med of, that in order to regain possession
of them, a night attack was made by a portion of Longstreet's
forces on a portion of Hooker's troops (Geary's Division of the
12th Corps) the first night after Hooker's arrival in the valley.
This attack failed, however, and Howard's Corps, which was moving
to the assistance of Geary, finding that it was not required by
him, carried the remaining heights held by the enemy west of
Lookout Creek. This gave us quiet possession of the line of
communication heretofore described south of the Tennessee river.

Of these operations I cannot speak more particularly, the
sub-reports having been sent to Washington without passing
through my hands.

By the use of two steamboats, one of which had been left at
Chattanooga by the enemy and fell into our hands, and one that
had been built by us at Bridgeport, plying between Bridgeport and
Kelly's Ferry, we were enabled to obtain supplies with but eight
miles of wagoning. The capacity of the railroad and steamboats
was not sufficient, however, to supply all the wants of the army,
but actual suffering was prevented.

Ascertaining from scouts and deserters that Bragg was detaching
Longstreet from the front and moving him in the direction of
Knoxville, Tennessee, evidently to attack Burnside, and feeling
strongly the necessity of some move that would compel him to
retain all his forces and recall those he had detached,
directions were given for a movement against Missionary Ridge
with a view of carrying it, and threatening the enemy's
communication with Longstreet, of which I informed Burnside by
telegraph on the 7th of November. After a thorough reconnoissance
of the ground, however, it was deemed utterly impracticable to
make the move until Sherman could get up, because of the
inadequacy of our force and the condition of the animals then at
Chattanooga, and I was forced to leave Burnside, for the present,
to contend against superior forces of the enemy until the arrival
of Sherman with his men and means of transportation. In the
meantime reconnoissances were made and plans matured for
operations. Despatches were sent to Sherman, informing him of the
movement of Longstreet and the necessity of his immediate
presence at Chattanooga. On the 14th of November, I tele