He sent from there to Pemberton dispatches announcing the loss of Jackson, and the following order: "As soon as the reinforcements are all up, they must be united to the rest of the army.

I am anxious to see a force assembled that may be able to inflict a heavy blow upon the enemy.

Can Grant supply himself from the Mississippi?
Can you not cut him off from it, and above all, should he be compelled to fall back for want of supplies, beat him." The concentration of my troops was easy, considering the character of the country.

McPherson moved along the road parallel with and near the railroad.

McClernand's command was, one division (Hovey's) on the road McPherson had to take, but with a start of four miles.