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

There was a deficiency of steamers and of locomotives, and, accordingly, Grant said to Burnside: ‘If you have any steamers, I think you had better protect the pilot and engine from sharp-shooters, by case-mating with oak plank, and send them down here;’ while, to McPherson, now in command at Vicksburg, he said: ‘Send without delay, via the Tennessee river to Danville, Tennessee, all the locomotives at Vicksburg, with the exception of two, and all the cars, with the exception of ten. Let the locomotives and cars be the best you have. They are required for immediate use.’ To Anderson, the railroad superintendent: ‘There are now six bridges at Louisville, belonging to government, ready made, that can be brought forward. I have ordered three locomotives and all the cars, but ten, from the southern road, Vicksburg;’ and again: ‘Those ordered by Colonel Parsons, for Memphis, can also come. There are more cars now on the West Tennessee roads than are required.’

But all this was not sufficient, and, on the 4th, Grant declared: ‘The road from Nashville to Decatur will have to be put in running order.’ Sherman was ordered to leave Dodge's division, of Hurlbut's command, at Athens. ‘have given directions for putting the railroad from Nashville to Decatur in running order. That road is now only guarded to Columbia, and the force left by you will have to guard the balance, with the aid of Thomas's command, until further arrangements can be made.’ Sherman was informed, however: ‘It is not my intention to leave any portion of your army to guard roads in the Department of the Cumberland, when an advance is made.’ At the same time, Grant ordered