All the troops of the command were within telegraphic communication of each other, except those under Sherman.

By bringing a portion of his command to Brownsville, from which point there was a railroad and telegraph back to Memphis, communication could be had with that part of my command within a few hours by the use of couriers.
In case it became necessary to reinforce Corinth, by this arrangement all the troops at Bolivar, except a small guard, could be sent by rail by the way of Jackson in less than twenty-four hours; while the troops from Brownsville could march up to Bolivar to take their place.
On the 7th of September I learned of the advance of Van Dorn and Price, apparently upon Corinth.

One division was brought from Memphis to Bolivar to meet any emergency that might arise from this move of the enemy.

I was much concerned because my first duty, after holding the territory acquired within my command, was to prevent further reinforcing of Bragg in Middle Tennessee.

Already the Army of Northern Virginia had defeated the army under General Pope and was invading Maryland.