By midnight the bridge was ready, and in the early morning of December 9, Davis's 14,000 men began their crossing. Over 600 freed people were anxious to cross with them, but Davis forbade the passage of contrabands due to the possibility of combat ahead. In reality, no such force existed.
Before dawn on December 9, Davis's troops had completed preparations for the bridge by midnight, and in the early hours of that day, his 14,000 men began their crossing. Approximately 600 people who had been freed were anxious to join them, but Davis refused to allow them to bring certain items across due to concerns about potential fighting ahead. However, no such conflict actually occurred.