auga, and the north end of Missionary Ridge, so far as the
same could be made from the north bank of the river, without
exciting suspicions on the part of the enemy, showed good roads
from Brown's Ferry up the river and back of the first range of
hills opposite Chattanooga, and out of view of the enemy's
positions. Troops crossing the bridge at Brown's Ferry could be
seen and their numbers estimated by the enemy, but not seeing
anything further of them as they passed up in rear of these
hills, he would necessarily be at a loss to know whether they
were moving to Knoxville or held on the north side of the river
for further operations at Chattanooga. It also showed that the
north end of Missionary Ridge was imperfectly guarded, and that
the banks of the river from the mouth of South Chicamauga Creek,
westward to his main line in front of Chattanooga, were watched
only by a small cavalry picket. This determined the plan of
operations indicated in my despatch of the 14th to Burnside.

Upon further consideration, the great object being to mass all
the force possible against one given point, namely Missionary
Ridge, converging toward the north end of it, it was deemed best
to change the original plan, so far as it contemplated Hooker's
attack on Lookout Mountain, which would give us Howard's Corps of
his command to aid in this purpose, and on the 18th the following
instructions were given Thomas:

"To
"MAJOR-GENERAL GEO. H. THOMAS.

"All preparations should be made for attacking the enemy's
position on Missionary Ridge by Saturday at daylight. Not being
provided with a map giving names of roads, spurs of the mountain
and other places, such definite instructions cannot be given as
might be desirable. However, the general plan, you understand, is
for Sherman, with the force brought with him, strengthened by a
division from your command, to effect a crossing of the Tennessee
river just below the mouth of the Chicamauga, his crossing to be
protected by artillery from the heights on the north bank of the
river (to be located by your chief of artillery), and to secure
the heights from the northern extremity to about the railroad
tunnel, before the enemy can concentrate against him. You will
co-operate with Sherman. The troops in Chattanooga Vall