June 12, 1863, Corinth Chanticleer (Corinth, Ms)
There is nothing that tells with such striking examples the difference between the northern and southern armies,–their habits–and mode of living, than the difference in their military posts, and the vast change which they undergo after falling into federal hands. The rebel slovenlyness and disregard of order and cleanliness, may grow out of the fact that they never expect to hold a place any great length of time. But be this as it may, there is no one who has been in the successful army of the west who has not observed that the first thing done after taking possession of a rebel town or fortification is to detail a policing squad to cleanse the place and render it fit for the occupancy of “the men of the North.” As an example of this we wish to site our own beautiful city of Corinth. Those who entered Corinth with the grand Army of the Tennessee, on the 1st of June, 1862, will remember the sad and dilapidated appearance of the place–its streets covered with old barrels, and the debris of the commissary department,–piles of spoiled provisions, sending up an odor which would disgrace a respectable sewer up north, and camp grounds which gave no evidence of ever having been policed, which promising scene was not at all improved by the smoldering ruins of the depot buildings and fire gut […..], the contents of which the retreating rebels could not take away with them.
This is the condition which Corinth presented when Maj. Gen. Halleck took possession of the place, but as it was now to be held and inhabited by wide-awake, enterprising soldiers of the north, it could not long remain in the loathsome condition in which they found it. A few days of rest were allowed the army after the fatiguing advance, and the work of renovation began. Squads of men could be seen all over the town removing the refuse matter which obstructed the streets, and teams were moving back and forth loaded with salt meat and spoiled provisions which even the southern chivalry could not eat, and had been thrown into the streets.–This system of policing was maintained until the city was entirely cleansed of the impurities, and was then extended to the camp grounds which surround the town.
Over a year has passed away since the investment of Corinth by the Federal forces, and we venture to say that there are few who then marched through the streets who would recognize the place now; and many an inhabitant who fled with the rebel army would to-day find it difficult to point out their old homes. There are few places in the country that have undergone so complete and thorough a change. Now a commodious depot and freight buildings have been erected. The business blocks are all occupied by merchants, and there is no greater demand for stores on Broad way New York, than to-day in the city of Corinth, and many fine buildings have been erected by merchants who could not get room otherwise to store their goods. The streets have been curbed and side-walks laid, and nature seems to have co-operated with the enterprise of man, for never was Corinth in such luxuriant bloom as this spring.
Gardens are yielding their earliest fruits. The beautiful garden surrounding the Head Quarters of the General Commanding is perfuming the air with rare exotics, and the roses seem to have caught their bloom from the cheeks of the fair ones that daily trellis and entwine their heavenly laden boughs, and if they do blush it is for those who planted them in other days, who now are in arms to destroy this our beloved country.
We do not wish our enthusiasm to be misconstrued, we have not been led to forget the sweet land of our childhood, nor the loved ones that make our homes so dear, but we are frank to confess that over a year’s residence in Corinth has somewhat attached us to the place, though not so much so as to make us refuse a short leave of absence.