All through that forest the camps of our army were scattered.  During the first few days after the battle they showed much irregularity, but gradually took a more systematic shape.  When the wounded had been sent to the transports, the regiments compacted, the camps cleared of superfluous baggage and materiel, and the weather became more propitious, the army assumed an attractive appearance.

When the news of the battle reached the principal cities of the West, the Sanitary Commission prepared to send relief.  Within twenty-four hours, boats were dispatched from St. Louis and Cincinnati, and hurried to Pittsburg Landing with the utmost rapidity.  The battle had not been altogether unexpected, but it found us without the proper preparation.  Whatever we had was pushed forward without delay, and the sufferings of the wounded were alleviated as much as possible.

As fast as the boats arrived they were loaded with wounded, and sent to St. Louis and other points along the Mississippi, or to Cincinnati and places in its vicinity.  Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati were the principal points represented in this work of humanity.  Many prominent ladies of those cities passed week after week in the hospitals or on the transports, doing every thing in their power, and giving their attention to friend and foe alike.

In all cases the Rebels were treated with the same kindness that our own men received.  Not only on the boats, but in the hospitals where the wounded were distributed, and until they were fully recovered, our suffering prisoners were faithfully nursed.  The Rebel papers afterward admitted this kind treatment, but declared it was a Yankee trick to win the sympathies of our prisoners, and cause them to abandon the insurgent cause.  The men who systematically starved their prisoners, and deprived them of shelter and clothing, could readily suspect the humanity of others.  They were careful never to attempt to kill by kindness, those who were so unfortunate as to fall into their hands.

It was three weeks after the battle before all the wounded were sent away, and the army was ready for offensive work.  When we were once more in fighting trim, our lines were slowly pushed forward.  General Pope had been called from the vicinity of Fort Pillow, after his capture of Island Number Ten, and his army was placed in position on the left of the line already formed.  When our advance began, we mustered a hundred and ten thousand men.  Exclusive of those who do not take part in a battle, we could have easily brought eighty thousand men into action.  We began the siege of Corinth with every confidence in our ability to succeed.

In this advance, we first learned how an army should intrench itself.  Every time we took a new position, we proceeded to throw up earth-works.  Before the siege was ended, our men had perfected themselves in the art of intrenching.  The defenses we erected will long remain as monuments of the war in Western Tennessee.  Since General Halleck, no other commander has shown such ability to fortify in an open field against an enemy that was acting on the defensive.