When General Albert Sidney Johnston was looking for an officer to create defensive positions on the vulnerable Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, he was unaware of Tilghman's presence in his department and another officer was selected.
Da general Albert Sidney Johnston søgte efter en officer til at bygge forsvarsstillinger lands de sårbare Tennessee- og Cumberland-floder, var Tilghmans tilstedeværelse i hans område ikke kendt, og opgaven gik til en anden officer.