236 The Mississippi Valley in the Civil War

5000 Confederates in a strong position at Ray-Second vie- mond and routed them in a sharp

tory; atRaymond.

fight of two hours, each side losingabout 400 in killed and wounded. Theenemy also lost 400 in prisoners, and thus discom-fited withdrew to Jackson.

Meanwhile Pemberton, supposing Grant’s imme-diate goal to be Edwards’s station, advanced inthat direction, intending to offer battle; but Grantwas not quite ready to dispose of him. He rightlyinterpreted the affair at Raymond as indicating aconcentration of rebel forces about Jackson, andhis first business was to nip it in the bud. Ac-cordingly he turned McClernand and Shermaneastward upon Clinton to support McPherson inhis advance upon Jackson. On the evening ofthe 13th General Johnston arrived at Jackson andtook command, but could muster only 6000 men,mostly consisting of those who had been defeatedThird vie- the day before at Raymond. Rein-tory; at forcements were on the way, however,

Jackson. an( j j n a f ew days Johnston would

have had over 20,000 men; but Grant’s celerityspoiled all this. On the 14th, while the other twocorps were within supporting distance, McPhersoncame up and overwhelmed Johnston, capturing800 prisoners and all his artillery. McPherson’sloss was about 250. The stars and stripes were