Here the pursuit was halted to repair the railroad from the Tallahatchie northward, in order to bring up supplies.

The piles on which the railroad bridge rested had been left standing.

The work of constructing a roadway for the troops was but a short matter, and, later, rails were laid for cars.
During the delay at Oxford in repairing railroads I learned that an expedition down the Mississippi now was inevitable and, desiring to have a competent commander in charge, I ordered Sherman on the 8th of December back to Memphis to take charge.

The following were his orders: Headquarters 13th Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, December 8,1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL W.T.SHERMAN, Commanding Right Wing: You will proceed, with as little delay as possible, to Memphis, Tennessee, taking with you one division of your present command.