Personal memoirs of U.S. Grant ...

Table Of Contents

FAOB

Chapter I. Preparations for Battle — Thoivias

CARRIES THE FiRST LiNE OP THE EnEMY — SHER- MAN CARRIES Missionary Ridge — Battle of Lookout Mountain — General Hooker's Fight 1

Chapter II, Battle of Chattanooga — A Gallant Charge — Coiviplete Rout of the Enemy — Pursuit OF THE Confederates — General Bragg — Remarks on Chattanooga 12

Chapter III. The Relief of Knoxville — Headquarters moved to Nashville — Visiting Knoxville — Cipher Despatches — Withholding Orders 24

Chapter IV. Operations in Mississippi — Longstreet in East Tennessee — Commissioned Lieutenant-General — Commanding the Armies of the United States — First Interview with President Lincoln 39

Chapter V. The Military Situation — Plans for the Campaign — Sheridan assigned to Command OF the Cavalry — Flank Movements — Forrest at Fort Pillow — General Banks's Expedition — Colonel Mosby — An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign 53

vii

VIU TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Chapter VI. Commencement of the G-rand Cajvi- PAiGN — General Butler's Position — Sheridan's First Raid 71

Chapter VII. Sherman's Cajvipaign in Georgia — Siege op Atlanta — Death of General McPher- SON — Attempt to Capture Andersonville — Capture of Atlanta . • 81

Chapter VIII. Grand Movement of the Army of the Potomac — Crossing the Rapidan — Entering THE Wilderness — Battle of the Wilderness 95

Chapter IX. After the Battle — Telegraph and Signal Service — Movement by the Left Flank 116

Chapter X. Battle of Spottsylvania — Hancock's Position — Assault of Warren's and Wright's Corps — Upton promoted on the Field — Good News from Butler and Sheridan . . . 126

Chapter XL Hancock's Assault — Losses of the Confederates — Promotions recommended — Discomfiture of the Eneimy — E well's Attack — Reducing the Artillery . . . .134

Chapter XII. Movement by the Left Flank — Battle of North Anna — An Incident of the March — Moving on Richmond — South of the Pamunkey — Position of the National Army . 146

Chapter XIII. Advance on Cold Harbor — An Anecdote OF the War — Battle of Cold Harbor — Correspondence with Lee — Retrospective . 162

Chapter XIV. Left-flank Movement across the Chickahominy and James — General Lee — Visit

TABLE OF CONTENTS IX

PAGE

TO Butler — The Movement on Petersburg — The Investiment of Petersburg .... 174

Chapter XV. Raid on the Virginia Central Railroad — Raid on the Weldon Railroad — Early's

MOVEJIENT upon WASHINGTON — MiNING THE

Works before Petersburg — Explosion of the Mine before Petersburg — Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley — Capture of the Weldon Railroad 192

Chapter XVI. Sheridan's Advance — Visit to Sheridan — Sheridan's Victory in the Shenandoah — Sheridan's Ride to Winchester — Close OF THE Campaign for the Winter . . . 213

Chapter XVII. The Cajmpaign in Georgia — Sherman's March to the Sea — War Anecdotes — The March on Savannah — Investjient of Savannah — Capture of Savannah . . . 227

Chapter XVIII. The Battle op Franklin — The Battle of Nashville 254

Chapter XIX, Expedition against Fort Fisher — Attack on the Fort — Failure op the Expedition — Second Expedition against the Fort — Capture of Fort Fisher 261

Chapter XX. Sherman's March N6rth — Sheridan ordered to Lynchburg — Canby ordered to move against Mobile — Movements of Schofield and ThomasI — Capture of Columbia, South Carolina — Sherman in the Carolinas ". .271

Chapter XXI. Arrival of the Peace CoivonssiON- ERS — Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners — An Anecdote of Lincoln — The Winter before

X TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Petersburg — Sheridan destroys the Railroad — Gordon carries the Picket-line — Parke recaptures the Line — The Battle of White Oak Road 287

Chapter XXII. Interview with Sheridan — Grand Movement op the Army of the Potomac — Sheridan's Advance on Five Forks — Battle of Five Forks — Parke and Wright storm the Enemy's Lines — Battles before Petersburg . . .300

