The opposition increased as we neared Corinth, and at a place called Russell's we had a sharp affair of one brigade, under the immediate direction of Brigadier-General Morgan L.Smith, assisted by the brigade of General Denver.

This affair occurred on the 19th of May, and our line was then within about two miles of the northern intrenchments of Corinth.
On the 27th I received orders from General Halleck "to send a force the next day to drive the rebels from the house in our front, on the Corinth road, to drive in their pickets as far as possible, and to make a strong demonstration on Corinth itself;" authorizing me to call on any adjacent division for assistance.
I reconnoitred the ground carefully, and found that the main road led forward along the fence of a large cotton-field to our right front, and ascended a wooded hill, occupied in some force by the enemy, on which was the farm-house referred to in General Halleck's orders.

At the farther end of the field was a double log-house, whose chinking had been removed; so that it formed a good block house from which the enemy could fire on any person approaching from our quarter.
General Hurlbut's division was on my immediate left, and General McClernand's reserve on our right rear.

I asked of each the assistance of a brigade.

The former sent General Veatch's, and the latter General John A.Logan's brigade.