CHAPTER XXXV.
MOVEMENT AGAINST JACKSON--FALL OF JACKSON--INTERCEPTING THE ENEMY -- BATTLE OF CHAMPION'S HILL.
When the news reached me of McPherson's victory at Raymond about sundown my position was with Sherman.

I decided at once to turn the whole column towards Jackson and capture that place without delay.
Pemberton was now on my left, with, as I supposed, about 18,000 men; in fact, as I learned afterwards, with nearly 50,000.

A force was also collecting on my right, at Jackson, the point where all the railroads communicating with Vicksburg connect.

All the enemy's supplies of men and stores would come by that point.

As I hoped in the end to besiege Vicksburg I must first destroy all possibility of aid.