Last updated: June 30, 2024
Place
Corinth Tour #2, Stop #3 - Farmington Engagement
NPS Collection
Siege of Corinth - Farmington Engagement
General P. G. T. Beauregard’s only hope of holding Corinth was to capitalize on a mistake by the careful Major General Henry W. Halleck, and on May 7, 1862, he sensed an opportunity. Major General John Pope’s Army of the Mississippi had made a reconnaissance to the outskirts of Corinth and then fell back to the far side of Seven Mile Creek. A small brigade under Colonel John Loomis was left to picket the small community of Farmington. The presence of Union troops in Farmington posed a threat to Beauregard’s right flank and he moved to first cut off the exposed brigade and then turn Halleck’s left by crushing Pope’s army. Five divisions were moved into position on May 8, 1862, to attack Farmington from the south and the west but unexpected problems delayed the assault until the following morning.
General P. G. T. Beauregard’s only hope of holding Corinth was to capitalize on a mistake by the careful Major General Henry W. Halleck, and on May 7, 1862, he sensed an opportunity. Major General John Pope’s Army of the Mississippi had made a reconnaissance to the outskirts of Corinth and then fell back to the far side of Seven Mile Creek. A small brigade under Colonel John Loomis was left to picket the small community of Farmington. The presence of Union troops in Farmington posed a threat to Beauregard’s right flank and he moved to first cut off the exposed brigade and then turn Halleck’s left by crushing Pope’s army. Five divisions were moved into position on May 8, 1862, to attack Farmington from the south and the west but unexpected problems delayed the assault until the following morning.