But by the time I reached Athens I had better studied the geography, and sent him orders, which found him at Decatur, that Kingston was out of our way; that he should send his boat to Kingston, but with his command strike across to Philadelphia, and report to me there.

I had but a small force of cavalry, which was, at the time of my receipt of General Grant's orders, scouting over about Benton and Columbus.

I left my aide, Major McCoy, at Charleston, to communicate with this cavalry and hurry it forward.

It overtook me in the night at Athens.
On the 2d of December the army moved rapidly north toward Loudon, twenty-six miles distant.

About 11 a.m., the cavalry passed to the head of the column, was ordered to push to London, and, if possible, to save a pontoon-bridge across the Tennessee, held by a brigade of the enemy commanded by General Vaughn.