“‘What do you think of it?’
NASHVILLE PIKE, NEAR SPRING HILL, DOWN WHICH ROAD BUELL MARCHED
“‘It is undoubtedly a general engagement.’
“‘What have you in your front?’
“‘There is nothing reported.’
“He then said, after thought: ‘Very well. Hold yourself in readiness for orders.’
“‘But, General, I ordered the concentration about daylight. I am ready now.’
“Again he reflected. He seemed uncertain. It afterwards came out that he believed the real attack would be on me. Presently he repeated: ‘Hold yourself in readiness to move in any direction.’ The pilot bell rang, the lashings were removed and his steamer put off up-stream hard as it could go.
“There was general disappointment among my officers. I was disappointed; but without remark I left the boat. My last order at the Landing was to have a horse saddled and bridled and hitched to a tree on the bluff, that a messenger coming down the river with an order for me might bring it without delay. Thereupon I rode out to ‘Stoney Lonesome,’ where Smith and Thayer were waiting, arms stacked. The Third Brigade had not yet arrived.