I agree that Grant would not have stayed in Oxford. From everything I see the plans were to push south on the railroad to Grenada, Canton, Jackson, and over to Vicksburg. Or they might have short-cutted to Vicksburg before Jackson. They were beginning to wonder about the success of an overland push, and Van Dorn proved their concerns were valid.

On the other hand, if Grant had properly guarded Holly Springs they could have avoided that disaster, even if a major engagement would have taken place. They were moving too far ahead of their support and when they were sufficiently thinned and vulnerable, Van Dorn struck.