HEADQUARTERS Army of the Mississippi, Major Generel HALLECK: The regiments had best move out at once, as fast as they arrive, to my old camp on Seven-mile creek, three miles in rear of Farmington. Can you tell me who is the senior officer with them, and whether they have their transportation? They had best move out rapidly, bringing ten days' rations, so as to clear the landing and the road for the others. The enemy's pickets have almost disappeared from my front, and have ceased to fire for twenty-four hours. There have been no drums beat on my left for the same period, and no running of trains from Corinth. I am sending out some companies of skirmishers and a couple of howitzers, to-day, on the road leading from my left to Corinth. You will therefore understand the cause of any artillery firing you may hear. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. Major General HALLECK: Affair this afternoon resulted in complete rout of three of enemy's regiments, with loss of knapsacks, blankets, and haversacks. Several of enemy killed and wounded, and six prisoners taken. The regiment fled in confusion across the creek. Our loss four wounded. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Farmington, May 26, 1862. General G. T. BEAUREGARD: In accordance with instructions from Major General Halleck, commanding this department, I send into your lines one brigade surgeon, four regimental surgeons, and two assistant surgeons. A list of them is herewith enclosed. In answer to inquiries from Colonel Jordan, of your staff, it gives me pleasure to inform you that Captain Cameron, of your army, who was captured near this place, on the 3d of May, is not wounded, and is now a prisoner in my hands. I shall be glad to exchange him for Captain McMichael, assistant adjutant general, who was captured by your forces at Shiloh. I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS Army of the MISSISSIPPI, Major General HALLECK: The firing you hear is from a strong force I have sent to drive the enemy across the first creek on the left-hand Corinth road. The enemy was in some force near the creek, but are retiring. There was a report of the advance of the enemy in some force on my left to-day, but it has not been verified. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Farmington, May 26, 1862. Major General HALLECK: A considerable force of the enemy is massed in front of (south of) our left in the direction of the railroad. At least three regiments were seen on the Danville road. It is possible that the enemy means to attack my left in the morning. I shall be ready. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, General GORDON GRANGER: You will send a brigade of cavalry, to proceed by some secluded route, to a point on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, at least forty miles south of Corinth, with instructions to destroy the railroad bridges, trestleworks, telegraph wires, &c., wherever it is practicable, and to render the railroad useless as far as possible. In your orders to the officer commanding the brigade, you will give him the necessary instructions as to his movements, being careful that he is to return by a different route from that pursued in his forward movement. Respectfully, JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS Army of the Mississippi, Major General HALLECK: You no doubt heard last night the signal guns and rockets of the enemy. From midnight until daylight they were running trains rapidly-I think south—on the Mobile road. I think there were not more than six regiments and a battery on our left yesterday, and they only supports to their pickets. I send to-day two regiments of cavalry to push through Iuka in the night, and destroy a heavy covered bridge on the Mobile road, forty-five miles south of Corinth. One of my cavalry regiments returned from Iuka last night. I think this expedition will be a surprise, and will meet with little opposition so far from Corinth. They will be at the place by daylight to-morrow morning. As they will be ordered to return by a different road they will run no risk of ambush. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. FARMINGTON, May 27, 1862. Major General HALLECK: I will send an officer to you to-night, to lay before you my views of your order. I will be ready to execute it at an early hour to-morrow. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIppi, Farmington, May 27, 1862. Major General HALLECK: A white woman, living near the railroad east of this place, left Corinth night before last. She asserts positively that the enemy were leaving Corinth in the direction of Memphis, and it is fully believed by men whom we have as scouts, and who know the woman well. I give you this for what it is worth. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. FARMINGTON, May 27, 1862. Major General BUELL: I have, but have sent an officer to General Halleck to explain my views.. I don't quite like the orders. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Major General BUELL: I shall move forward on the south or left-hand road from this place to Corinth. One division of seven thousand men will occupy this bank of Bridge creek, with its left resting on the road, its right extended towards Boxe's. Two other divisions of equal strength will occupy the line of the road en echelon, facing to the southwest, the other division occupying that part of my intrenchments which are refused, and the whole well closed, so that our left will present an unbroken line of battle, looking toward the railroad. My heavy batteries will be established on the highlands along the creek in front of my first division. