The Battle of Corinth was fought on the 4^th of October 1862 between a Confederate Army under Command of General Sterling Price and a Union Army under command of General W. S. Rosencrans. In order that I may make an intelligent description of the desperate nature of the fight at fort Robinette it will be necessary to explain to you something as to the preparation made for the defence of this position. Directly in front of the Second Texas Regiment a short distance north of the Memphis & Charleston RR was Battery Robinett, with three siege guns and in Battery Williams just south of the railroad and about two hundred yards in rear of Robinette there were 4 siege guns. On the eminence between Ft Williams and the railroad were six guns of the Second United States light Artillery all commanding the field to the westward and sweeping the hillside in front of Robinett, in addition to these a section of two guns was placed just north of Robinett between the fort and the Chewalla dirt road sweeping the top and side of the hill in immediate front. These were the positions of the Union artillery seventeen guns all bearing on the field in front of this gallant column of men, over which it was about to make one of the most daring and desperate assaults in the history of war. The Infantry of the Union Army was also placed in the most favorable positions for dealing destruction to the assaulting column. The 47 Illinois regiment lay behind the RR just in front of Ft Williams and opposite Ft Robinette the 43^rd Ohio regiment occupied the rifle pit to the south of Robinett extending from the fort to the RR. the 63^rd Ohio occupied the breastworks on the north, the 11^th Missouri was lying down under the hill 50 yds in rear of Robinett, the 27^th and the 39^th Ohio was in reserve in the trenches north of the ft. This was the formidable array that confronted the brave legions of Price on this crisp October morning. The order to charge was expected at dawn but owing to some delay did not come. during the interval of waiting, the men were subjected to the most intense mental strain, no one know but the old soldier the suspense of waiting just on the eve of battle. one who has thus experienced this feeling, tell me it is more trying on the nerves than the actual conflict.

 

When the order to advance came, the men obeyed it with wonderful alacrity, the different regiments being massed in columns of five lines. When they encountered the abatis of trees which had been felled with their tops outward and the limbs interwoven with smaller branches, the formation was considerably broken under the terrific fire of the enemy Artillery but each man picked his way through and all advanced as rapidly as possible toward fort Robinett. When they reached the brow of the hill they were staggered by the murderous fire from both Artillery and infantry

 

The infantry behind the railroad cut pouring a deadly enfilading fire into the right flank of these heroic men, while the thunder of the cannon was deafening and its awful shower of grape and canister was most destructive. under this galling fire the front lines recoiled back upon the rear ones and the whole seemed to float back down the hill upon this flaming crest of fire—with words of encouragement from Col Rodgers, hurried but partial realignment was effected and the only order to charge again given. The men responded with redoubled fury, but human strength seemed unable to withstand that besom of destruction. The slaughter was fearful, and the assaulting column was again blown back down the hill. as they yielded the second time to that overpowering force, the fourth man fell with the Colors in his hand, and Col Rogers seized them and rode back in the midst of his heroic band, once more forming them in a ragged line. he asked if they were willing to follow him, and they responded with a yell of approval. the order to advance was again given and the Colonel rode straight up the hill directly toward the fort with the Colors in his hand. he kept his eye upon the fort and graduated the pace of his horse to the pace of his men, and the column moved forward at a double quick with heads bowed to receive the deadly missiles like men do when facing the blowing rain. Their ranks were literally plowed through and through but the living closed up the broken ranks left by their fallen comrades and pressed forward directly to the fort. Col Rodgers rode his horse into the ditch at the fort followed by the head of his column. here was made a terrible hand to hand conflict. the onset of the Texans was made with such reckless desperation that the Ohioans are put to flight, leaving one half of their number upon the ground either killed or wounded Col Rodgers climbed upon the parapet and plants his flag on the walls of Ft Robinett and fell pierced by many bullets, but he lived long enough to see his men in full possession of this almost impregnable fortress. Thus ended one of the most daring deeds in the annals of war. The whole country was electrified by the news of this fearless assault, the papers north & south characterized this as the most gallant deed of the war. as long as courage manliness and fortitude and honor exist the name of Rodgers and Ft Robinett will be revered and honored among his countrymen. Sleep on brave ones your fame is national your heroic death is one of the most brilliant illustrations of American Chivalry and sheds an imperishable halo of glory upon the Confederate dead at fort Robinett          over /

 

"Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead!

Dear as the blood ye gave

No impious footstep here shall tread

The herbage of your grave;

Nor shall your glory be forgot

While fame her record keeps,

Or honor point, the hallowed spot

Where valor proudly sleeps.

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