much dissatisfaction in their army. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, May 6, 1862. Major General HALLECK: General Paine writes that Major Rewalt, seventh Illinois cavalry, who is with the advanced pickets, reports that from all indication the rebels are leaving Corinth. I will ascertain the facts as soon as I now, can. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Major General HALLECK: Reports from the pickets assume such a form and come so continuously that the enemy is evacuating Corinth, that I think an examination in force will be desirable. It is certain that early as last Thursday trains were leaving on both roads, of twenty and thirty cars each, loaded with supplies, and since that time men have not been permitted to go to the depot. A great quantity of subsistence stores have been carried off. I instructed General Paine to make as close examination last night as possible without moving his command, but have no report from him. If one of Buell's divisions, say Nelson's, which is nearest to me, can be sent with two days' rations in haversacks to occupy my camp I will make a reconnoissance to day with my whole force. Please advise me. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. NEAR FARMINGTON, May 7, 1862. Major General HALLECK: I only want Buell to watch my right carefully during the reconnoissance, that no force may interpose between us. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, May 7, 1862. Major General HALLECK: Nelson is considerably in rear of my right, and his advanced pickets are not as far to the front as my encampment. He is also far to my right with Chambers creek between us. From my right to his pickets on Chambers creek is full a mile and a half, and the country between is high and rolling, with a road leading to Nichols ford on Seven-mile creek. He must cross Chambers's creek very early in the morning and advance as far as Seven-mile creek on my right, or he can neither give me assistance in case of need nor even watch my right. There is entirely too much interval between us in view of my movement to-morrow. As Hardee's force is laying outside the intrenchments and along the railroad, a considerable force will be necessary to drive him in, and my movement will carry me still further from Nelson. If he cannot be moved across Chambers's creek early in the morning, I think, perhaps, my attack on Hardee had best be postponed until he can do so. Unless Hardee is driven into his works no satisfactory reconnoissance can be made, and it will require my whole command to do so. My whole command will be ready to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock, with one day's rations. My flag of truce has not yet returned. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTErs Army of the Mississippi, May 8, 1862. Major General D. C. BUELL: I intend to move forward upon Corinth by the Farmington road, resting my left as near as possible upon the railroad. My reserves will occupy the high ground in front of Farmington. My wish is that Nelson cross Chambers's creek with his infantry, at least, and advance as far as the right and front of my camp, so as to cover the road by way of Nichol's ford. I shall leave in my camp one field battery and four 30-pounder Parrotts, with proper supports. Will you please direct Nelson to report to me the exact position he takes up, and to be ready in case of emergency, keeping behind Seven-mile creek, unless a pressing necessity arises, of which I will notify him. JNO. POPE,' Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERs Army of the Mississippi, May 8, 1862. General D. S. STANLEY: The general commanding directs that the second brigade of your command bivouack to-night near the creek, and on the side toward Farmington, throwing out pickets so as to enclose the town. They will be relieved in the morning. General Buford, officer of the day, will post the pickets and will be there for that purpose. I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant, C. A. MORGAN, Aide-de- Camp. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, May 8, 1862. Major General HALLECK: We have pushed our reconnoissance to the enemy's works, and the position of his batteries on the east side pretty well determined. There are bodies of the enemy all along the railroad on the south side. It was too far for me to venture across the railroad, while support was so far distant, and my flanks accessible by the three roads from Corinth. I will send you a sketch of the enemy's batteries and the roads early in the morning. There seems no doubt that he is in force at Corinth, though it is hard to tell without assaulting the intrenchments. I think my command ought to be advanced to this place to clear the railroad and make me secure on the left. I will write you at length. We have lost several men killed and wounded. The troops are returning to camp, but a brigade will occupy Farmington. The enemy, it is evident, will not stand outside of his intrenchments. All the roads are obstructed by felled trees. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Near Farmington, May 8, 1862. Major General HALLECK: I hardly know what to report to you, as my own opinion is not clear. Judging from the very feeble resistance offered to our advance on any of the roads leading to Corinth, and the ease with which close reconnoissance was made, I incline to think either that the enemy is evacuating, or that he desires to draw us on this road. His resistance was very feeble; few troops could be seen, and the intrenchments were examined from a very near point. If he be in force I am too far away from Buell to make such an advance |