By moving against the enemy and into his unsubdued, or not yet captured, territory, driving their army before us, these lines would nearly hold themselves; thus affording a large force for field operations.

My moving force at that time was about 30,000 men, and I estimated the enemy confronting me, under Pemberton, at about the same number.

General McPherson commanded my left wing and General C.S.Hamilton the centre, while Sherman was at Memphis with the right wing.

Pemberton was fortified at the Tallahatchie, but occupied Holly Springs and Grand Junction on the Mississippi Central railroad.

On the 8th we occupied Grand Junction and La Grange, throwing a considerable force seven or eight miles south, along the line of the railroad.