May 20 is the twenty-second day of General Halleck's twenty-two mile advance on Corinth, MS, and the following status report was sent to the Secretary of War.
FARMINGTON, May 20, 1862-8 p.m.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Our forces have been within 4 miles of Corinth for two days past. Enemy not disposed to attack in force, but we have had brisk skirmishing yesterday and to-day. To-morrow some troops will be moved forward to reconnoiter position of enemy. Heavy rains this evening. Please reply to my message of Saturday.
THOMAS A. SCOTT,
Assistant Secretary of War.*
One wonders if the West Point graduate might have been absent from math class years ago when this classic problem was presented: If you are 22 miles away from your destination and each day you travel 1/2 the remaining distance, how many days will it take to get there?
*ORE correspondence courtesy of my Favorite Link, Ohio State's eHistory
This blog chronicles the life of the 17th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the American Civil War on the 150th aniversary of their service. Follow these volunteers through several major battles while experiencing both the pace and duration of the conflict. The posts may be read chronologically by accessing the archives and selecting them individually, beginning with the Preface.
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