The Duncan House on Polk Street in Corinth, Mississippi

CORINTH CIVIL WAR DRIVING TOUR STOP 9

The Duncan House is now a private residence at 810 Polk Street in Corinth, Mississippi. It was built in 1857 for William Duncan and his family. The original location was at the corner of Bunch and Jackson streets. It was moved to Polk Street after World War I. There is a small park next to the house on the corner of Polk and Linden streets, Duncan Park, that has a two-car parking lot (one of which is for disabled visitors). Use this if you want to stop and get a photo of the house.

Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard used the Duncan House as his headquarters in 1862 until after the Battle of Shiloh. At this time he moved to the Fish Pond House on Childs Street. When the Union occupied Corinth, the house was the headquarters of General William Rosecrans, and he remained here throughout the Battle of Corinth. After the battle it was used as a telegraph office and housing for the staff of General Grenville Dodge, who was residing at the Veranda House.

William Duncan moved his family south during the fighting at Corinth. Three of his sons served in the Confederate Army; one was killed. The Duncans returned to Corinth after the war. William passed away here in 1876, and his son Thomas, who was only 15 when he joined the army, fixed up the house and continued to live in it. It is here that he wrote his memoirs.

While the Duncan House is not open to the public, those who stop by are welcome at Duncan Park next door. Along with a few benches, eight information panels cover a variety of topics, including the history of the Duncan House, the Corinth Contraband Camp, the importance of the railroads that came through Corinth, and the Battle of Corinth.