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

In conformity with his orders, McClernand now occupied Clinton with one division, Mississippi Springs with another, and Raymond with a third; his fourth division was at Auburn. Blair's division, of Sherman's corps, had come up with a wagon-train from Grand Gulf, and was also at New Auburn;¹ while McArthur, with one brigade of his division of Mc-Pherson's corps, had also arrived from the river, and was moving towards Raymond, on the Utica road. These forces were all held in reserve: it was not Grant's intention to move them any nearer to Jackson, but simply to have them within supporting distance, if the resistance at that place should prove more obstinate than there seemed reason to anticipate.

While dispositions for the attack were making at the front, a very heavy shower set in, which deferred the battle for an hour and a half; the rain coming down in such torrents that there was great danger of the ammunition being spoiled, if the men opened their cartridge-boxes. The time, however, was well employed, putting the troops in position; and McPherson brought up Logan's division as a reserve. The enemy in McPherson's front occupied a a semicircular ridge stretching across the main Clinton road, his right holding a piece of woods, and his centre and left commanding a rolling ground in front, over which it was necessary for McPherson to pass, in order to make an assault. Two rebel batteries were