Grant, besides cutting himself off from his own superiors at Washington, was also destroying communication between the garrison of Jackson and Pemberton's army of Vicksburg, which was not far away.

The two united might beat him, but he meant to defeat them separately, and then besiege Vicksburg.

It was a complicated plan, depending upon quickness, courage and continued success.

Yet the mind of Grant, though operating afterward on fields of greater numbers, was never clearer or more vigorous.
They went into camp again after dark, knowing that Jackson was but a short distance away, and they expected to attack early in the morning.
Dick carried another dispatch to Sherman, who was only a little more than two miles from them, and on his way back he joined Colonel Winchester, who, with Warner, Pennington and a hundred infantry, had come out for a scout.

The dismounted men were chosen because they wished to beat up a difficult piece of wooded country.
They went directly toward Jackson, advancing very cautiously through the forest, the mounted officers riding slowly.