Chapter XXIII. The Capture of Petersburg — Meeting President Lincoln in Petersburg — The Capture of Richiviond — Pursuing the Enemy — Visit to Sheridan and Meade . . . 314

Chapter XXIV. Battle of Sailor's Creek — Engagement at Farmville — Correspondence with General Lee — Sheridan intercepts the Enemy . 328

Chapter XXV. Negotiations at Appoiviattox — Interview with Lee at McLean's House — The Terms op Surrender — Lee's Surrender — Interview with Lee after the Surrender . . 337

Chapter XXVI. Morale of the Two Armies — Relative Conditions of the North and South — President Lincoln visits Richmond — Arrival AT Washington — President Lincoln's Assassination — President Johnson's Policy . . 350

Chapter XXVII. Sherman and Johnston — Johnston's Surrender to Sherman — Capture of Mobile — Wilson's Expedition — Capture of Jefferson Davis — General Thomas's Qualities — Estimate of General Canby .... 362

TABLE OF CONTENTS XL

PAGE

Chapter XXVIII. The End of the War — The March to Washington — One of Lincoln's Anecdotes — Grand Review at Washington — Characteristics OF Lincoln and Stanton — Estimate OF THE Different Corps Coimimanders . . 373

Conclusion 386 l^

LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

U. S. Gbant, General Retired Frontispiece

Facing page

Map op the Battle-field of Chattanooga 4

Map of Operations in Mississippi 42

Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant 56

Facsimile of Lincoln's "God-speed" to Grant 64

Map op Operations at Drewry's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred,

AND Deep Bottom 72

Map of the Atlanta Campaign 84

Map illustrating the Siege of Atlanta, Georgia 92

From the Rapidan to Richmond 96

Map of the Wilderness 104

Map op the Country between the "Wilderness and Spott-

SYLVANiA Court House 120

Map op Spottsylvania Court House 128 "^

Map op the Virginia Campaigns of 1864-65 136'

Map of North Anna 150

Field of Operations between the Pamunkey and James

Rivers 156 '

Map of the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren and Sheridan Raids .. 161'^

Map of Cold Harbor 164 '

General Grant and Staff at Bethesda Church 168 "-"

General Grant at Headquarters during the Virginla. Cam-

PAIGN 184

Map of Richmond 200 ^

Map of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign 216 ^

General Grant, Mrs. Grant, and Master Jesse at Headquarters at City Point 224 -'-

From Atlanta to Savannah 240

■snii u^

XIV LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Facing page .

Map of Franklin and Nashville 258

Sketch op Vicinity of Fort Fisher 262 ^

Map of Sherman's Route through the Carolinas 276

Map op Petersburg and Five Forks 304'^

Map of the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns 316 '^

Map of Jetersville and Sailor's Creek 328

Map op High Bridge and Farmville 332 ^

McLean's House, Appomattox Court House 338

Map op Appomattox Court House 340

The Surrender at Appomattox 344

Facsimile of General Grant's Despatch announcing the

Surrender of General Lee 348

Right Profile of General Grant, 1875 368

Left Profile of General Grant, 1875 384

Important Battles op the Civil War 396 ^

PERSONAL MEMOIRS

OF

PERSONAL MEMOIRS

OF

U. S. GKANT

CHAPTEE I

PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE — THOMAS CARRIES THE FIRST LINE OF THE ENEMY — SHERMAN CARRIES MISSIONARY RIDGE — BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUN- TAIN — GENERAL HOOKER'S FIGHT

ON the 20th, when so much was occurring to dis- chap, i courage, — rains falHng so heavily as to delay Nov. ises the passage of troops over the river at Brown's ferry, and threatening the entire breaking of the bridge ; news coming of a battle raging at Knoxville, and ^-^jfo™ of Willcox being threatened by a force from the east, — a letter was received from Bragg which contained these words : " As there may still be some ^•^2)'|™ non-combatants in Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early withdrawal." Of course I understood that this was a device intended to deceive; but I did not know what the intended deception was. On the 22d, however, a deserter came in who informed me that Vol. II.— 1 1

2 PERSONAL MEMOrRS OF U. S. GEANT

Chap. I Bragg was leaving our front, and on that day Buckner's division was sent to reinforce Longstreet at Knoxville, and another division started to follow, but was recalled. The object of Bragg's letter, no doubt, was in some way to detain me until Knoxville could be captured and his troops there be returned to Chattanooga.

