strongly
located, it is not easy to tell how this is to be effected, until
the result of our first effort is known. I will add, however,
what is not now shown in my instructions to Thomas, that a
brigade of cavalry has been ordered here which, if it arrives in
time, will be thrown across the Tennessee above Chicamauga, and
may be able to make the trip to Cleveland or thereabouts.

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

Sherman's forces were moved from Bridgeport by way of Whitesides,
our division threatening the enemy's left flank in the direction
of Trenton, crossing at Brown's Ferry, up the north bank of the
Tennessee to near the mouth of South Chicamauga, where they were
kept concealed from the enemy until they were ready to force a
crossing. Pontoons for throwing a bridge across the river were
built and placed in the North Chicamauga, near its mouth, a few
miles further up, without attracting the attention of the enemy.
It was expected we would be able to effect the crossing on the
21st of November, but owing to heavy rains, Sherman was unable
to get up until the afternoon of the 23d, and then only with (p. 401)
Generals Morgan L. Smith's, John E. Smith's, and Hugh Ewing's
divisions of the 15th Corps, under command of Major-General
Frank P. Blair, of his army. The pontoon bridge at Brown's Ferry
having been broken by the drift consequent upon the rise in the
river and rafts sent down by the enemy, the other division
(Osterhaus') was detained on the south side, and was on the night
of the 23d ordered, unless it could get 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.

A deserter from the rebel army, who came into our lines on the
night of the 22d November, reported Bragg falling back. The
following letter from Bragg, received by flag of truce on the
20th, tended to confirm this report:

"To "Headquarters, Army of the Tennessee,
"MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, "In the Field, 20th November, 1863.
"Commanding United States Forces, Chattanooga.

"General: As there may still be some non-combatants in
Chattanooga, I de