There were several steamers at Bridgeport, and abundance of forage, clothing and provisions.
On the way to Chattanooga I had telegraphed back to Nashville for a good supply of vegetables and small rations, which the troops had been so long deprived of.

Hooker had brought with him from the east a full supply of land transportation.

His animals had not been subjected to hard work on bad roads without forage, but were in good condition.

In five days from my arrival in Chattanooga the way was open to Bridgeport and, with the aid of steamers and Hooker's teams, in a week the troops were receiving full rations.

It is hard for any one not an eye-witness to realize the relief this brought.