Letter from Wm. P. Lyon to Isaac Lyon.
Camp twelve miles southwest of Hamburg, in Miss., May 3, 1862.—Here we are in the State of Mississippi, only ten miles from Corinth. The whole army is advancing slowly and surely upon that place, and in a very few days the rebels there must either fight us or run.
We moved six miles to this place day before yesterday and expect to move on still further in a day or two. The caution with which the advance is made inspires us with confidence in General Halleck. There will be no more surprise here.
We have a better, if not a larger army, than the rebels, and are better off for artillery than they are. I think the heaviest fighting will be with the artillery. I have not seen Sperry but that one time when we first arrived. He must be three or four miles from where we are.
This is a fine country to look at, but where cultivated seems worn out. The timber is light, much like our openings. On our march out here I saw corn large enough to be hoed, and cherries nearly full size. Crops, what little there are, look very poor.
We see no signs of energy, enterprise, or taste among the few people we encounter. The days are usually warm, but the nights are very cool and pleasant.
I received news today of the death at Sikeston of John H. Lowe, of Springfield. We left him there very sick.
