Then General Nelson came up, with orders to report to me with two brigades, he having sent one brigade to Cairo.

I knew General Buell was advancing on Nashville from the north, and I was advised by scouts that the rebels were leaving that place, and trying to get out all the supplies they could.

Nashville was, at that time, one of the best provisioned posts in the South.

I had no use for reinforcements now, and thinking Buell would like to have his troops again, I ordered Nelson to proceed to Nashville without debarking at Fort Donelson.

I sent a gunboat also as a convoy.