I'll have to consult an old paper on this subject, but if memory serves, Chalmers was on the wrong side of the Cahaba, and the Cahaba was at flood stage. It seems that Forrest and Chalmers didn't get along; somewhere in the staff records Chalmers filed a complaint about Forrest confiscating all his staff transport, having all his records, baggage and personal items thrown out so the wagons could be used by Forrest's brother. Let me look for that; I'm sure Chalmers and his men didn't "desert".