I said to General Buell my information was that the enemy was retreating as fast as possible.
General Buell said there was fighting going on then only ten or twelve miles away.

I said: "Quite probably; Nashville contained valuable stores of arms, ammunition and provisions, and the enemy is probably trying to carry away all he can.

The fighting is doubtless with the rear-guard who are trying to protect the trains they are getting away with." Buell spoke very positively of the danger Nashville was in of an attack from the enemy.

I said, in the absence of positive information, I believed my information was correct.

He responded that he "knew." "Well," I said, "I do not know; but as I came by Clarksville General Smith's troops were embarking to join you." Smith's troops were returned the same day.