Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 3.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

At the same hour that the Union general was issuing his instructions Pemberton received another despatch from Johnston, dated on the morning of the 15th, in reply to the one in which he had informed him of his movement upon Dillon's. The commanding general positively disapproved of this movement, and ordered him to proceed in the direction of Clinton and to endeavor to unite their divided forces. This time Pemberton deemed it proper to obey. He thought, very justly, that the safest route was not that which passes south of the railroad, striking the latter at Bolton, but the route called the Brownsville road, which passes round the right bank of Baker's Creek and follows the railroad track north for a certain distance. By following this route he had a greater chance of avoiding the Federals during the flank movement which would bring him in the neighborhood of Clinton. To accomplish this, it was necessary to recross Baker's Creek. His whole army was ordered to face about, as Grant's army had done the previous day, and to take the road over which it had just marched; so that Stevenson led the advance, Bowen remained in the centre, and Loring followed him. Adams' cavalry was to cover this retreat.

But the movement had scarcely begun when, at seven o'clock in the morning, Adams was attacked by the skirmishers of Smith's division, which had left Raymond before daylight. The first encounter took place at a point situated within four miles of Edwards' Station. Smith, having speedily reached this point, opened fire with his artillery upon the enemy's rear-guard. During this time the rest of the Confederate army was continuing its march along the cross-road: it was advancing slowly, clearing its right flank, all the wagons having been sent forward in the direction of Baker's Creek bridge.

Pemberton's march is soon interrupted. In fact, at the booming of cannon on his left, Osterhaus, who is following the middle route, quickens his steps and strikes the enemy's column at the main crossing, where the cross-road connects with this route. A brisk combat immediately follows. Pemberton has no choice left. He cannot continue his retreat without running the risk of being cut in two; he must fight. Fortunately for him, the ground on which he has just been surprised offers some excellent defensive