rded until our troops were well advanced.
It was my intention here to hug the Black river as closely as
possible, with McClernand's and Sherman's corps, and get them to
the railroad, at some place between Edward's Station and Bolton.
McPherson was to move by way of Utica to Raymond, and from there
into Jackson, destroying the railroad, telegraph, and public
stores, etc., and push west to rejoin the main force. Orders were
given to McPherson accordingly. Sherman was moved forward on the
Edward's Station road, crossing Fourteen Mile creek at Dillon's
Plantation; McClernand was moved across the same creek, further
west, sending one division of his corps by the Baldwin's Ferry
road as far as the river. At the crossing of Fourteen Mile (p. 382)
creek both McClernand and Sherman had considerable skirmishing
with the enemy to get possession of the crossing.

McPherson met the enemy near Raymond, two brigades strong under
Gregg and Walker, on the same day engaged him, and after several
hours hard fighting, drove him with heavy loss in killed,
wounded, and prisoners. Many threw down their arms and deserted.

My position at this time was with Sherman's corps, some seven
miles west of Raymond, and about the centre of the army.

On the night of the 12th of May, after orders had been given for
the corps of McClernand and Sherman to march toward the railroads
by parallel roads, the former in the direction of Edward's
Station and the latter to a point on the railroad between
Edward's Station and Bolton, the order was changed and both were
directed to move toward Raymond.

This was in consequence of the enemy having retreated toward
Jackson after his defeat at Raymond, and of information that
re-enforcements were daily arriving at Jackson, and that General
Joe Johnston was hourly expected there to take command in person.
I therefore determined to make sure of that place and leave no
enemy in my rear.

McPherson moved on the 13th to Clinton, destroyed the railroad
and telegraph, and captured some important despatches from
General Pemberton to General Gregg, who had commanded the day
before in the battle of Raymond. Sherman moved to a parallel
position on the Mississippi Springs and Jackson road; McClernand
moved to a point near Raymond.

Th