Col. J. Stoddard Johnston, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 9.1, Kentucky
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

On the 17th of July General Bragg ordered Gen. Frank C. Armstrong, his commander of cavalry, to move at once northward toward the Tennessee line, as near as practicable to Decatur, preliminary to his advance against General Buell. On the 19th, General Smith, being again threatened, urged General Bragg to send more reinforcements, to which reply was made that it was impossible as he was confronted by a superior force. Richmond being again appealed to on the 21st, General Bragg issued orders directing General Hardee to proceed with Cheatham's, Withers' and Jones' divisions to Chattanooga by rail via Mobile, the artillery, engineer, pioneer and wagon trains to move thence via Aberdeen and Columbus, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden and Rome, 400 miles. There is no intimation that he intended to send additional troops or to go himself until after the following letter from General Smith:¹

Headquarters Department of East Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., July 24, 1862.
Gen. Braxton Bragg, Commanding Army of the Mississippi:

General: Buell's movements and preparations indicate a speedy attack on this department. The completion of his arrangements was delayed by the expedition under Colonel Forrest. The expedition was sent with the expectation that it would retard the enemy and give time for your advance. Your telegrams of the 20th and 21st inform me that reinforcements have been sent to this department and of the impossibility of entering Middle Tennessee from your present position. The enemy will, I think, attempt no invasion of Mississippi or Alabama this summer. The character of the country, the climate, and the necessity for concentration East, are insurmountable obstacles; he will confine his efforts to securing his present conquests and to obtaining possession of East Tennessee, making it a base for fall and winter operations. Can you not leave a portion of your forces in observation in Mississippi and shifting the main body to this department, take command in person?