I will here bear my willing testimony to the completeness of this whole business.
All the officers charged with the work were present, and manifested a skill which I cannot praise too highly.

I have never beheld any work done so quietly, so well; and I doubt if the history of war can show a bridge of that extent (viz., thirteen hundred and fifty feet) laid so noiselessly and well, in so short a time.

I attribute it to the genius and intelligence of General William F.
Smith.

The steamer Dunbar arrived up in the course of the morning, and relieved Ewing's division of the labor of rowing across; but by noon the pontoon-bridge was done, and my three divisions were across, with men, horses, artillery, and every thing.
General Jeff.

C.Davis's division was ready to take the bridge, and I ordered the columns to form in order to carry the Missionary Hills.