One shot passed very near where Captain Porter and I were standing, struck the deck near the stern, penetrated and passed through the cabin and so out into the river.

We immediately turned back, and the troops were debarked below the mouth of the creek.
When the landing was completed I returned with the transports to Paducah to hasten up the balance of the troops.

I got back on the 5th with the advance the remainder following as rapidly as the steamers could carry them.

At ten o'clock at night, on the 5th, the whole command was not yet up.

Being anxious to commence operations as soon as possible before the enemy could reinforce heavily, I issued my orders for an advance at 11 A.M.on the 6th.