Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[246] also in position, one covering the road, and the other having a good range across the open field. The national troops were deployed on both sides of the road, in the timber, and in the open field; and Stevenson's brigade of Logan's division was thrown across a ravine, to the extreme left, with orders to advance and gain a road which enters the city from the northwest.

At eleven o'clock, the rain having partially ceased, McPherson ordered an advance, preceded by a heavy line of skirmishers, which soon became warmly engaged. These drove the pickets of the enemy back towards his main line, and into a ravine filled with willows. Here the national skirmishers halted for a few moments, when the rebel fire becoming heavy, they were recalled to their regiments, and a charge was ordered. Crocker's whole line at once swept forward with cheers, and in perfect order, drove the enemy out of the ravine, and charged gallantly up the hill.¹ The rebels did not wait to receive the full force of the assault, but broke and fled precipitately, behind their works.

McPherson followed for a mile and a half, till he came within range of the artillery of the defences of Jackson. Here he wheeled two batteries into the first advantageous position, and opened a well-directed and effective fire on the retreating enemy. When the troops reached this point, they were halted, and the line was re-formed, having become somewhat broken in marching over the uneven ground. Skirmishers were immediately thrown out, and officers