The enemy was driven back all day, as we had been the day before, until finally he beat a precipitate retreat.

The last point held by him was near the road leading from the landing to Corinth, on the left of Sherman and right of McClernand.

About three o'clock, being near that point and seeing that the enemy was giving way everywhere else, I gathered up a couple of regiments, or parts of regiments, from troops near by, formed them in line of battle and marched them forward, going in front myself to prevent premature or long-range firing.

At this point there was a clearing between us and the enemy favorable for charging, although exposed.

I knew the enemy were ready to break and only wanted a little encouragement from us to go quickly and join their friends who had started earlier.