Nov. 1863 During the night of the 21st the rest of the pontoon-boats, completed, one hundred and sixteen in all, were carried up to and placed in the North Chickamauga. The material for the roadway over these was deposited out of view of the enemy within a few hundred yards of the bank of the Tennessee, where the north end of the bridge was to rest.

Hearing nothing from Burnside, and hearing much of the distress in Washington on his account, I could no longer defer operations for his relief. I determined, therefore, to do on the 23d, with the Army of the Cumberland, what had been intended to be done on the 24th.

The position occupied by the Army of the Cumberland had been made very strong for defense during the months it had been besieged. The line was about a mile from the town, and extended from Citico Creek — a small stream running near the base of Missionary Eidge and emptying into the Tennessee about two miles below the mouth of the South Chickamauga — on the left to Chattanooga Creek on the right. All commanding points on the line were well fortified and well equipped with artillery. The important elevations within the line had all been carefully fortified and supplied with a proper armament. Among the elevations so forti-

Fortwood fied was one to the east of the town, named Fort

THOMAS CAREIES THE FIKST LINE 3

Wood. It owed its importance chiefly to the fact chap, i that it lay between the town and Missionary Ridge, where most of the strength of the enemy was. Fort Wood had in it twenty-two pieces of artillery, most of which would reach the nearer points of the enemy's line. On the morning of the 23d, Thomas, ^"^aj^g^^^ according to instructions, moved Granger's corps of two divisions, Sheridan and T. J. Wood com- w.p.'mi-ii'; manding, to the foot of Fort Wood, and formed ^te-isthem into line as if going on parade, Sheridan on vois^oct.ii, the right, Wood to the left, extending to or near Ge11.jan.27, Citico Creek. Palmer, commanding the Fourteenth Corps, held that part of our line facing south and southwest. He supported Sheridan with one division (Baird's), while his other division, under John- B^ird^w^p son, remained in the trenches, under arms, ready BriS^n. to be moved to any point. Howard's corps was ^^seljfBvt^' moved in rear of the center. The picket-lines were sept."i,i86i within a few hundred yards of each other. At two o'clock in the afternoon all were ready to advance. By this time the clouds had lifted so that the enemy could see from his elevated position all that was going on. The signal for advance was given by ]^lna"w'B a booming of cannon from Fort Wood and other ^^^^ <2> ^^ points on the line. The rebel pickets were soon driven back upon the main guards, which occupied minor and detached heights between the main ridge and our lines. These, too, were carried before halting, and before the enemy had time to reinforce their advance guards. But it was not without loss on both sides. This movement secured to us a line fully a mile in advance of the one we occupied in the morning, and the one which the enemy had occupied up to this time. The fortifi-

4 PEKSONAL MEMOIRS OF U. S. GEANT

CHAP. I cations were rapidly turned to face the other way. During the following night they were made strong. We lost in this preliminary action about eleven hundred killed and wounded, while the enemy probably lost quite as heavily, including the prisoners that were captured. With the exception of the firing of artillery, kept up from Missionary Eidge and Fort Wood until night closed in, this ended the fighting for the first day.

The advantage was greatly on our side now, and if I could only have been assured that Burnside could hold out ten days longer I should have rested more easily. But we were doing the best we could for him and the cause. w.R.xxxi By the ni2:ht of the 23d Sherman's command was in a position to move, though one division (Osterhaus's) had not yet crossed the river at Brown's ferry. The continuous rise in the Tennessee had rendered it impossible to keep the bridge at that point in condition for troops to cross ; but I was determined to move that night even without this

Ibid. 598 division. Orders were sent to Osterhaus, accordingly, to report to Hooker if he could not cross by eight o'clock on the morning of the 24th. Because of the break in the bridge, Hooker's orders were again changed, but this time only back to those first given to him.

