after followed with the whole division—infantry, artillery, and cavalry.
General M. L. Smith's brigade moved rapidly down the main road, entering the first redoubt of the enemy at 7 A. M. It was completely evacuated, and by 8 A. M. all my division was at Corinth and beyond.
The force of General Beauregard was less than forty-five thousand effective men. He estimated that of the enemy to be between eighty-five and ninety thousand men. All the troops of the enemy in reserve in Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois were brought forward, except the force of Curtis, in Arkansas, and placed in front of our position.
No definite idea of their number was formed.
In the opinion of Beauregard, a general attack was not to be hazarded; on May 3d, however, an advance was made to attack the corps of General Pope, when only one of his divisions was in position, and that gave way so rapidly it could not be overtaken.
Again on May 9th an advance was made, hoping to surprise the enemy.
B