There was no time for delay; I reported by telegraph to the department commander the information I had received, and added that I was taking steps to get off that night to be in advance of the enemy in securing that important point.

There was a large number of steamers lying at Cairo and a good many boatmen were staying in the town.

It was the work of only a few hours to get the boats manned, with coal aboard and steam up.

Troops were also designated to go aboard.

The distance from Cairo to Paducah is about forty-five miles.