Located 3.5 miles south of Edwards, the Mt. Moriah crossroads was occupied by Union Gen. John McClernand's XIII Corps on May 12, 1863. McClernand intended to move north and cut the Mississippi Southern Railroad, but Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton anticipated the move and placed three divisions south of Edwards to block him. After a sharp skirmish, McClernand prepared to engage the Confederates, but Grant instead ordered him to move to Jackson after the battle of Raymond.