There is no telling how much this result was contributed to by General Lew Wallace's leading what might well be considered almost a forlorn hope.

If Early had been but one day earlier he might have entered the capital before the arrival of the reinforcements I had sent.

Whether the delay caused by the battle amounted to a day or not, General Wallace contributed on this occasion, by the defeat of the troops under him a greater benefit to the cause than often falls to the lot of a commander of an equal force to render by means of a victory.
Farther west also the troubles were threatening.

Some time before, Forrest had met Sturgis in command of some of our cavalry in Mississippi and handled him very roughly, gaining a very great victory over him.
This left Forrest free to go almost where he pleased, and to cut the roads in rear of Sherman who was then advancing.

Sherman was abundantly able to look after the army that he was immediately with, and all of his military division so long as he could communicate with it; but it was my place to see that he had the means with which to hold his rear.