Colonel Anthony and Colonel Dayton (one of my aides) were sent to meet him, and to keep him in conversation as long as possible.

They soon returned, saying it was the adjutant of the rebel general Chalmers, who demanded the surrender of the place.

I instructed them to return and give a negative answer, but to delay him as much as possible, so as to give us time for preparation.

I saw Anthony, Dayton, and the rebel bearer of the flag, in conversation, and the latter turn his horse to ride back, when I ordered Colonel McCoy to run to the station, and get a message over the wires as quick as possible to Memphis and Germantown, to hurry forward Corse's division.

I then ordered the train to back to the depot, and drew back the battalion of regulars to the small earth redoubt near it.