Quick ref., Confederate article in Columbus Daily News, 22 Feb. 1864, page 2
Describes tight security by Federal outposts between Chattanooga and Dalton--a Rebel merchant could not get through to Chattanooga. The paper reported a suspected movement by Union troops. It was published the same day Gen. Thomas started his 'reconnaissance' toward Tunnel Hill.
For the next five days, there were skirmishes in the area, with Federals briefly taking Tunnel Hill before being repulsed by Confederates, who had a stronghold in the mountains.
This article shows that rebels expected a movement--the rebel merchant's attempt to get to Chattanooga occurred about a week before the publication and the surprise attack.
Columbus Daily News, 22 Feb. 1864, page 2, "From East Tennessee and the Front"
Newspaper Clipping
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn82015388/1864-02-22/ed-1/seq-2/print/image_539x817_from_1750,7561_to_2896,9298/
Full link--not sure if persistent:
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn82015388/1864-02-22/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=02%2F22%2F1864¬text=&date2=03%2F15%2F1864&words=Dalton&searchType=advanced&sequence=0&index=0&city=&proxdistance=5&sort=date_asc&rows=12&ortext=&proxtext=&andtext=dalton&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&page=1
Timeline: Battle of Dalton/Tunnel Hill -- 22 Feb. 1864 through 27 Feb. 1864