General W. F. Smith had been assigned to duty as Chief Engineer of the Military Division. To him

Ibid. 73 were given the general direction of moving troops by the boats from the North Chickamauga, laying the bridge after they reached their position, and generally all the duties pertaining to his office of chief engineer. During the night G-eneral Morgan

MAP OF THE

BATTLE-FIELD

OF

CHATTANOOGA.

^ ca7e orMt!<

UNITED. STATES FORCES CONrEDERATE •"•

J

CROSSING THE TENNESSEE

L. Smith's division was marched to the point where chap, i the pontoons were, and the brigade of Griles A. coihthMS: Smith was selected for the deUcate duty of manning ^Brls^-Gen!

,1 Vols.Julyie,

the boats and surprising the enemy's pickets on the 1862 south bank of the river. During this night, also, General J. M. Brannan, chief of artillery, moved -Jia^w'T forty pieces of artillery, belonging to the Army of Mexico, the Cumberland, and placed them on the north side Brig.-Geu. of the river so as to command the ground opposite, 28;i86i to aid in protecting the approach to the point where the south end of the bridge was to rest. He had to use Sherman's artillery horses for this purpose, ^-^2)^^^ Thomas having none.

At two o'clock in the morning, November 24th, Giles A. Smith pushed out from the North Chicka- ibid. 73 mauga with his one hundred and sixteen boats, each loaded with thirty brave and well-armed men. The boats with their precious freight dropped down quietly with the current to avoid attracting the attention of any one who could convey information to the enemy, until arriving near the mouth of the South Chickamauga. Here a few boats were landed, the troops debarked, and a rush was made upon the picket-guard known to be at that point. The guard were surprised and twenty of their number captured. The remainder of the troops effected a landing at the point where the bridge was to start, with equally good results. The work of ferrying over Sherman's command from the north side of the Tennessee was at once commenced, using the pontoons for the purpose. A steamer was also brought up from the town to assist. The rest of Jof^s^th^iS: M. L. Smith's division came first, then the division "^BSGln.'

' , - - Vols. Nov.

of John E. Smith. The troops as they landed were 29,1862

CHAP.i put to work intrencliing their position. By daylight the two entire divisions were over and well covered by the works they had built.

The work of laying the bridge on which to cross the artillery and cavalry was now begun. The

■^2)^?'^^ ferrying over the infantry was continued with the steamer and the pontoons, taking the pontoons, however, as fast as they were wanted to put in their place in the bridge. By a little past noon the bridge was completed, as well as one over the South Chickamauga, connecting the troops left on that side with their comrades below, and all the infantry and artillery were on the south bank of the Tennessee.

Ibid. 573 Sherman at once formed his troops for assault on Missionary Eidge. By one o'clock he started with M. L. Smith on his left, keeping nearly the

Ibid. 643 course of Chickamauga Eiver; J. E. Smith next to the right and a little to the rear ; and Ewing still farther to the right and also a little to the rear of J. E. Smith's command, in column, ready to deploy to the right if an enemy should come from that direction. A good skirmish-line preceded each of these columns. Soon the foot of the hill was reached; the skirmishers pushed directly up, followed closely by their supports. By half-past three Sherman was in possession of the height without having sustained much loss. A brigade from each

Ibid. 631 division was now brought up, and artillery was dragged to the top of the hill by hand. The enemy did not seem to be aware of this movement until the top of the hill was gained. There had been a drizzling rain during the day, and the clouds were so low that Lookout Mountain and the top of Mis-

JUNCTION OF HOWARD AND SHERMAN 7

sionary Ridge were obscured from the view of per- chap, i sons in the valley. But now the enemy opened fire upon their assailants, and made several attempts with their skirmishers to drive them away, but without avail. Later in the day a more determined attack was made, but this, too, failed, and Sherman was left to fortify what he had gained.

Sherman's cavahy took up its line of march soon after the bridge was completed, and by half-past three the whole of it was over both bridges and on its way to strike the enemy's communications at Chickamauga station. All of Sherman's command was now south of the Tennessee. During the afternoon General Giles A. Smith was severely wounded captft^Mo! and carried from the field. BriL'-S

Thomas having done on the 23d what was ex- ^*'*'\^2^'*' pected of him on the 24tli, there was nothing for him to do this day except to strengthen his position. Howard, however, effected a crossing of Citico Creek ^JmfS' and a junction with Sherman, and was directed to report to himo With two or three regiments of his command he moved in the morning along the banks of the Teimessee, and reached the point where the bridge was being laid. He went out on the bridge as far as it was completed from the south end, and saw Sherman superintending the work from the north side and moving himself south as fast as an additional boat was put in and the roadway put upon it. Howard reported to his new chief across the chasm between them, which was now narrow and in a few minutes closed.

