Second Corinth Earl Van Dorn

second battle of corinth, actions on october 3–4, 1862

the performance of van dorn @ second battle of corinth autumn led union army victory. @ pea ridge, van dorn did in stages of battle on october 1–2, 1862, combining price s men , prudently placing force equal in size federals @ 22,000 soldiers. however, van dorn failed reconnoiter union defenses, , attack on brig. gen. william s. rosecrans strong defensive position @ corinth, mississippi, on october 3 bloodily repulsed.

on october 4–5 command handled along hatchie river union soldiers led brig. gens. stephen a. hurlbut , edward ord. however, rosecrans lack of aggressive pursuit allowed left of van dorn s men escape. total casualties second battle of corinth totaled 2,520 (355 killed, 1,841 wounded, 324 missing) union, , 4,233 (473 killed, 1,997 wounded, 1,763 captured/missing) confederates.

after battle van dorn ordered retreat, falling through abbeville, oxford, , water valley, mississippi, , staff captured on december 4, on coffeeville, mississippi, skirmishing federal cavalry. on december 4. 2 days later van dorn halted retreat @ grenada. following defeat @ corinth, van dorn sent before court of inquiry answer performance there. though acquitted of charges against him, van dorn never trusted command of army again, , subsequently relieved of district command.