This latter place he reached on the 6th or 7th, Brandon on the 8th, and Morton on the 9th.

Up to this time he moved in two columns to enable him to get a good supply of forage, etc., and expedite the march.

Here, however, there were indications of the concentration of Confederate infantry, and he was obliged to keep his army close together.

He had no serious engagement; but he met some of the enemy who destroyed a few of his wagons about Decatur, Mississippi, where, by the way, Sherman himself came near being picked up.
He entered Meridian on the 14th of the month, the enemy having retreated toward Demopolis, Alabama.

He spent several days in Meridian in thoroughly destroying the railroad to the north and south, and also for the purpose of hearing from Sooy Smith, who he supposed had met Forrest before this time and he hoped had gained a decisive victory because of a superiority of numbers.