Corinth in Alcorn County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
War in a Railroad Town
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 14, 2021
1. War in a Railroad Town Marker
Noting her location at the junction of the two longest railroads in the South, General Ulysses S. Grant called Corinth the great strategic point in the West.
Confederate Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker concurred with this assessment, arguing the rail line through Corinth must be defended at all hazards. These roads constitute the vertebrae of the Confederacy.
In the weeks following the battle of Shiloh, five armies and over 200,000 men struggled here to possess the vital railroad junction.
Beauregard understood the stakes, predicting If defeated here we lose the Mississippi Valley and probably our cause. However, on May 30, 1862, advancing Federals forced the southern leader to vacate the city.
(captions)
Background image: The Corinth railroad depot and the Tishomingo Hotel. Note the photography studios on the left of the hotel. Collection of Van Hedges.
The Corinth railroad depot and the Tishomingo Hotel. (Image shows residents of the Corinth Contraband Camp awaiting transfer to a new camp near Memphis, December, 1836. Collection of Van Hedges.
View of Battery Williams
this page online
General Pierre G.T. Beauregard organized and led the defense of Corinth in May, 1862. Photo: Library of Congress.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1862.
Location. 34° 56.085′ N, 88° 31.311′ W. Marker is in Corinth, Mississippi, in Alcorn County. It can be reached from the intersection of Jackson Street and Cruise Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corinth MS 38834, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically ast Mississippi in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Decision at the Crossroads" (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Decision at the Crossroads (a few steps from this marker); Trailhead Park (a few steps from this marker); Corinth Panorama 1862 (within shouting distance of this marker); View Toward Batteries Robinett and Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); "A beehive of activity..." (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Troops at Corinth (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Tishomingo Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corinth.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 14, 2021
2. War in a Railroad Town Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 334 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
