ater his command was broken, and some of the Confederates
penetrated the town and to where the reserve artillery was massed.
Stanley's reserves, however, speedily fell on them and drove them
out with great loss. Then the attack came on Battery-Robinett, to
the westward near the Union centre. Three successive charges were
made in column on this battery and on the centre with the greatest
determination, and much close fighting occurred until the last
assault was repulsed about 11 A.M. (October 4, 1862), when the
enemy fell back under cover beyond cannon-shot. Van Dorn had hoped
to take Corinth on the 3d, and now, being repulsed at every point,
he beat a retreat, knowing Grant would not be inactive. It was
not until about 2 P.M. that Rosecrans ascertained the enemy had
commenced a retreat.( 9) General James B. McPherson arrived,
October 4th, from Jackson with five regiments, but too late for
the battle. The engagement was a severe one; both armies fought
with desperation and skill; the Union troops, being outnumbered,
made up the disparity by fighting, in part, behind breastworks.

The losses were heavy, especially in officers of rank. The Union
loss was, killed 27 officers and 328 men, wounded 115 officers and
1726 men, captured or missing 5 officers and 319 men; grand total,
2520.(10) The Confederate loss (as stated in Van Dorn's report
(11)), including casualties at Hatchie Bridge (October 5th), was,
killed 594, wounded 2162, prisoners or missing 2102; grand total,
4858.

Grant, besides sending McPherson to Rosecrans' support, had directed
Hurlburt at Bolivar to march with his division on the enemy's rear.
Hurlburt started on the 4th by way of Middletown and Pocahontas.
At the former place he encountered the enemy's cavalry and forced
them by night to and across the Big Muddy, where the division
encamped, one brigade having taken and crossed the bridge to the
east side. Hurlburt's orders from Grant were to reach Rosecrans
at all hazards.(12) The situation for Hurlburt was critical. He
had in front of his single division both Van Dorn and Price. But
the situation was in a high degree desperate for the retreating
army. If its retreat were arrested long enough for Rosecrans'
column to assail it in the rear it must be lost or dispersed. It
was this that Grant confidently calculated on. On the morning of
the 5th Hurlburt pushed vigorously forward to Davis' Bridge over
the Hatchie. General Ord arrived about