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS, FARMINGTON, May 28, 1862. Major General HALLECK: My command is drawn up, and will march in ten minutes. My heavy batteries will be ready to open by 3 p. m. I sent you a despatch yesterday, stating that I had sent two regiments of cavalry to destroy railroad bridges, &c., forty-five miles south of Corinth. They are to be there early this morning. They are commanded by Colonel Elliot, and will undoubtedly perform the service at some portion of the road to-day. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS, May 28, 1862. General STANLEY: Feel in with your skirmishers toward the battery on your left, and see what you can do with it. I will send the sharpshooters from Paine's right to turn it on its right. Have your columns ready to march; and if you deem it practicable, carry the nearest work. Leave at least one brigade to watch your right and rear, and if you need more, call on Morgan or General Paine, who are just in your rear. If by waiting for the 30-pounder Parrotts you can silence the battery, wait, and don't attempt to storm; meantime put Colonel Bissell to work for the Parrotts, and your own men to digging rifle-pits. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. MAY 28, 1862. General PAINE: Send your sharpshooters in the direction of the enemy's battery, which has just fired, and see what it is. Let them lay under cover and pick off the gunners. Stand ready to support Stanley should he decide to storm it. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Farmington, May 28, 1862. Major General HALLECK: The result of the operations to-day was the occupation of the line I suggested in my communication through General Hamilton last night. Along this line I am now strongly intrenched, and can hold my ground. I am throwing up a battery to-night of 20-pounder Parrotts, within five hundred yards of the work which annoyed us to-day, and will open from it at daylight. I have also ordered a reconnoissance in force at daylight to the right and rear of the work toward the railroad. The enemy left thirty dead on the ground, whom we have buried, many wounded, now in our hospitals, and three officers and nineteen men prisoners. Our loss is about twenty-five killed and wounded. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF The Mississippi, Farmington, May 29, 1862. Major General HALLECK: It is just reported to me that the enemy has evacuated the intrenched position he occupied yesterday on my left and front. I am pushing forward my skirmishers and will telegraph again directly. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF The Mississippi, May 29, 1865. Major General HALLECK: The intrenched works of the enemy have not been abandoned, although the guns have been withdrawn, and are limbered up in the rear, supported by a heavy infantry force. The work is just south of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, which is much nearer than supposed. The railroad runs through a deep cut in front of the battery. Behind it and between the two railroads the forces of Van Dorn and Price are massed. I can bring on a battle immediately if you desire it. I will post my heavy Parrotts so as to play upon the work. I would suggest that my only further advance under present circumstances must be in the direction of the railroad, where I should meet Van Dorn and Price and a part, at least, of Hardee's forces. I have not yet heard from the expedition down the Mobile and Ohio railroad. The reconnoissance I sent out this morning developed the enemy in heavy force in front of Hamilton, on the right of the intrenched position of the enemy. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERs Army of the Mississippi, Major General HALLECK: The enemy is re-enforcing heavily by trains in my front and on my left. The cars are running constantly, and the cheering is immense every time they unload in front of me. I have no doubt, from all appearances, that I shall be attacked in heavy force at daylight. JNO. POPE, Major General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, May 30-6 a. m. General HALLECK: All very quiet since 4 o'clock. Twenty-six trains le during the night. A succession of loud explosions followed by dense black smoke in clouds. Everything indicates evacuation and retreat. I am pushing forward my skirmishers in several directions toward Corinth. Will telegraph you again in a few minutes. JNO. POPE, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Mississippi, May 30-7.15 a. m. Major General HALLECK: I am in possession of the enemy's intrenchedt position, an embrasured work of seven guns. Four regiments are feeling their way into Corinth and are now within three-quarters of a mile of the town. The whole country here seems to be fortified. Major General HALLECK: My advance, the thirty-ninth Ohio and fortysecond Illinois, entered the town and planted the United States flag on the courthouse at 6.40 this morning. They were the first troops in the place. I am throwing forward my cavalry and artillery in pursuit. The enemy retired by the Mobile road. JNO. POPE, |