Although Rosecrans had reported his army to have 81,729 effectives in Nashville, his force on the march was barely more than half of that since he needed to protect his base and supply lines from the harassment of the Confederate cavalry.
Selv om Rosecrans havde rapporteret at have 81.729 mand i Nashville var hans styrke på marchen kun omkring det halve, fordi han måtte beskytte sin base og forsyningslinjer mod det konfødererede kavaleri.