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

At one o'clock on the 15th, in open disobedience of his orders, Pemberton moved his entire force from Edward's station towards Dillon's; but the heavy Rains had made Baker's creek impassable by the ordinary ford on the main Raymond road, and the bridge had been washed away by previous freshets: the column was, therefore, marched by the northern or Clinton road, on which there was a good bridge; and after crossing the creek, it filed to the right on a neighborhood road, so as to strike the Raymond road, about three and a half miles from Edward's depot; a short distance beyond this junction Pemberton went into camp. He was anxious to reconnoitre in front, and his troops were in motion till midnight; he, therefore, did not issue orders to continue the movement on the 16th.¹

At about six and a half o'clock of the next day (the 16th), however, he received positive orders from Johnston to join him at Clinton. ‘May 15th, 1863, 8.30 A. M. Our being compelled to leave Jackson makes your plan impracticable. The only mode by which we can unite is by your moving directly to Clinton, and informing me that we may move to that point with about six thousand men.’ Pemberton, no longer daring to disregard his superior, immediately directed a retrograde movement, reversing his column as it stood. His purpose was to return