Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

‘ [457] move with your entire force towards Stevenson, until you receive further orders. The enemy are evidently moving a large force towards Cleveland, and may break through our lines and move on Nashville, in which event your troops are the only forces at command that could beat them there.’ The dispatch was sent by a messenger, who floated down over the Muscle shoals, in the Tennessee river, landed at Tuscumbia, and was sent on to Sherman, at Iuka. He received the order on the 27th, and instantly proceeded to obey.

In compliance with Halleck's previous instructions, Blair had been advanced as far as Tuscumbia, on the south side of the Tennessee, repairing the railroad; but, ‘dropping every thing,’ Sherman now reversed this column, and turned all his troops to Eastport, the only place where he could cross the Tennessee. The work of crossing was pushed with all the vigor possible, and on the 1st of November, Sherman, in person, passed to the head of the column, at Florence, leaving Blair to follow with the rear division. Grant now ordered Tuttle's division, of McPherson's corps, to be sent forward to report to Sherman. Delays were occasioned by the destruction of bridges across the Elk river, and long detours were made; for there was not time either to ferry, or to build new bridges; and, on the 5th, Grant again dispatched to Sherman: ‘Leave Dodge's command’ (of Hurlbut's corps) ‘at Athens, until further orders, and come with the remainder of your command to Stevenson, or until you receive other instructions.’ Again, on the 7th: ‘The enemy have moved a great part of their force from this front towards Burnside. I have to make an immediate move from here towards their ’