His whole force will be ready to move from there by Tuesday at farthest.

If you can hold Longstreet in check until he gets up, or by skirmishing and falling back can avoid serious loss to yourself and gain time, I will be able to force the enemy back from here and place a force between Longstreet and Bragg that must inevitably make the former take to the mountain-passes by every available road, to get to his supplies.

Sherman would have been here before this but for high water in Elk River driving him some thirty miles up that river to cross." And again later in the day, indicating my plans for his relief, as follows: "Your dispatch and Dana's just received.

Being there, you can tell better how to resist Longstreet's attack than I can direct.

With your showing you had better give up Kingston at the last moment and save the most productive part of your possessions.