Federals in Corinth?

[Ihatecomplicatedinterface]

At what periods/dates of the War did the Federals occupy Corinth? That whole situation there is confusing.

 

[dfostermem]

After Shiloh, the Federal troops eventually moved down to Corinth. On 29 Apr the "siege" began with the Federals "digging" in to the North and East reaching approximately 120,000 to the Confederates 65,000. Throughout the month of May there were engagements that resulted in roughly 1000 casualties on each side. On 30 May 1862 the Confederates retreated and left Corinth to the Federals. The Confederates attempted to retake Corinth 3-4 Oct 1862 but were unsuccessful (some minor gains in some areas but quickly forced out). The Federals eventually found no strategic value in holding it and left in Jan 1864.

The period 29 Apr - 30 May is sometimes referred to as the Siege of Corinth with 3-4 Oct 1862 being the Battle of Corinth. Some use the terminology of First Battle of Corinth for 29 Apr - 30 May with Second Battle of Corinth for 3-4 Oct 1862.

 

[DixieRifles]

On 29 Apr the "siege" began with the Federals "digging" in to the North and East reaching approximately 120,000 to the Confederates 65,000. Throughout the month of May there were engagements that resulted in roughly 1000 casualties on each side.

I had an ancestor, Benjamin Guest of 9th Mississippi Regiment, who was wounded while on picket duty in May 1862. He was sent to Chattanooga hospital where he died.
People usually expect to find an ancestor who was killed to have fallen during a battle. This discovery was somewhat different.

 

[Caddo Militia]

One reason Corinth was abandoned first by the Confederates, then later by the Union, was because of the unhealthful and disease-ridden environment, including the lack of sufficient clean water.

In Company Aytch, Pvt. Sam Watkins recalled the miserable period the 1st Tennessee Inf. spent in Corinth after the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, but before Beauregard's retreat to Tupelo, May 29, 1862. "We became starved skeletons; naked and ragged rebels. The chronic diarrhoea became the scourge of the army. Corinth became one vast hospital. Almost the whole army attended the sick call every morning. All the water courses went dry, and we used water out of filthy pools . . . . One morning a detail was sent to burn up and destroy all the provisions and army stores, and to blow up the arsenal. The town was in a blaze of fire and the arsenal was roaring and popping and bellowing like pandemonium turned loose as we marched through Corinth on the morning of the evacuation. We bade farewell to Corinth. Its history was black and dark and damning. No little speck of green oasis ever enlivened the dark recesses of our memory while at this place. It's a desert that lives only in bitter memories. It was but one vast graveyard that entombed the life and spirit of once brave and chivalrous men. We left it to the tender mercies of the Yankees without one tear of sorrow or regret, and bade it farewell forever."

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Corinth's value in the 1860s hinged almost entirely on it being a rail junction (Memphis-Chattanooga and Mobile-Columbus/Paducah lines).

 

[Stryker65]

At what periods/dates of the War did the Federals occupy Corinth? That whole situation there is confusing.

The Union held Corinth from May, 1862, with forces there encompassed in the District of Corinth (first in the 13th Corps, then the 16th, and finally the 17th Corps). On January 25, 1864, the troops of the District were reorganized into a field division, and the city was abandoned. The garrisons and posts in the area were transferred to the District of Memphis.