Second Battle of Corinth
Corinth, Mississippi, USA
What happened
The Union Army of the Mississippi under William S. Rosecrans defended Corinth against a Confederate army under Earl Van Dorn, joined by Sterling Price's troops. Corinth was a key railway junction in northern Mississippi. On 3 October the Confederates pushed the Union troops back to their inner forts. On 4 October they attacked two forts, Battery Powell and Battery Robinett, and briefly broke into the town, but were driven back, and Van Dorn ordered a retreat.
Why it matters
Van Dorn had hoped to cut Union supply lines and help the Confederate campaign in Kentucky, and the attack failed. The Union kept control of the junction.
What came next
Union troops fought Van Dorn's retreating army at Hatchie's Bridge on 5 October. Van Dorn was later replaced by John C. Pemberton.
Did you know?
More than 820 acres of the battlefield have been preserved.
Timeline
- 19 September 1862Battle of Iuka.
- 3 October 1862Confederates push Union troops back to the inner forts.
- 4 October 1862Attacks on Battery Powell and Battery Robinett fail.
- 5 October 1862Battle of Hatchie's Bridge.