But, inasmuch as one division of McPherson's corps (John E.Smith's) had already started, he instructed me to leave one of my divisions on the Big Black, and to get the other two ready to follow at once.

I designated the Second, then commanded by Brigadier-General Giles A.Smith, and the Fourth, commanded by Brigadier-General Corse.
On the 25th I returned to my camp on Big Black, gave all the necessary orders for these divisions to move, and for the Third (Tittle's) to remain, and went into Vicksburg with my family.

The last of my corps designed for this expedition started from camp on the 27th, reached Vicksburg the 28th, and were embarked on boats provided for them.

General Halleck's dispatches dwelt upon the fact that General Rosecrans's routes of supply were overtaxed, and that we should move from Memphis eastward, repairing railroads as we progressed, as far as Athens, Alabama, whence I was to report to General Rosecrans, at Chattanooga, by letter.
I took passage for myself and family in the steamer Atlantic, Captain Henry McDougall.

When the boat was ready to start, Willie was missing.