The rebuilding of this road would give us two roads as far as Stevenson over which to supply the army.

From Bridgeport, a short distance farther east, the river supplements the road.
General Dodge, besides being a most capable soldier, was an experienced railroad builder.

He had no tools to work with except those of the pioneers--axes, picks, and spades.

With these he was able to intrench his men and protect them against surprises by small parties of the enemy.

As he had no base of supplies until the road could be completed back to Nashville, the first matter to consider after protecting his men was the getting in of food and forage from the surrounding country.