This report of Smith's confirmed views I had previously held, that the true line of operations for us was up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.

With us there, the enemy would be compelled to fall back on the east and west entirely out of the State of Kentucky.

On the 6th of January, before receiving orders for this expedition, I had asked permission of the general commanding the department to go to see him at St.Louis.

My object was to lay this plan of campaign before him.

Now that my views had been confirmed by so able a general as Smith, I renewed my request to go to St.Louis on what I deemed important military business.