While these operations were going on to the east of Chattanooga, Hooker was engaged on the west. iwd. au He had three divisions: Osterhaus's, of the Fif-

Chap. I

Chas. Cruft, Col.31st Ind.

Brig.-Gen.

Vols.Jiilyie,

Gen. Mar. 5,

C.L. Stevenson, Miij.- Geu. C. 8.A.

Lookout Mountain

W.R. XXXI

(2) 3.15

Wm. Grose, Col.36tbIncl.

Brig.-Gen.

Vol8.July30, teenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee; Geary's, Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac ; and Cruft's, Fourteenth Corps, Army of the Cumberland. Geary was on the right at Wauhatchie, Cruft at the center, and Osterhaus near Brown's ferry. These troops were all west of Lookout Creek. The enemy had the east bank of the creek strongly picketed and intrenched, and three brigades of troops in the rear to reinforce them if attacked. These brigades occupied the summit of the mountain. General Carter L. Stevenson was in command of the whole. Why any troops, except artillery with a small infantry guard, were kept on the mountain-top I do not see. A hundred men could have held the summit — which is a palisade for more than thirty feet down — against the assault of any number of men from the position Hooker occupied.

The side of Lookout Mountain confronting Hooker's command was rugged, heavily timbered, and full of chasms, making it difficult to advance with troops, even in the absence of an opposing force. Farther up the ground becomes more even and level, and was in cultivation. On the east side the slope is much more gradual, and a good wagon-road zigzagging up it connects the town of Chattanooga with the summit.

Early on the morning of the 24th Hooker moved Geary's division, supported by a brigade of Cruft's, up Lookout Creek, to effect a crossing. The remainder of Cruft's division was to seize the bridge over the creek, near the crossing of the railroad. Osterhaus was to move up to the bridge and cross it. The bridge was seized by Grose's brigade after a slight skirmish with the pickets guarding it.

BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN if

This attracted the enemy, so that Geary's move- chap.i ment farther up was not observed. A heavy mist obscured him from the view of the troops on the top of the mountain. He crossed the creek almost ^'■^2)f9?'^^ unobserved, and captured the picket of over forty men on guard near by. He then commenced ascending the mountain directly in his front. By this time the enemy was seen coming down from his camps on the mountain slope and filing into his rifle-pits to contest the crossing of the bridge. By eleven o'clock the bridge was complete. Osterhaus was up, and after some sharp skirmishing the enemy was driven away with considerable loss in killed and captured.

While the operations at the bridge were progress- rad. 392 ing, Greary was pushing up the hill over great obstacles, resisted by the enemy directly in his front, and in face of the guns on top of the mountain. The enemy, seeing his left flank and rear menaced, gave way, and was followed by Cruft and Osterhaus. Soon these were up abreast of G-eary, and the whole command pushed up the hill, driving the enemy in advance. By noon Geary had gained the open ground on the north slope of the mountain, with his right close up to the base of the upper palisade ; but there were strong fortifications in his front. The rest of the command coming up, a line was formed from the base of the upper palisade to the mouth of Chattanooga Creek.

Thomas and I were on the top of Orchard Knob. Hooker's advance now made our fine a continuous one. It was in full view, extending from the Tennessee River, where Sherman had crossed, up Chickamauga River to the base of Missionary Ridge,

Chap. I over the top of the north end of the ridge to Chattanooga Valley, then along parallel to the ridge a mile or more, across the valley to the month of Chattanooga Creek, thence up the slope of Lookout Mountain to the foot of the upper palisade. The day was hazy, so that Hooker's operations were not visible to us except at moments when the clouds would rise, but the sound of his artillery and musketry was heard incessantly. The enemy on his front was partially fortified, but was soon driven out of his works. During the afternoon the clouds, which had so obscured the top of Lookout all day as to hide whatever was going on from the view of those below, settled down and made it so dark

