I had expected to leave Sherman at Jackson another day in order to complete his work; but getting the above information I sent him orders to move with all dispatch to Bolton, and to put one division with an ammunition train on the road at once, with directions to its commander to march with all possible speed until he came up to our rear.  Within an hour after receiving this order Steele’s division was on the road.  At the same time I dispatched to Blair, who was near Auburn, to move with all speed to Edward’s station.  McClernand was directed to embrace Blair in his command for the present.  Blair’s division was a part of the 15th army corps (Sherman’s); but as it was on its way to join its corps, it naturally struck our left first, now that we had faced about and were moving west.  The 15th corps, when it got up, would be on our extreme right.  McPherson was directed to get his trains out of the way of the troops, and to follow Hovey’s division as closely as possible.  McClernand had two roads about three miles apart, converging at Edward’s station, over which to march his troops.  Hovey’s division of his corps had the advance on a third road (the Clinton) still farther north.  McClernand was directed to move Blair’s and A. J. Smith’s divisions by the southernmost of these roads, and Osterhaus and Carr by the middle road.  Orders were to move cautiously with skirmishers to the front to feel for the enemy.

Smith’s division on the most southern road was the first to encounter the enemy’s pickets, who were speedily driven in.  Osterhaus, on the middle road, hearing the firing, pushed his skirmishers forward, found the enemy’s pickets and forced them back to the main line.  About the same time Hovey encountered the enemy on the northern or direct wagon road from Jackson to Vicksburg.  McPherson was hastening up to join Hovey, but was embarrassed by Hovey’s trains occupying the roads.  I was still back at Clinton.  McPherson sent me word of the situation, and expressed the wish that I was up.  By half-past seven I was on the road and proceeded rapidly to the front, ordering all trains that were in front of troops off the road.  When I arrived Hovey’s skirmishing amounted almost to a battle.

McClernand was in person on the middle road and had a shorter distance to march to reach the enemy’s position than McPherson.  I sent him word by a staff officer to push forward and attack.  These orders were repeated several times without apparently expediting McClernand’s advance.

Champion’s Hill, where Pemberton had chosen his position to receive us, whether taken by accident or design, was well selected.  It is one of the highest points in that section, and commanded all the ground in range.  On the east side of the ridge, which is quite precipitous, is a ravine running first north, then westerly, terminating at Baker’s Creek.  It was grown up thickly with large trees and undergrowth, making it difficult to penetrate