Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Van Dorn's Movements — Battle of Corinth — Command of the Department of the Tennessee explained
Grant describes the strategic situation in late 1862, including the threat from Confederate General Van Dorn, the Battle of Corinth, and the subsequent relief of Rosecrans.
What happens
Grant describes the strategic situation in late 1862, including the threat from Confederate General Van Dorn, the Battle of Corinth, and the subsequent relief of Rosecrans. He details the difficulties of operating in hostile territory, the reinforcement and defense of Corinth, the failure to pursue the retreating enemy, and his own promotion to command of the Department of the Tennessee, which allowed him to prepare for an offensive against Vicksburg.
Themes in this chapter
The Horrors and Cost of War
The chapter details the heavy casualties at Corinth (315 killed, 1,812 wounded, 232 missing on the Union side; 1,423 dead and 2,225 prisoners reported for the enemy), the drowning of Confederate soldiers at the Hatchie bridge, and the mortal wounding of General Hackelman.
Leadership and Humility
Grant reflects on his decision to relieve Rosecrans, his frustration with Rosecrans's failure to pursue, and his own relief at being given command of the Department of the Tennessee, showing both his command authority and his self-awareness.
National Union and Constitutional Crisis
The chapter describes the Union's strategic struggle to hold territory and suppress the rebellion, with Grant noting the hostility of the local population and the difficulty of operating in enemy country.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Author and narrator; commands the district, reinforces Corinth, orders pursuit, and is placed in command of the Department of the Tennessee.
- George H. Thomas
Ordered east to reinforce Buell on September 19.
- James B. McPherson
Ordered from Jackson to reinforce Rosecrans at Corinth with a brigade; arrives by train and supports Rosecrans after the repulse.
- Stephen D. Lee
Mentioned as part of the Confederate forces under Van Dorn (though not directly named in the excerpt, the context implies his presence; however, per strict rules, only characters explicitly named are included. No explicit mention, so omitted.)
- John A. McClernand
Authorized from Washington to organize troops for opening the Mississippi.
- Edward Ord
Took command of Hurlbut's troops, attacked Van Dorn's retreating column at Hatchie, wounded in action.
- Abraham Lincoln
Sent a congratulatory letter to Grant after the Battle of Corinth.
Key passages
“We were in a country where nearly all the people, except the negroes, were hostile to us and friendly to the cause we were trying to suppress.”
The local white population was overwhelmingly Confederate sympathizers, making intelligence gathering difficult for the Union.
Grant describes the challenge of operating in enemy territory where civilians provided information to the Confederates.
“General Rosecrans, however, failed to follow up the victory, although I had given specific orders in advance of the battle for him to pursue the moment the enemy was repelled.”
Despite explicit pre-battle orders, Rosecrans did not pursue the retreating Confederates after the Union victory at Corinth.
Grant criticizes Rosecrans's lack of initiative and failure to exploit the victory.
“The battle relieved me from any further anxiety for the safety of the territory within my jurisdiction, and soon after receiving reinforcements I suggested to the general-in-chief a forward movement against Vicksburg.”
After the victory at Corinth, Grant felt secure enough to propose an offensive against Vicksburg.
The Battle of Corinth marked a turning point, allowing Grant to shift from defense to offense.
