The fort itself was only about three miles away, and as it stood upon low, marshy ground, the backwater from the flooded Tennessee had almost surrounded it.
Despite their horses, Winchester's men found their own advance slow.
They had to make many a twist and turn to avoid marshes and deep water before they came within the sight of the fort, and then Dick's watch told him that it was nearly noon, the time for the concerted attacks of army and fleet.

But it was certain now that the army could not get up until several hours later, and he wondered what would happen.
They saw the fort very clearly from their position on a low hill, and they saw that the main Confederate force was gathered on a height outside, connected with the fort, and as well as he could judge, the mass seemed to number three or four thousand men.
"What does that mean ?" he asked Colonel Winchester.
"I surmise," replied the colonel, "that Tilghman, the Confederate commander, is afraid his men may be caught in a trap.

We know his troops are merely raw militia, and he has put them where they can retreat in case of defeat.

He, himself, with his trained cannoneers, is inside the fort." "There can be no attack until tomorrow," said Colonel Newcomb.

"It will be impossible for General Grant's army to get here in time." "You are certainly right about the army, but I'm not so sure that you're right about the attack.