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| General Earl Van Dorn |
CORINTH, April 9, 1862.
General VAN DORN, Des Arc:
Hurry your forces as rapidly as possible. I believe we can whip them again. The enemy, having been largely re-enforced on the night of the 6th with fresh troops from Buell's army, attacked us early next morning, but our forces defended their position heroically until about 1 o'clock p.m., when, finding the enemy was still being re-enforced, made all necessary preparation for returning to this place-a movement which was part of plan contemplated when the offensive was taken. It was never intended to hold a position so near the river. I only regret, however, it could not be held long enough to secure all of the immense amount of artillery stores and supplies captured on the 6th instant.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
APRIL 9, 1862.
General BEAUREGARD, Commanding:
Some of my troops are badly armed. Can you let me have some arms? If so, can you have them sent to me at Memphis? Hope further success.
EARL VAN DORN.
CORINTH, April 9, 1862.
General VAN DORN: I regret have none; could not remove all I took, but we will take more. Come on.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
CHATTANOOGA, April 9, 1862.
Major-General E. KIRBY SMITH: In reply to telegram sent to commanding general at Corinth of condition of things by your order this dispatch just received:
CORINTH, April 9, 1862.
Can any of said forces be sent here immediately for the coming battle; if so, what portion?
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
The Twenty-fourth Mississippi, Forty-first Georgia, detachment of Twenty-sixth Tennessee, and Kain's little company here, besides a small quantity of cavalry here, besides Fifth Georgia at Bridgeport. Everything quiet here. What shall I reply? Answer immediately. If they go, I want to go. The citizens say they will guard the bridge. Answer immediately.
S. B. MAXEY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, April 9, 1862.
General S. COOPER,
Richmond, Va.:
General Beauregard telegraphs Brigadier-General Maxey that he wishes aid in the impending battle. I have ordered Brigadier-General Maxey to Corinth immediately with the Fifth Georgia, Forty-first Georgia, and Twenty-fourth Mississippi Regiments from Chattanooga; also the Twentieth and Twenty-third Alabama Regiments from Kingston.
T his takes all my available force in Tennessee.
E. KIRBY SMITH,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, April 9, 1862.
General D. LEADBETTER,
Kingston, Tenn.:
GENERAL: General Beauregard telegraphs that a battle is immediately impending at Corinth, and asks that all available troops be sent to his aid. The major-general commanding directs that you proceed with the utmost dispatch with the Twentieth and Twenty-third Alabama Regiments to Loudon, Tenn., where transportation will await you at 9 o'clock Thursday evening. He also directs that these troops move as lightly as possible, unencumbered with the baggage usually carried by volunteer regiments, and with such rations as can be quickly prepared for their subsistence en route to Corinth, Miss.
You will turn over the command at Kingston to Colonel John C. Vaughn, Third Regiment Tennessee Volunteers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. L. CLAY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 10, Part 2, Page 406.
In contrast to the calm reports of Grant, who had his army surprised and nearly driven into the river, those of Beauregard have an obvious sense of urgency. Beauregard expects, and perhaps even desires, another battle. But it would not come to pass, because both armies were played out in ways neither commander fully understood in the immediate aftermath of Shiloh.
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