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

‘ [259] as will secure a prompt concentration of your forces.’ Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, of Grant's staff, was at this time sent forward to communicate to McClernand the information received, and with verbal instructions for the disposition of his forces.

Three roads lead to Edward's station from the Raymond and Bolton road, one diverging a mile and a half north of Raymond, a second three miles and a half farther north, and on the third, which is seven and a half miles from Raymond, Hovey and McPherson were moving. These were known as the southern, middle, and northern roads to Edward's station. McClernand was ordered to move Blair and A. J. Smith by the southern road, to put Carr and Osterhaus on the middle road, converging to the same point, and to advance Hovey on the direct road from Bolton to Edward's station; and, finally, to establish communications between all parts of his line. When these dispositions were made, he was to feel the enemy with a heavy line of skirmishers, but not to bring on a general engagement unless certain of success.

He advanced slowly; and, at seven o'clock, just as Pemberton's reverse movement began, the rebel skirmishers were met by Smith's division, on the southern road, about five and a half miles from Edward's station. The enemy's pickets at once retired, and Smith, advancing about half a mile, delivered a brisk artillery-fire, which was immediately returned. Hearing the report of guns on his left, Osterhaus now pushed forward on the middle road, as far as a thick wood covering a chaos of hills and abrupt ravines. He drove a line of rebel skirmishers from the skirt of this wood, and uncovered a large body of the enemy.