For myself I am satisfied that Corinth could have been captured in a two days' campaign commenced promptly on the arrival of reinforcements after the battle of Shiloh.
General Halleck at once commenced erecting fortifications around Corinth on a scale to indicate that this one point must be held if it took the whole National army to do it.

All commanding points two or three miles to the south, south-east and south-west were strongly fortified.

It was expected in case of necessity to connect these forts by rifle-pits.
They were laid out on a scale that would have required 100,000 men to fully man them.

It was probably thought that a final battle of the war would be fought at that point.

These fortifications were never used.
Immediately after the occupation of Corinth by the National troops, General Pope was sent in pursuit of the retreating garrison and General Buell soon followed.