General Slocum, in Atlanta, had likewise sent out, under strong escort, large trains of wagons to the east, and brought back corn, bacon, and all kinds of provisions, so that Hood’s efforts to cut off our supplies only reacted on his own people.  So long as the railroads were in good order, our supplies came full and regular from the North; but when the enemy broke our railroads we were perfectly justified in stripping the inhabitants of all they had.  I remember well the appeal of a very respectable farmer against our men driving away his fine flock of sheep.  I explained to him that General Hood had broken our railroad; that we were a strong, hungry crowd, and needed plenty of food; that Uncle Sam was deeply interested in our continued health and would soon repair these roads, but meantime we must eat; we preferred Illinois beef, but mutton would have to answer.  Poor fellow!  I don’t believe he was convinced of the wisdom or wit of my explanation.  Very soon after reaching Lafayette we organized a line of supply from Chattanooga to Ringgold by rail, and thence by wagons to our camps about Gaylesville.  Meantime, also, Hood had reached the neighborhood of Gadsden, and drew his supplies from the railroad at Blue Mountain.

On the 19th of October I telegraphed to General Halleck, at Washington: 

Hood has retreated rapidly by all the roads leading south.  Our advance columns are now at Alpine and Melville Post-Office.  I shall pursue him as far as Gaylesville.  The enemy will not venture toward Tennessee except around by Decatur.  I propose to send the Fourth Corps back to General Thomas, and leave him, with that corps, the garrisons, and new troops, to defend the line of the Tennessee River; and with the rest I will push into the heart of Georgia and come out at Savannah, destroying all the railroads of the State.  The break in our railroad at Big Shanty is almost repaired, and that about Dalton should be done in ten days.  We find abundance of forage in the country.

On the same day I telegraphed to General L. C. Easton, chief-quartermaster, who had been absent on a visit to Missouri, but had got back to Chattanooga: 

Go in person to superintend the repairs of the railroad, and make all orders in my name that will expedite its completion.  I want it finished, to bring back from Atlanta to Chattanooga the sick and wounded men and surplus stores.  On the 1st of November I want nothing in front of Chattanooga except what we can use as food and clothing and haul in our wagons.  There is plenty of corn in the country, and we only want forage for the posts.  I allow ten days for all this to be done, by which time I expect to be at or near Atlanta.

I telegraphed also to General Amos Beckwith, chief-commissary in Atlanta, who was acting as chief-quartermaster during the absence of General Easton: 

Hood will escape me.  I want to prepare for my big raid.  On the 1st of November I want nothing in Atlanta but what is necessary for war.  Send all trash to the rear at once, and have on hand thirty days’ food and but little forage.  I propose to abandon Atlanta, and the railroad back to Chattanooga, to sally forth to ruin Georgia and bring up on the seashore.  Make all dispositions accordingly.  I will go down the Coosa until I am sure that Hood has gone to Blue Mountain.