October 2d, Hurlbut telegraphed Halleck:
‘A supply train of four hundred wagons is ready at Corinth, and thirty days rations for twenty thousand men.’
On the 10th of October Sherman, then near Corinth, reported the situation to Halleck, and asked: ‘whether I shall give preference to securing this railroad or reaching the neighborhood of Athens with expedition. The latter I can surely accomplish, the former is problematical.’
The troops from the Army of the Potomac having communicated with General Rosecrans by way of Bridgeport, General. Sherman was instructed on the 14th, by Halleck in reply, to take care of his railroad.
General Grant, during all this time, had been absent in New Orleans. He reached Memphis on his return October 5th, proceeded to Cairo, and thence to Louisville to receive orders, where he was directed to take command at Chattanooga, relieving Rosecrans by Thomas. He started at once for the front, and shortly after his arrival, ordered Sherman to drop every thing on the railroad, and come on with dispatch.
He thus reported his action to Halleck:
