if it arrives in time, will be thrown across the
Tennessee above Chickamauga, and may be able
to make the trip to Cleveland or thereabouts.
U. S. GRANT,
Major-General.

south of it. These points were fortified during the night, and artillery put in position on them. The report of this deserter was evidently not intended to deceive, but he had mistaken Bragg's movements. It was afterward ascertained that one division of Buckner's corps had gone to join Longstreet, and a second division of the same corps had started, but was brought back in consequence of our attack.

On the night of the twenty-third of November, Sherman, with three divisions of his army, strengthened by Davis's division of Thomas's corps, which had been stationed along the north bank of the river, convenient to where the cross

To Major-General W. T. SHERMAN. Sherman's forces were moved from Bridgeport by way of Whitesides-one division threatening the enemy's left front in the direction of Trenton -crossing at Brown's Ferry, up the north bank of the Tennessee to near the mouth of SouthChickamauga, where they were kept concealed from the enemy until they were ready to form a crossing. Pontoons for throwing a bridge across the river were built, and placed in North-Chick-ing was to be effected, was ready for operations. amauga, near its mouth, a few miles further up, bank of the river, just below the mouth of SouthAt an hour sufficiently early to secure the south without attracting the attention of the enemy. It was expected we would be able to effect the Chickamauga, by dawn of day, the pontoons in the North-Chickamauga were loaded with thirty crossing on the twenty-first of November; but, owing to heavy rains, Sherman was unable to armed men each, who floated quietly past the enget up until the afternoon of the twenty-third, emy's pickets, landed, and captured all but one and then only with Generals Morgan L. Smith's, of the guard, twenty in number, before the enJohn E. Smith's, and Hugh Ewing's divisions of emy was aware of the presence of a foe. The the Fifteenth corps, under command of Major- having finished ferrying across the river the steamboat Dunbar, with a barge in tow, after General Frank P. Blair, of his army. The pontoon-bridge at Brown's Ferry having horses procured from Sherman, with which to been broken by the drift consequent upon the move Thomas's artillery, was sent up from Chatrise in the river, and rafts sent down by the en-tanooga to aid in crossing artillery and troops; and by daylight of the morning of the twentyemy, the other division-Osterhaus's-was refourth of November, eight thousand men were tained on the south side, and was, on the night on the south side of the Tennessee, and fortified of the twenty-third, ordered, unless it could get in rifle-trenches. across by eight o'clock the next morning, to report to Hooker, who was instructed, in this event, to attack Lookout Mountain, as contemplated in the original plan.

the Tennessee and the Chickamauga were laid, By twelve o'clock M., the pontoon-bridges across

and the remainder of Sherman's forces crossed A deserter from the rebel army, who came into over, and at half past three P.M. the whole of the our lines on the night of the twenty-second No-northern extremity of Missionary Ridge, to near the railroad tunnel, was in Sherman's possession. vember, reported Bragg falling back. The following letter, received from Bragg by flag of During the night he fortified the position thus truce on the twentieth, tended to confirm this secured, making it equal, if not superior, in strength to that held by the enemy. report:

By three o'clock of the same day, Colonel Long, with his brigade of cavalry, of Thomas's army, crossed to the south side of the Tennessee and to the north of Chickamauga Creek, and made a raid on the enemy's lines of communication. He burned Tyner's Station, with many stores, cut the railroad at Cleveland, captured near a hundred wagons and over two hundred prisoners. His own loss was small.

Hooker carried out the part assigned him for this day equal to the most sanguine expectations. With Geary's division (Twelfth corps) and two brigades of Stanley's division (Fourth corps) of Thomas's army, and Osterhaus's division (Fif teenth corps) of Sherman's army, he scaled the western slope of Lookout Mountain, drove the enemy from his rifle-pits on the northern extremity and slope of the mountain, capturing many prisoners, without serious loss.

Not being willing that he should get his army off in good order, Thomas was directed, early on the morning of the twenty-third, to ascertain the truth or falsity of this report, by driving in his pickets and making him develop his lines. This he did, with the troops stationed at Chattanooga and Howard's corps, (which had been brought into Chattanooga because of the apprehended Thomas having done on the twenty-third, with danger to our potoon-bridges from the rise in the his troops in Chattanooga, what was intended river and the enemy's rafts,) in the most gallant for the twenty-fourth, bettered and strengthened style, driving the enemy from his first line, and his advanced positions during the day, and pushsecuring to us what is known as "Indian Hill," ed the Eleventh corps forward along the south or Orchard Knoll," and the low range of hills

66

bank of the Tennessee River, across Citico Creek,

Thus, on the night of the twenty-fourth, our forces maintained an unbroken line, with open communications, from the north end of Lookout Mountain, through Chattanooga valley, to the north end of Missionary Ridge.

