It would be bad to be defeated in two decisive battles fought the same day, but it would not be bad to win them.

I, however, was fighting no battle, and the siege of Vicksburg had drawn from Rosecrans' front so many of the enemy that his chances of victory were much greater than they would be if he waited until the siege was over, when these troops could be returned.

Rosecrans was ordered to move against the army that was detaching troops to raise the siege.
Finally he did move, on the 24th of June, but ten days afterwards Vicksburg surrendered, and the troops sent from Bragg were free to return.
It was at this time that I recommended to the general-in-chief the movement against Mobile.

I knew the peril the Army of the Cumberland was in, being depleted continually, not only by ordinary casualties, but also by having to detach troops to hold its constantly extending line over which to draw supplies, while the enemy in front was as constantly being strengthened.

Mobile was important to the enemy, and in the absence of a threatening force was guarded by little else than artillery.