This was found impassable.

To ferry would have consumed to much time, and to build a bridge still more; so there was no alternative but to turn up Elk River by way of Gilbertsboro, Elkton, etc., to the stone bridge at Fayetteville, where we crossed the Elk, and proceeded to Winchester and Deckerd.
At Fayetteville I received orders from General Grant to come to Bridgeport with the Fifteenth Army Corps, and to leave General Dodge's command at Pulaski, and along the railroad from Columbia to Decatur.

I instructed General Blair to follow with the Second and First Divisions by way of New Market, Larkinsville, and Bellefonte, while I conducted the other two divisions by way of Deckerd; the Fourth Division crossing the mountain to Stevenson, and the Third by University Place and Sweden's Cove.
In person I proceeded by Sweden's Cove and Battle Creek, reaching Bridgeport on the night of November 13th.

I immediately telegraphed to the commanding general my arrival, and the positions of my several divisions, and was summoned to Chattanooga.

I took the first steamboat daring the night of the 14th for Belly's Ferry, and rode into Chattanooga on the 16th.