uds of smoke, satisfied both him and Sherman
that Beauregard was leaving. By eight o'clock, his advance had felt
their way through the intrenchments and marched into town. Sherman,
having farther to go, was but little later in entering.

Pope's army moved at once in pursuit along the roads leading
south--Rosecrans in front, Hamilton following, and Granger with the
cavalry keeping in advance. Two divisions from Thomas' command, Davies
and T.W. Sherman, were added to the pursuing column. The pursuit
developed the fact that Beauregard, or a large part of his force, halted
at Baldwin, fifty miles south of Corinth, in an inaccessible position
behind swamp and jungle, while his line extended to the northwest, to
Blackland, an approachable point west of the railroad. Pope had made all
preparations to attack at Blackland and issued the order, when Buell
arrived at the front and suspended the attack. Beauregard retreated
farther and the pursuing force returned to Corinth.

General Pope, while detained a few days at Danville, by illness, was
continually receiving despatches from his officers at the front, and
telegraphing them or their substance to General Halleck, at Corinth, a
few miles off. General Granger said in one despatch there were ten
thousand stragglers from the retreating army in the woods, all of whom
would come in and surrender. All knew the woods were full of stragglers,
and it was generally believed that General Granger's estimate of their
number and intentions was reasonable. Pope, condensing into one,
despatches received from Rosecrans, Hamilton, and Granger, telegraphed
to Halleck, "The two divisions in the advance under Rosecrans are slowly
and cautiously advancing on Baldwin this morning, with the cavalry on
both flanks. Hamilton, with two divisions, is at Rienzi, and between
there and Booneville, ready to move forward, should they be needed. One
brigade from the reserve occupies Danville. Rosecrans reports this
morning that the enemy has retreated from Baldwin, but he is advancing
cautiously. The woods, for miles, are full of stragglers from the enemy,
who are coming in in squads. Not less than ten thousand men are thus
scattered about, who will come in within a day or two." General Halleck
despatched to the War Department "General Pope, with 40,000 men, is
thirty miles south of Corinth, pushing the enemy hard. He already
reports 10,000 prisoners and deserters from the enemy, and 15,000 stand
of arms captur