General George H.Thomas had been dispatched to camp Dick Robinson, to relieve Nelson.
The city was full of all sorts of rumors.

The Legislature, moved by considerations purely of a political nature, had taken the step, whatever it was, that amounted to an adherence to the Union, instead of joining the already-seceded States.

This was universally known to be the signal for action.

For it we were utterly unprepared, whereas the rebels were fully prepared.
General Sidney Johnston immediately crossed into Kentucky, and advanced as far as Bowling Green, which he began to fortify, and thence dispatched General Buckner with a division forward toward Louisville; General Zollicoffer, in like manner, entered the State and advanced as far as Somerset.

On the day I reached Louisville the excitement ran high.