> 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.

Grant had standing orders to go no farther south overland, and had stated that he did not have sufficient force to move past Grenada. Grant would have returned to Memphis and assumed command of the riverine campaign, Van Dorn or no Van Dorn.

Grant was still entertaining the option of moving to meet Sherman, but that option was wholly contigent upon a victory by Sherman.