The Battle of Raymond was fought on May 12, 1863, near Raymond, Mississippi, during the Vicksburg campaign of the American Civil War. Initial attempts to capture the strategically important Mississippi River city of Vicksburg failed. Beginning in late April 1863, Major GeneralUlysses S. Grant of the Union Army led another try. After crossing the river into Mississippi and winning the Battle of Port Gibson, Grant started a movement to the east, intending to turn back west and attack Vicksburg. During this movement, a portion of Grant's army consisting of Major General James B. McPherson's 10,000 to 12,000-man XVII Corps moved northeast towards Raymond. The Confederatecommander of Vicksburg, Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton ordered Brigadier General John Gregg and his 3,000 to 4,000-strong brigade from Jackson to Raymond. ~ Wikipedia