On my arrival I ordered McClernand to move early in the morning on Edward's station, cautioning him to watch for the enemy and not bring on an engagement unless he felt very certain of success.
I naturally expected that Pemberton would endeavor to obey the orders of his superior, which I have shown were to attack us at Clinton.

This, indeed, I knew he could not do; but I felt sure he would make the attempt to reach that point.

It turned out, however, that he had decided his superior's plans were impracticable, and consequently determined to move south from Edward's station and get between me and my base.

I, however, had no base, having abandoned it more than a week before.

On the 15th Pemberton had actually marched south from Edward's station, but the rains had swollen Baker's Creek, which he had to cross so much that he could not ford it, and the bridges were washed away.
This brought him back to the Jackson road, on which there was a good bridge over Baker's Creek.