I finally figured out the likely reason that the 23rd Indiana ended up on the other side of 14 Mile Creek alone. The clue comes from regimental histories, which note that the XVII Corps was maintaining strict drum and bugle silence. Corroborated by this are reports of the 10th/30th TN and the 50th TN that the only indication of federal units to their front were the shouts of the officers to the men. Because the order to move forward was delivered by courier, the line lurched forward unevenly. The 23rd Indiana had the distinct misfortune of simply being the first unit to respond to the order.

What is the significance of McPherson maintaining drum and bugle silence in the face of the enemy? Surprise. The fact that the enemy was strongly posted at Raymond meant that the battle for the state capital would likely be fought in Raymond, outside the fortifications of Jackson, if McPherson could mask the size of his force. Units in Smith's brigade report being formed behind the hill (inappropriately named "McPherson Ridge" or "Artillery Ridge") and marched through the fields into their place in line. This hid the deployment of the brigade and limited the amount of tell-tale dust that would be kicked up.

Hickenlooper reports Logan bombatically demanding to be allowed to charge across Fourteen Mile Creek with only one brigade. McPherson finally told him to shut up and take orders. McPherson sensed the ambush, and set one of his own. The Battle of Raymond was a masterful game of cat and mouse, an aspect of the battle that doesn't come across in the traditional telling of the story.