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On the 16th, while this furious battle was being fought, Johnston, who had marched ten miles and a half the day before, rested his troops, and lost a day.1
Sherman had evacuated Jackson by noon of the 16th, paroling his prisoners, and leaving his wounded on account of the haste of the movement.2 He marched twenty miles, reaching Bolton with his entire command the same day, and was that night informed of the victory of Champion's hill, and ordered to turn his corps northward to Bridgeport, pressing forward without delay.
His rear-guard arrived at Bolton at two A. M. on the morning of the 17th, and the same troops started for Bridgeport at four and a half.
Blair was informed: ‘Sherman is ordered to Bridgeport with his corps.
He will probably arrive there this morning’ (May 17th). ‘Move to the same point with your division, and take the pontoon train with you.’
Blair was to move by way of Edward's station.
This arrangement brought Sherman's whole corps together at the most favorable position for crossing the Big Black river, and turning the enemy's left flank, or, if it became more desirable, for striking the important position of Haine's bluff.
It had
The brigadier-generals reporting that their troops required rest, after the fatigue they had undergone in the skirmishes and marches preceding the retreat from Jackson, and having yet no certain intelligence of General Pemberton's route or General Gist's position, I did not move on Saturday. Johnston's Report.
It is a matter of great anxiety to me to add this little force to your army, but the enemy being exactly between us, and consultation by correspondence so slow, it is difficult to arrange a meeting. Johnston to Pemberton, May 16th, from Calhoun.
2 On the 17th, Grant sent back an officer under flag of truce, with provisions for these wounded, necessarily left to the tender mercies of the rebels. He sent supplies for his wounded enemies as well.
New York Appleton 1885.
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