one brigade of which, with Howard in person, left in Chattanooga Valley, and his right east of reached Sherman just as he had completed the the ridge. His approach was intended as the crossing of the river. signal for storming the ridge in the centre with When Hooker emerged in sight of the north-strong columns, but the time necessarily conern extremity of Lookout Mountain, Carlin's sumed in the construction of the bridge near brigade of the Fourteenth corps was ordered to Chattanooga Creek detained him to a later hour cross Chattanooga Creek and form a junction than was expected. Being satisfied from the with him. This was effected late in the evening, latest information from him that he must, by and after considerable fighting. this time, be on his way from Rossville, though not yet in sight, and discovering that the enemy, in his desperation to defeat or resist the progress of Sherman, was weakening his centre on Missionary Ridge, determined me to order the advance at once. Thomas was accordingly directed to move forward his troops constituting our centre-Baird's division, (Fourteenth corps,) Wood's and Sheridan's division, (Fourth corps,) and Johnson's division, (Fourteenth corps,) with a double line of skirmishers thrown out, followed in easy supporting distance by the whole force, and carry the rifle-pits at the foot of Missionary Ridge, and, when carried, to re-form his lines in the rifle-pits, with a view to carrying the top of the ridge.

On the morning of the twenty-fifth, Hooker took possession of the mountain-top with a small force, and with the remainder of his command, in pursuance of orders, swept across Chattanooga valley, now abandoned by the enemy, to Rossville. In this march he was detained four hours building a bridge across Chattanooga Creek. From Rossville he ascended Missionary Ridge, and moved southward toward the centre of the now shortened line.,

Sherman's attack upon the enemy's most northern and most vital point was vigorously kept up all day. The assaulting column advanced to the very rifle-pits of the enemy, and held this position firmly and without wavering. The right of the assaulting column being exposed to the danger of being turned, two brigades were sent to its support. These advanced in the most gallant manner over an open field on the mountain side to near the works of the enemy, and lay there partially covered from the fire for some time. The right of these two brigades rested near the head of a ravine or gorge in the mountain side, which the enemy took advantage of, and sent troops covered from view below them, and to their right rear. Being unexpectedly fired into from this direction, they fell back across the open field below them, and re-formed in good order in the edge of the timber. The column which attacked them were speedily driven to their intrenchments by the assaulting column proper.

Early in the morning of the twenty-fifth, the remainder of Howard's corps reported to Sherman, and constituted a part of his forces during that day's battle, the pursuit, and subsequent advance for the relief of Knoxville.

Sherman's position not only threatened the right flank of the enemy, but, from his occupying a line across the mountain and to the railroad bridge across Chickamauga Creek, his rear and stores at Chickamauga Station. This caused the enemy to move heavily against him. This movement of his being plainly seen from the position I occupied on Orchard Knoll, Baird's division of the Fourteenth corps was ordered to Sherman's support; but receiving a note from Sherman, informing me that he had all the force necessary, Baird was put in position on Thomas's left.

The appearance of Hooker's column was at this time anxiously looked for, and momentarily expected, moving north on the ridge, with his

These troops moved forward, drove the enemy from the rifle-pits at the base of the ridge like bees from a hive, stopped but a moment until the whole were in line, and commenced the ascent of the mountain from right to left almost simultaneously, following closely the retreating enemy without further orders. They encountered a fearful volley of grape and canister from near thirty pieces of artillery and musketry from still well-filled rifle-pits on the summit of the ridge. Not a waver, however, was seen in all that long line of brave men. Their progress was steadily onward until the summit was in their possession. In this charge the casualties were remarkably few for the fire encountered. I can account for this only on the theory that the enemy's surprise at the audacity of such a charge caused confusion and purposeless aiming of their pieces.

The nearness of night, and the enemy still resisting the advance of Thomas's left, prevented a general pursuit that night, but Sheridan pushed forward to Mission Mills.

The resistance on Thomas's left being overcome, the enemy abandoned his position near the railroad-tunnel in front of Sherman, and by twelve o'clock at night was in full retreat; and the whole of his strong positions on Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Valley, and Missionary Ridge were in our possession, together with a large number of prisoners, artillery, and small arms.

Thomas was directed to get Granger with his corps, and detachments enough from other commands, including the force available at Kingston, to make twenty thousand men, in readiness to go to the relief of Knoxville upon the termination of the battle at Chattanooga-these troops to take with them four days' rations, and a steamboat loaded with rations to follow up the river.

On the evening of the twenty-fifth of November orders were given to both. Thomas and Sherman to pursue the enemy early next morning, with

all their available force, except that under Granger, intended for the relief of Knoxville.

