The Cumberland River was very high at the time; the railroad bridge at Nashville had been burned, and all river craft had been destroyed, or would be before the enemy left.

Nashville is on the west bank of the Cumberland, and Buell was approaching from the east.

I thought the steamers carrying Nelson's division would be useful in ferrying the balance of Buell's forces across.

I ordered Nelson to put himself in communication with Buell as soon as possible, and if he found him more than two days off from Nashville to return below the city and await orders.

Buell, however, had already arrived in person at Edgefield, opposite Nashville, and Mitchell's division of his command reached there the same day.