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
dispatch to the relief of Burnside.

General Elliott had been ordered by Thomas on the 26th 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 4th of
December. Sherman succeeded in throwing his cavalry into
Knoxville on the night of the 3d.

Sherman arrived in person at Knoxville on the 6th, and after a
conference with Burnside in reference to "_organizing a pursuing
force large enough to either overtake the enemy and beat him (p. 405)
or 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 7th
addressed to Sherman the following communication:

"To "Knoxville, December 7th, 1863.
"MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN.

"I desire to express to you and to 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
approach served to raise the siege. The emergency having passed,
I do not deem for the present 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' less secure, I deem it
advisable that all the troops now here, except those commanded by
General Granger, should return at once to within supporting
distance of the forces operating against Bragg's army. In behalf
of my command I again desire to thank you and your command, for
the kindness you have done us.

"A. E. BURNSIDE, _Major-General_."

Leaving Granger'