On the morning of the twenty-sixth, Sherman advanced by way of Chickamauga Station, and Thomas's forces under Hooker and Palmer moved on the Rossville road toward Grapeville and Ringgold.

drive him out of the State," Burnside was of the opinion that the corps of Granger, in conjunction with his own command, was sufficient for that purpose, and on the seventh addressed to Sherman the following communication:

"KNOXVILLE, Dec. 7, 1868.

"To Major-General Sherman :

"I desire to express to you and your command my most hearty thanks and gratitude, for your promptness in coming to our relief during the siege of Knoxville, and I am satisfied that your The emerapproach served to raise the siege.

The advance of Thomas's forces reached Ringgold on the morning of the twenty-seventh, where they found the enemy in strong position in the gorge and on the crest of Taylor's Ridge, from which they dislodged him after a severe fight, in which we lost heavily in valuable officers and men, and continued the pursuit that day un-gency having passed, I do not deem, for the prestil near Tunnel Hill, a distance of twenty miles from Chattanooga.

Davis's division (Fourteenth corps) of Sherman's column reached Ringgold about noon of the same day. Howard's corps was sent by General Sherman to Red Clay to destroy the railroad between Dalton and Cleveland, and thus cut off Bragg's communication with Longstreet, which was successfully accomplished.

ent, any other portion of your command but the corps of General Granger necessary for operations in this section; and, inasmuch as General Grant has weakened the forces immediately with him in order to relieve us, thereby rendering portions of General Thomas's less secure, I deem it advisable that all the troops now here, except turn at once to within supporting distance of the those commanded by General Granger, should reIn behalf of my command, I again desire to thank forces operating against General Bragg's army. you and your command for the kindness you

have done us.

A. E. BURNSIDE, "Major-General." Leaving Granger's command at Knoxville, Sherman, with the remainder of the forces, returned by slow marches to Chattanooga.

Had it not been for the imperative necessity of relieving Burnside, I would have pursued the broken, demoralized, and retreating enemy as long as supplies could have been found in the country. But my advices were, that Burnside's supplies could only last until the third of December. It was already getting late to afford the necessary relief. I determined, therefore, to pursue no further. Hooker was directed to hold the position he then occupied until the night of the thirtieth, but to go no further south at the expense of a fight. Sherman was directed to march to the railroad crossing of the Hiawassee, to protect Granger's flank until he was across that stream, and to prevent further reenforce- To Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, Chief-Enments being sent by that route into East-Ten-gineer, I feel under more than ordinary obliga

nessee.

Returning from the front on the twenty-eighth, I found that Granger had not yet got off, nor would he have the number of men I directed. Besides, he moved with reluctance and complaint. I therefore determined, notwithstanding the fact that two divisions of Sherman's forces had marched from Memphis, and had gone into battle immediately on their arrival at Chattanooga, to send him with his command; and orders in accordance therewith were sent him at Calhoun to assume command of the troops with Granger, in addition to those with him, and proceed with all possible despatch to the relief of Burnside.

General Elliot had been ordered by Thomas, on the twenty-sixth of November, to proceed from Alexandria, Tennessee, to Knoxville, with his cavalry division, to aid in the relief of that place. The approach of Sherman caused Longstreet to raise the siege of Knoxville and retreat eastward on the night of the fourth of December. Sherman succeeded in throwing his cavalry into Knoxville on the night of the third.

Sherman arrived in person at Knoxville on the sixth, and after a conference with Burnside in reference to " organizing a pursuing force large enough to overtake the enemy and beat him, or

I have not spoken more particularly of the result of the pursuit of the enemy, because the more detailed reports accompanying this do the subject justice. For the same reason I have not particularized the part taken by corps and division commanders.

tions for the masterly manner in which he discharged the duties of his position, and desire that his services may be fully appreciated by higher authorities.

The members of my staff discharged faithfully their respective duties, for which they have my warmest thanks.

Our losses in these battles were seven hundred and fifty-seven killed, four thousand five hundred and twenty-nine wounded, and three hundred and thirty missing-total, five thousand six hundred and sixteen.

The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was probably less than ours, owing to the fact that he was protected by his intrenchments, while we were without cover. At Knoxville, however, his loss was many times greater than ours, making his entire losses at the two places equal to, if not exceeding ours. We captured six thousand one hundred and forty-two prisoners, of whom two hundred and thirty-nine were commissioned officers; forty pieces of artillery, sixty-nine artillery carriages and caissons, and seven thousand stand of small arms.

