At dusk on May 2, 1863, when Union Gen. J. B. McPherson's XVII Corps reached Grindstone Ford, 2 miles south of here, the troops found the bridge across Big Bayou Pierre burning, but Col. J. H. Wilson and a detachment put out the fire and the Federals repaired the bridge during the night. Also during the night, Col. A. E. Reynolds' Mississippians reached Willow Springs, took position on the bluffs overlooking the bottom, and waited for the Yankees to cross the river. On May 3, Gen. J. A. Logan's division spearheaded the Union advance, and Confederate artillery opened as the bluecoats scaled the escarpment, forcing Logan to halt and deploy. Seeing he was terribly outnumbered, Reynolds pulled back and set up a roadblock at Ingraham's plantation one-half mile northeast of here, where he was reinforced. Pushing on, the Federals, after a spirited clash, drove the Rebels from Ingraham's and back toward Hankinson's Ferry. While Gen. U.S. Grant regrouped his army and waited for Gen. W. T. Sherman's arrival, troops of McClernand's XIII Corps camped here from May 3 to 7, and Union foragers visited the neighboring plantation, seizing food and supplies.