mounted,
but they will be mounted here as soon as possible and sent to the
front; three regiments should start to-day, making about 1000 men.
I have not heard from any of Smith's troops yet; some of them will
surely be here to-day. If Hood moves on the Chattanooga road, I
will send Smith to Murfreesboro', as we shall be enabled thereby
to concentrate more rapidly. If you can hold Hood on the south
side of Duck River, I think we shall be able to drive him back
easily after concentrating. Answer, giving your views."

Although that despatch of the 25th was not deciphered so as to be
read by me until the 27th, forty-eight hours after it was sent,
nevertheless it gave me timely information that Thomas had concentrated
all his available troops (except Steedman's, which he appears to
have overlooked until the 25th, and about which I had no knowledge)
at Murfreesboro', from which place they could "join the main force,"
as I had suggested, in a few hours, either by rail or by wagon-
road, as circumstances might indicate. I was also led to infer
from Thomas's language on the 25th--"Some of them [A. J. Smith's
troops] will surely be here to-day"--that on the 27th Smith's corps
was already at Nashville, and that Thomas was only waiting for
information respecting the enemy's designs to select his point of
concentration and order all his available troops to join the army
in the field at that point. And it was still expected on the 27th
that this junction might be effected on the north bank of Duck
River, opposite Columbia. Hence I telegraphed General Thomas,
November 27, at 12:30 P. M.:

"The enemy has made no real attack, and I am satisfied he does not
intend to attack. My information, though not very satisfactory,
leads me to believe that Hood intends to cross Duck River above
Columbia, and as near it as he can. I shall withdraw to the north
bank to-night and endeavor to prevent him from crossing. Wilson
is operating mainly on my left, with a portion of his command south
of the river. I have no late information from him. I have succeeded
in getting your cipher of the 25th translated. I believe your
dispositions are wise."

DELAYING THE RETREAT FROM DUCK RIVER

It appears from his despatch of November 25 that Thomas hoped we
might be able to hold the line of Duck River from Columbia as far
east as Shelbyville, as well as west to the Tennessee River.
Although this proved to be