The armies of the Cumberland and the Tennessee, for their energy and unsurpassed bravery in the three days' battle of Chattanooga,

and the pursuit of the enemy; their patient en-
durance in marching to the relief of Knoxville;
and the army of the Ohio for its masterly de-
fence of Knoxville, and repeated repulses of
Longstreet's assaults upon that place, are de-
serving of the gratitude of their country. I have
the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,
Major-General U. S. Army.

GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE

TENNESSEE, BRIDGEPORT, ALA., Dec. 19, 1863.

Brigadier-General John A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff to General Grant, Chattanooga, Tenn.: GENERAL: For the first time, I am now at leisure to make an official record of the events with which the troops under my command have been connected during the eventful campaign which has just closed.

During the month of September last, the Fif teenth army corps, which I had the honor to command, lay in camps along the Big Black, about twenty miles east of Vicksburgh, Miss.

It consisted of four divisions. The First, commanded by Brigadier-General B. J. Osterhaus, was composed of two brigades, led by BrigadierGeneral C. K. Woods and Colonel J. A. Williamson, of the Fourth Iowa. The Second, commanded by Brigadier-General Morgan L. Smith, was composed of two brigades, led by Generals Giles A. Smith and J. A. D. Lightburn. The Third, commanded by Brigadier-General J. M. Tuttle, was composed of three brigades, led by Generals J. A. Momer and R. B. Buckland and Colonel J. J. Wood, of the Twelfth Iowa. The Fourth, commanded by Brigadier-General Hugh Ewing, was composed of three brigades, led by General J. M. Corse, Colonel Loomis, of the Twenty-sixth Illinois, and Colonel J. R. Cockrell, of the Seventieth Iowa.

On the twenty-second day of September, I received a telegraphic despatch from General Grant, then at Vicksburgh, commanding the department of the Tennessee, requiring me to detach one of my divisions to march to Vicksburgh, there to embark for Memphis, where it was to form part of an army to be sent to Chattanooga to reenforce General Rosecrans.

I designated the First division, and at four P.M. the same day it marched for Vicksburgh, and embarked the next day.

On the twenty-third of September, I was summoned to Vicksburgh by the General Commanding, who showed me several despatches from the General-in-Chief, which led him to suppose he would have to send me and my whole corps to Memphis and eastward, and I was instructed to prepare for such orders.

It was explained to me that in consequence of the low stage of water in the Mississippi, boats had arrived irregularly, and had brought despatches that seemed to conflict in meaning, and that John E. Smith's division, of McPherson's corps, had been ordered up to Memphis, and that

I should take that division and leave one of my own in its stead to hold the line of the Big Black. I detailed my Third division, General Tuttle, to remain and report to Major-General J. B. McPherson, commanding the Seventeenth corps, at Vicksburgh; and that of General John E. Smith, already started for Memphis, was styled the Third division, though it still belonged to the Seventeenth army corps.

This division is also composed of three brigades, commanded by General Mathias, Colonel G. B. Baum, of the Fifty-sixth Illinois, and Colonel J. J. Alexander, of the Fiftieth Indiana.

The Second and Fourth divisions were started for Vicksburgh the moment I was notified that boats were in readiness, and on the twenty-sev enth September I embarked in person in the steamer Atlantic for Memphis, followed by a fleet of boats conveying these two divisions.

Our progress was slow, on account of the unprecedentedly low water in the Mississippi and the scarcity of coal and wood. We were compelled in places to gather fence-rails, and to land wagons and haul wood from the interior to the boats; but I reached Memphis during the night of the second of October, and the other boats came in on the third and fourth.

On arrival at Memphis I saw General Hurlbut, and read all the despatches and letters of instructions of General Halleck, and therein derived my instructions, which I construed to be as follows:

To conduct the Fifteenth army corps, and all other troops which could be spared from the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, to Athens, Ala., and thence report by letter for orders to General Rosecrans, commanding the army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga; to follow substantially the railroad eastwardly, repairing it as I moved; to look to my own lines for supplies, and in no event to depend on General Rosecrans for supplies, as the roads to his rear were already overtaxed to supply his present army.

I learned from General Hurlbut that Osterhaus's division was already out in front of Corinth, and that John E. Smith was still at Memphis, moving his troops and material out by rail as fast as its limited stock would carry them. General J. D. Webster was Superintendent of the railroad, and was enjoined to work night and day and expedite the movement as much as possible; but the capacity of the railroad was so small that I soon saw that I could move horses, mules, and wagons by the road under escort, and finally moved the entire Fourth division by land.

The enemy seemed to have had early notice of this movement, and he endeavored to thwart us from the start.

A considerable force assembled in a threatening attitude at Salem, south of Salisbury Station, and General Carr, who commanded at Corinth, felt compelled to turn back and use a part of my troops that had already reached Corinth to resist the threatened attack.

On Sunday, October eleventh, having put in