Creek.  He was actually in command of the only road over which the enemy could retreat; Hovey, reinforced by two brigades from McPherson’s command, confronted the enemy’s left; Crocker, with two brigades, covered their left flank; McClernand two hours before, had been within two miles and a half of their centre with two divisions, and the two divisions, Blair’s and A. J. Smith’s, were confronting the rebel right; Ransom, with a brigade of McArthur’s division of the 17th corps (McPherson’s), had crossed the river at Grand Gulf a few days before, and was coming up on their right flank.  Neither Logan nor I knew that we had cut off the retreat of the enemy.  Just at this juncture a messenger came from Hovey, asking for more reinforcements.  There were none to spare.  I then gave an order to move McPherson’s command by the left flank around to Hovey.  This uncovered the rebel line of retreat, which was soon taken advantage of by the enemy.

During all this time, Hovey, reinforced as he was by a brigade from Logan and another from Crocker, and by Crocker gallantly coming up with two other brigades on his right, had made several assaults, the last one about the time the road was opened to the rear.  The enemy fled precipitately.  This was between three and four o’clock.  I rode forward, or rather back, to where the middle road intersects the north road, and found the skirmishers of Carr’s division just coming in.  Osterhaus was farther south and soon after came up with skirmishers advanced in like manner.  Hovey’s division, and McPherson’s two divisions with him, had marched and fought from early dawn, and were not in the best condition to follow the retreating foe.  I sent orders to Osterhaus to pursue the enemy, and to Carr, whom I saw personally, I explained the situation and directed him to pursue vigorously as far as the Big Black, and to cross it if he could; Osterhaus to follow him.  The pursuit was continued until after dark.

The battle of Champion’s Hill lasted about four hours, hard fighting, preceded by two or three hours of skirmishing, some of which almost rose to the dignity of battle.  Every man of Hovey’s division and of McPherson’s two divisions was engaged during the battle.  No other part of my command was engaged at all, except that as described before.  Osterhaus’s and A. J. Smith’s divisions had encountered the rebel advanced pickets as early as half-past seven.  Their positions were admirable for advancing upon the enemy’s line.  McClernand, with two divisions, was within a few miles of the battle-field long before noon and in easy hearing.  I sent him repeated orders by staff officers fully competent to explain to him the situation.  These traversed the wood separating us, without escort, and directed him to push forward; but he did not come.  It is true, in front of McClernand there was a small force of the enemy and posted in a good position behind a ravine obstructing his advance; but if he had moved