The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 454
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WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS.
that "had we taken Corinth the present advantageous base of opera-
tions of the enemy-Memphis, Jackson, Bolivar, La Grange, Grand
Junction, and Corinth-would now be ours, not theirs." He adds, " I
do not entertain a doubt of it." He testifies that he has "not a doubt
that if we had taken Corinth, and as a consequence thereof freed West
ern Tennessee, that the efforts of the enemy to dislodge our army would
have prolonged the contest so late in the season as to render military
movements difficult." He testifies that "in the event of General Bragg's
army being compelled to fall back into Tennessee the taking of Corinth
by us would in all likelihood have enabled Bragg's army and this to
have united or co-operated in such a way as to hold the State of Ten-
nessee for several months." He volunteered to say in his evidence that
"in the movements upon Corinth, and in the management of the fight
at Corinth, amid all the consultations and conferences with me, which
were frequent and many, there arose but one difference of opinion be-
tween us, and that was upon the question whether the attack should be
delayed a few days until we should be re-enforced by the returned pris-
oners expected from Jackson."
I introduced the testimony of General Price on the subject of the pro-
priety of my advance on Corinth because he was an officer of experience
and distinction; second, because from his position as commander of a
separate army, left in the rear by General Bragg to guard important
interests of this State and to co-operate, as far as his limited resources
would allow, in the general design which Bragg's movement was in-
tended to accomplish, his mind must have often been painfully engaged
in considering what action on his part might best contribute to the
success of our arms; and last, because I knew the propriety of attacking
Corinth was no new subject with him, but one that for a long time re-
ceived his anxious consideration.
Corinth, so hurtful to us while in the possession of the enemy, so ad-
vantageous to us if in our own, ought to have been attacked by me
unless my repulse was an inevitable event. This could be only because
either the place was impregnable to assault or because it was defended
by an overwhelming force. My accuser (General Bowen) was not bold
enough to affirm either proposition. He does not aver that the place
was impregnable to assault. He does not charge that it was defended
by overwhelming numbers.. He charges only that the place was strongly
fortified and that it was defended by a formidable force. That it was
not impregnable he swears in his testimony, for he says on oath that in
spite of the strength of the fortification and the formidable forces of the
enemy the place could have been easily taken on Friday afternoon with
proper disposition on my part during the battle. That it was not im-
pregnable is shown by the abundant proof in the case that the exterior
works were carried by my entire line, embracing both corps, and Price's
corps carried the interior defenses and penetrated into the heart of the
town up to the square surrounding the headquarters of the commanding
general of the enemy. General Rust, who, at Tuscumbia Bridge, within
14 miles of Corinth, pronounced that success was impossible, and after-
ward in stronger phrase declared the attempt madness, with the candor
of the soldier and the gentleman, testified before you that he was forced
to change his opinion, and said, on Friday afternoon, " I thought we had
a first-rate chance to take the place." That the fortifications were not
impregnable to assault is manifest from the nature of the works them-
selves, being penetrable by artillery and requiring no scaling-ladders
to mount them.
Before proceeding to the-second accusation I wish to say a few words454
[CHAP. XXIX.
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 17. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 17.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1886; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154626/m1/465/?q=%221862%22: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.