This force encountered the head of Van Dorn's retreating column just as it was crossing the Hatchie by a bridge some ten miles out from Corinth.

The bottom land here was swampy and bad for the operations of troops, making a good place to get an enemy into.

Ord attacked the troops that had crossed the bridge and drove them back in a panic.

Many were killed, and others were drowned by being pushed off the bridge in their hurried retreat.

Ord followed and met the main force.