graphed
to Burnside as follows:

"To
"MAJOR-GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE.

"Your despatch and Dana's just received. Being there, you can
tell better how to resist Longstreet's attack than I can direct.
With your showing you had better give up Kingston at the last
moment, and save the most productive part of your possessions.
Every arrangement is now made to throw Sherman's forces across
the river just at and below the mouth of Chicamauga creek, as
soon as it arrives. Thomas will attack on his left at the same
time, and together it is expected to carry Missionary Ridge (p. 398)
and from there push a force on to the railroad between
Cleveland and Dalton. Hooker will at the same time attack and, if
he can, carry Lookout Mountain, The enemy now seem to be looking
for an attack on his left flank. This favors us. To further
confirm this, Sherman's advance division will march direct from
Whitesides to Trenton. The remainder of his force will pass over
a new road just made from Whitesides to Kelly's Ferry, thus being
concealed from the enemy, and leave him to suppose the whole
force is going up Lookout Valley.

"Sherman's advance has only just reached Bridgeport. The rear
will only reach there on the 16th. This will bring it to the
19th, as the earliest day for making the combined movement as
desired.

"Inform me if you think you can sustain yourself until that time.
I can hardly conceive of the enemy breaking through at Kingston
and pushing for Kentucky. If they should, however, a new problem
would be left for solution.

"Thomas has ordered a division of cavalry to the vicinity of
Sparta. I will ascertain, if they have started and inform you. It
will be entirely out of the question to send you ten thousand
men, not because they cannot be spared, but how could they be fed
after they got even one day east of here.

"U. S. GRANT,
"_Major-General_."

On the 15th, having received from the General-in-Chief a despatch
of date the 14th, in reference to Burnside's position, the danger
of his abandonment of East Tennessee, unless immediate relief was
afforded, and the terrible misfortune such a result would be to
our arms; and also despatches from Mr. C. A.