The 77th Pennsylvania at the Siege of Corinth
by John Obreiter

The actual siege of Corinth began on the seventeenth of May. The policy was to approach and intrench. This plan of operation seemed slow, but was actually rapid and sure. The object was to reduce the place with least possible sacrifice. The enemy's works were constructed upon on a position of great natural strength. Any attempt to carry them by surprise or force, even if successful, would necessarily result in great loss to the assailants. By heavy fighting the lines were constantly carried forward by both the right and left wings. As soon as a position was gained it was intrenched. Thus the flanks of our army closed in upon Corinth.

When the flanks were secured the center advanced and intrenched. The first line of intrenchments was about four miles from Corinth. The siege from now on was conducted with great activity. At all hours of the day there was a cannonading and musketry fighting on some parts of the line. Before the end of the siege, this fighting, although sometimes very severe and long continued, became so common and frequent that it excited no alarm and attracted very little attention except from those immediately engaged. On the 26th the division moved to the front and bivouacked inside the line of intrenchments. On the 27th it was ordered forward to drive the enemy from the Hamburg-Corinth road and gain possession of Bridge Creek, a small stream which ran through a deep morass and across the road. This was accomplished with a loss of four men wounded.  

On the night of the 28th, the regiment worked on the intrenchments close to the Confederate works. All work had to be done there without any noise, and no loud talking was permitted. On the morning of the 30th the enemy was surprised by a new line of intrenchments which had sprung up during the night, almost under their noses. That morning the army was early on the move towards Corinth, but without meeting the enemy. Suddenly, about six o'clock, a roaring was heard that at first sounded like the discharge of heavy guns. These heavy reports were quickly followed at short intervals by others. Soon dense volumes of smoke became visible. "What's that?" exclaimed the men. "They are 'skedaddling' and destroying what they cannot take along." All was soon made clear. The regiment speedily came in sight of the works of the enemy and found them evacuated.

The Seventy-seventh's flag was the first flag of the center division that was planted on those works. After going over them, arms were stacked for a short rest. The Confederate camps were all deserted, their tents still standing. The boys in blue were soon among them, picking up mementos of all kinds, among which were large numbers of homemade knives, of all shapes and sizes. The enemy had, apparently, left in great haste, as much camp equipage was left behind. In some places was found kneaded dough ready to bake into biscuits. In many Dutch ovens biscuits were baking, baked or burnt. Kettles of meat hung over the fires, some cooked, others not yet done. Everything indicated a hasty departure, without even taking time to eat their breakfast before leaving. On their outer works were mounted numerous "Quaker guns" (logs with ends painted black to imitate cannon) with dummy gunners as harmless as the guns beside them.    

At the point where the 77th entered the hostile works was a blue uniform, stuffed with straw, suspended by the neck from the limb of a tree, with a card on it marked "General Halleck". While the regiment was there the General and his staff rode up. Some one directed his attention to the effigy, but he, having other matters to attend to, rode on. Thus ended the siege of Corinth.

 

 

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