Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[230] and strike the railroad with them beyond Edward's station, somewhere between that place and Bolton, forty or fifty miles from Hankinson's ferry. Meanwhile, McPherson was to move by way of Utica to Raymond, thirty-five miles from the ferry, and thence into Jackson, twenty miles further, destroying the railroad, telegraph, and public stores there; he was then to push west and rejoin the main force. By these dispositions, Grant would avoid a battle with the main rebel army on the ground selected by Pemberton; he could also protect McPherson in his easterly movement, and keep all his own troops within supporting distance of each other, no matter on which side they might be attacked; while, at the same time, he divided the enemy, interposing between Pemberton and the rebel forces at Jackson.

Sherman and McPherson understood this arrangement; the latter especially was aware that, if possible, he was to push on towards Jackson, though, of course, not without express orders. These Grant never gave in advance; it was his custom always to await the contingencies of a campaign. None of his plans were so precise that he could not-vary them; all allowed for the uncertain and unexpected movements of the enemy. After the great features of a campaign, or the principal object of a battle was indicated, and the position of troops at the outset determined, he contented himself beforehand with giving orders for the earliest movements; always expecting to be governed afterwards by the emergencies that were sure to arise. Many of his most notable successes were inspired at the moment, like the advance of Smith, at Donelson, or the move to the interior, in the Vicksburg campaign. Yet these