Given A.S. Johnston's experience as a military leader, I suspect that he quickly decided that the defensive line through Ky was hopeless. The massive numbers of Federal Troops that amassed just north of the Green River could have easily overpowered Johnston's very limited numbers. Though I don't have my notes with me here at the office, it is safe to say that the force Johnston faced in late 1861 easily outnumbered his Army by 3 or 4 to 1.

The flanking of the eastern portion of the line should not have happened. General Crittenden failed to hold up his end even though his force was large enough to stop the assault on that front.