McPherson's Deployment

Marching north toward Raymond on the Utica Road, the vanguard of Logan’s Union division came under gunfire as it approached the Fourteenmile Creek bridge. Though confident he outnumbered the enemy, Maj. Gen. James McPherson committed his troops cautiously. As his men came over the ridge and into the bottomland, they spread into a battle line in freshly plowed fields facing Fourteenmile Creek. Windless, oppressive weather allowed dust and gun smoke to hang in the valley, making it difficult for commanders to see clearly on the battlefield. McPherson had more men available than he had room to maneuver, and when Confederates advancing from the Gallatin Road crossed the creek, they suddenly found themselves facing far more Federals than they had expected. Pvt. W.J. Davidson of the 41st Tennessee recalled that Captain Boone’s company was deployed as skirmishers while the regiment formed along the road in an excellent defensive position, and that Boone’s death briefly cast gloom over the regiment before the excitement of battle took over. Lt. Henry O. Dwight of the 20th Ohio recalled that when the regiment to his right began to give way and the line wavered toward collapse, General Logan dashed up and turned the men back to their places, which they then regained and held.

Mississippi · United States