d reinforcement and supply.

[Illustration: Approach to Corinth.]

Beauregard kept strong parties well advanced to his front, while the
National force at the river, absorbed in the work of organization and
supply, made little effort to ascertain his position. As late as April
27th, a reconnoitering party sent out by McClernand discovered that
Monterey, twelve miles from the landing, was held in some force. Next
day General Stanley, of Pope's command, sent out a detachment that drove
this force beyond Monterey. General Halleck began his march about the
close of April, moving slowly, keeping his army compact, intrenching at
every halt, and ordering his subordinate commanders strictly to refuse
to be drawn into a general engagement. The right wing halted and
intrenched immediately beyond and to the west of Monterey on May 4th.
The enemy's outposts kept close in front of Halleck's army and opposed
every advance.

General Pope, moving out on the left from Hamburg, stretched in advance
of the adjoining part of the line. On May 3d, his command being encamped
with Seven Mile Creek in his front, General Paine, with his division,
pushed forward to Farmington, within four miles of Corinth, attacked a
considerable force and drove them from their intrenchments, compelling
them to leave their dead, as well as their tents and baggage, behind.
Next day Pope advanced his entire force within a mile and a half of
Farmington, but had to return next day to his former position behind
Seven Mile Creek, to keep up his connection with Buell. On the 8th, he
again moved his whole force to Farmington, and pushed two divisions on
separate roads almost up the intrenchments at Corinth; but was again
informed that the army to his right was not ready to advance. One
brigade was still kept as advanced guard at Farmington. On the 9th, a
heavy force from Corinth emerged from the timber just as Plummer's
brigade, then on post, was being relieved by Palmer's. The two brigades
met the attack briskly and a severe combat ensued. Pope's army was
within a mile and a half behind the creek, but forbidden by Halleck's
order to cross. To prevent a general engagement, the two brigades were
withdrawn. It was not till after May 20th that Pope finally occupied
Farmington with Buell's line.

Observing indications on the night of the 26th, he next day advanced,
and connecting with his right, sent Colonel W.L. Elliot, of the Second
Iowa Cavalry, with his own regiment,