Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/621

138 to Raymond. On the 11th, General Tilghman, stationed at Baldwin's ferry, reported that the enemy was pushing back his skirmishers; and Pemberton, in anticipation of a battle at Edwards, ordered Gen. W. H. T. Walker, who had been sent with his brigade from Bragg’s army to Jackson, to join Gregg, the united force to strike the Federal rear after battle was joined.

General Gregg with his Tennessee brigade, about 3,000 strong, reached Raymond from Jackson on the evening of the 11th, and found the people in consternation on account of the news of a Federal advance. He was advised of the approach of the enemy by his cavalry pickets, but not informed of his numbers, and was led to believe by the orders from Pemberton that it was only a marauding excursion. The Federals arrived and opened an artillery fire at 10 o'clock, May 12th. Gregg moved forward to support his pickets, and presently, judging that only one brigade was before him, disposed his regiments to make an attack both in front and flank, hoping to capture the enemy. His men advanced and drove back the first lines before them, but soon perceived that they were assailing overwhelming numbers. The fight was kept up gallantly for three hours against Logan’s division, supported by the remainder of McPherson’s corps, and then Gregg withdrew in good order, the retrograde movement being gallantly covered by a few companies of Kentucky cavalry and Captain Bledsoe's battery. The battle of Raymond was reported by the Federals as a very considerable affair, and they had to mourn the loss of 66 killed, 339 wounded and 37 captured. The Confederate loss was also severe, 73 killed, 251 wounded, and 190 missing, among the killed and wounded being a number of gallant officers. Gregg, reinforced by 1,000 men under Walker, encamped that night five miles from the battlefield, and on the 13th fell back to Jackson, where the remainder of Walker's brigade increased the force to 6,000.