Storms Brew In the West: March 25, 1862 (Tuesday)

Corinth to Shiloh (library.vanderbilt.educ)

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Corinth, March 25, 1862.
The PRESIDENT, Richmond, Va.:

    I arrived here yesterday and conferred with Generals Beauregard, Polk, and Bragg. General Beauregard returned to Jackson. General Van Dorn is at Van Buren, moving towards Jacksonport, Ark., and had purposed an advance toward New Madrid to attack the enemy. I ordered him to Memphis. He is not menaced by the enemy. There was no subsistence for either him or the enemy. I considered the country impracticable between Jacksonport and New Madrid, while at Memphis his force will be in position. The enemy is advancing to-day in some force from Pittsburg toward Corinth. Monterey, 11 miles in front, was occupied to-day by a small force of cavalry and two regiments of infantry. Decatur is held by a small force to guard the bridge. My force is now united, holding Burnsville, Iuka, and Tuscumbia, with one division here.



A. S. JOHNSTON,
General, C. S. Army.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 10, Part 2, Page 361.

Here Johnston gives a good account of positions early in the Shiloh Campaign.  The presence of Grant at Pittsburg keeps the Confederates from sending vital reinforcements to New Madrid.  The Memphis-Charleston Rail Road must be protected.  The next logical place contact might be expected is in Corinth, 20 airs miles to the SW of Grant.