The Battle at Corinth

The contemplated battle at Corinth received importance from the fact, that it is generally believed it will be the last general engagement of the war.  Upon its issue hinges the fate of the Southern Confederacy.  The rebels will fight desperately, and only yield when thoroughly whipped – provided they fight at all.

Although a battle is hourly expected it may be weeks before it occurs.  If Gen. Halleck concludes to lay siege to the place, and take the enemy by strategy, as Com. Foote did at Island No. 10 and Gen. McClellan tried to do at Yorktown, weeks may elapse before the final charge, a la Donelson, is made.  We doubt very much, however, if this ever come to pass.  Beauregard, if we mistake not the man, is differently constituted from Lee, Johnson or Magruder, and knowing that he will be defeated, would rather yield at the head of his army acting on the offensive, than ‘die in the last ditch’ in a retreat.  This rebellion has been so demoralizing in its who scope, that we should not be surprised, nevertheless, if the feeling spread from men to officers, and, impressed with the futility of further contending, all united in a grand foot-race.

Time will only determine these things.  In the meanwhile we can but speculate on the result, provided there is no battle, and prognosticate if there be; always believing that, in either case the Federal army will take no step backward, but march on to the tune of the “star-spangled banner,” until that ensign of our liberties waves over ever rood of land embraced within the national domain.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 2