The weather was very bad; snow and rain fell; the roads, never good in that section, were intolerable.

We were out more than a week splashing through the mud, snow and rain, the men suffering very much.

The object of the expedition was accomplished.

The enemy did not send reinforcements to Bowling Green, and General George H.Thomas fought and won the battle of Mill Springs before we returned.
As a result of this expedition General Smith reported that he thought it practicable to capture Fort Heiman.

This fort stood on high ground, completely commanding Fort Henry on the opposite side of the river, and its possession by us, with the aid of our gunboats, would insure the capture of Fort Henry.