On the north it is about two hundred feet above the Mississippi River at the highest point and very much cut up by the washing rains; the ravines were grown up with cane and underbrush, while the sides and tops were covered with a dense forest.

Farther south the ground flattens out somewhat, and was in cultivation.

But here, too, it was cut up by ravines and small streams.

The enemy's line of defence followed the crest of a ridge from the river north of the city eastward, then southerly around to the Jackson road, full three miles back of the city; thence in a southwesterly direction to the river.

Deep ravines of the description given lay in front of these defences.