RAYMOND, Battle of. After the battle of Port Gibson (q.v,). 1 May 1863. the Con federates fell back beyond the Bayou Pierre and destroyed the bridges. General Grant followed on the 2d, occupied Port Gibson, and the same evening the Confederates continued their retreat across Big Black River, at Hankinson's Ferry, leaving a iorce behind to prevent the crossing, which was attacked on the morning of the 3d by Crocker's division of McPher son's corps. The Confederates stoutly con tested the ground, retiring very slowly, until late in the day, when Logan's division came upon their flank, when they hastily crossed the river. McPherson's corps was moved forward to Hankinson's Ferry and McClernand's to Willow Springs, where they remained until the 7th, when, Sherman's corps having crossed the Mississippi, the advance was resumed. the main body of the army moving along the line of the Big Black toward Edwards' Station, midway between Vicksburg and Jackson, while Mc Pherson, on the right, was directed upon Jack son, the capital of the State, 45 miles east of Vicksburg, and the geographical and railway centre of the State. On the night of the lit McPherson bivouacked five miles northeast of Utica, on the road to Raymond, and early in the morning pushed rapidly for Raymond, 18 miles from Jackson, hoping to capture some commissary stores, but before 9 A.M. Logan's
division, in the advance, encountered a strong body of the enemy, upon which the division was deployed and continued its advance for two hours, when, corning to a small stream crossing the road about two miles from Raymond, Gen eral Gregg's brigade of about 3,000 men, with two batteries, was seen beyond the stream, dis posed to enfilade the road and bridge .over the stream. Logan threw out skirmishers and advanced, bringing on a severe engagement which continued more than two hours, when the leading brigade of Crocker's division came up to his support, upon which Gregg leaving two dis abled guns, abandoned the field and retreated toward Jackson, being joined on the) way by Walker's brigade, and when overtaken by night, bivouacking five miles from the field, The Union loss was 66 killed, 339 wounded and 37 missing. Gregg reported a loss of 73 killed, 229 wounded and 204 missing. Consult 'Official Records,' Vol. XXIV; Grant, 'Personal Me moirs,' Vol. II.