The possession of Corinth, Miss., meant the control of the railroads
without which the Federal armies could not push down the Mississippi
Valley and eastward into Tennessee. Autumn found Rosecrans with about
23,000 men in command at the post where were vast quantities of military
stores. On October 3, the indomitable Confederate leaders, Price and Van
Dorn, appeared before Corinth, and Rosecrans believing the movement to be
a feint sent forward a brigade to an advanced position on a hill. A sharp
battle ensued and in a brilliant charge the Confederates at last possessed
the hill. Convinced that there was really to be a determined assault on
Corinth, Rosecrans disposed his forces during the night. Just before dawn
the Confederate cannonade began, the early daylight was passed in
skirmishing, while the artillery duel grew hotter. Then a glittering
column of Price's men burst from the woods. Grape and canister were poured
into them, but on they came, broke through the Federal center and drove
back their opponents to the square of the town. Here the Confederates were
at last swept back. But ere that Van Dorn's troops had hurled themselves
on Battery Robinett to the left of the Federal line, and fought their way
over the parapet and into the battery. Their victory was brief. Federal
troops well placed in concealment rose up and poured volley after volley
into them. They were swept away and Corinth was safe. Rosecrans by a
well-planned defense had kept the key to Grant's subsequent control of the
West.
[Illustration: GENERAL EARL VAN DORN, C. S. A.]