The following article is from Harper's Weekly Journal of Civilization, June 7, 1862.

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The Country Round Corinth

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          The country around Corinth is of a rolling timbered land, sweeping in successive ridges and flat boggy hollows for miles in every direction. These latter make it a matter of difficulty to approach the place with artillery. The rebels have embraced a circuit of hills several miles in which they are encamped. The length of these works is estimated at nine miles, and they are reported to have several heavy siege pieces in position at the salient points. There  is first an abatis of felled timber a mile from the guns, which, while it will present an obstacle to the passage of our lines, will present an admirable cover for our sharp-shooters. Beyond the timber is a rifle-trench, at a few hundred yards distance from the guns. Behind this breast-work it is thought the enemy's forces will be lodged after the place is invested.The inner line is a series of angles and bastions running from hill-top to hill-top, a heavy gun being placed to command every approach.

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Prepared for Disaster

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          That we may be prepared for any untoward occurrence, such as a stampede, a revers, or an attempt on the part of the rebels to pierce our lines, our men have been engaged busily yesterday and to-day in erecting a strong line of breast-works formed of timber and branches covered with dirt, which are again masked so as to conceal them from the view of the enemy. The most commanding positions have been seized the first line about eight miles from Corinth. With a cleared space in front and guns placed in commanding positions the enemy can not approach our line without being  subjected to a murderous fire.

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The Roads - Mud and Dust

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          But a few days since the mud was the great impediment to our progress. We are now at the other extreme. So far from being troubled with too much moisture, we have not enough to drink, much less for other purposes. Our men are digging for water, and the result is, a thick, whitish mixture of nauseous taste is all that can be had portable. Horses are ridden a mile to muddy, stagnant pool, and not unfrequently the soldiers are reduced to the same extremity. Lemons and liquors are in great demand to render the water palatable.

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Hospitals

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          The hospital arrangements are proceeding on the scale comensurate with the expectations of a great battle. A large general hospital has been established at Monterey, in charge of the accomplished brigade surgeon, R. C. Metcalfe, of the Seventh Illinois, who is busy making ample arrangements for the reception of a great number of sufferers. Seven hundred tents, litters, stretchers, ambulances, medicines, and sanitary stores, are being collected in quantities, with a large medical staff. A competent force of older surgeons, who have been under fire, will accompany the forces to the field, and there, doubtless, save many lives which might be lost by an hour's neglect. The most ample arrangements have been made for obtaining the names of the sufferers in the anticipated battle, and if the friends of such are disappointed, they must attribute the causes not to any want of attention on the part of journalists, but to the officers of the army, who are bound, like dull scholars, within the volume of army regulations, to the very great inconvenience of an anxious public.

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Moving Forward

Tuesday, May 13

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          The cry is still we come, O Corinth!  We went back, picked up bag and baggage, swept off leftward, and now occupy a superb spot for camping four miles in direct line from Corinth. The swamp in front is an immense one; they can not cross it, or we, with artillery, except by the great corduroy highway that we have built - a thundering piece of architecture. Could hardly believe my eyes yesterday as I sauntered to the right of it. We occupy Farmington - pickets just beyond it. Rebel pickets and ours a half mile apart.

          General Buell's batteries have seen probably less service than any others, but they contain some very superior guns; among them we saw the long Rodman guns, calculated to throw shells at least three miles. Besides these, the five heavy siege guns, which were of so much use in staying the advance of the rebels at Pittsburg, commanded by Captain Madison, have been moved forward by a team composed of six yokes of oxen attached to each.

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