W.E.XXX1 where Hooker was as to stop operations for the time. At four o'clock Hooker reported his position as impregnable. By a little after five direct communication was established, and a brigade of troops was sent from Chattanooga to reinforce him. These troops had to cross Chattanooga Creek, and met with some opposition, but soon overcame it, and

w.p.cariin. bv nisfht tlic commaudcr, General Carlin, reported inL Mar*^2. ^^ Hookcr and was assigned to his left. I now tel- AugaMswi egraphed to Washington : " The fight to-day provoiInov; gressed favorably. Sherman carried the end of Missionary Ridge, and his right is now at the tunnel, and his left at Chickamauga Creek. Troops W.B.XXXI from Lookout Valley carried the point of the mountain, and now hold the eastern slope and a point high up. Hooker reports two thousand prisoners taken, besides which a small number have fallen into our hands from Missionary Ridge." The ■ Ibid. 26 next day the President replied: "Your despatches as to fighting on Monday and Tuesday are here.

DAVIS'S POSITION 11

Well done. Many thanks to all. Remember Burn- chap, i side." And Halleck also telegraphed : " I congratulate you on the success thus far of your plans. I fear that General Burnside is hard pushed, and that any further delay may prove fatal. I know that you will do all in your power to relieve him."

The division of Jefferson C. Davis, Army of the ^'^aS^^ Cumberland, had been sent to the North Chickamauga to guard the pontoons as they were deposited in the river, and to prevent all ingress or egress of citizens. On the night of the 24th his division, having crossed with Sherman, occupied our extreme left from the upper bridge over the plain to the north base of Missionary Ridge. Firing continued to a late hour in the night, but it was not connected with an assault at any point.

Chapter II

BATTLE OF CHATTANOOGA — A GALLANT CHARGE — COMPLETE EOUT OF THE ENEMY — PURSUIT OF THE CONFEDERATES — GENERAL BRAGG — REMARKS ON CHATTANOOGA

CHAP. II AT twelve o'clock at night, when all was quiet, -^^ I began to give orders for the next day, and

w.B. XXXI sent a despatch to Willcox to encourage Burnside.

(3)240 ^

w.R. XXXI Sherman was directed to attack at daylight. Hooker ^^^*^ was ordered to move at the same hour, and endeavor to intercept the enemy's retreat if he still remained ; if he had gone, then to move directly to Rossville and operate against the left and rear of the force on Missionary Ridge. Thomas was not to move until Hooker had reached Missionary Ridge. As I was with him on Orchard Knob, he would not move without further orders from me.

Nov., 1863 The morning of the 25th opened clear and bright, and the whole field was in full view from the top of Orchard Knob. It remained so all day. Bragg's headquarters were in full view, and officers — presumably staff-officers — could be seen coming and going constantly.

The point of ground which Sherman had carried on the 24th was almost disconnected from the main ridge occupied by the enemy. A low pass, over

BATTLE OF CHATTANOOGA 13

whicli there is a wagon-road crossing the hill, and chap, it near which there is a railroad tunnel, intervenes between the two hills. The problem now was to get to the main ridge. The enemy was fortified on the point ; and back farther, where the ground was still higher, was a second fortification commanding the first. Sherman was out as soon as it was light |^™%^ enough to see, and by sunrise his command was in ^ xi(2)574 motion. Three brigades held the hill already gained. Morgan L. Smith moved along the east base of Missionary Ridge; Loomis along the west base, m*i8x^'oi.26th supported by two brigades of John E. Smith's divi- mi';iomd?. sion ; and Corse with his brigade was between the div. isfh a.- two, moving directly toward the hill to be captured. The ridge is steep and heavily wooded on the east side, where M. L. Smith's troops were advancing, but cleared and with a more gentle slope on the west side. The troops advanced rapidly and carried the extreme end of the rebel works. Morgan L. Smith advanced to a point which cut the enemy off from the railroad-bridge and the means of bringing up supplies by rail from Chickamauga station, where the main depot was located. The enemy |ep"w^°R. made brave and strenuous efforts to drive our ^^^i'^)^''^ troops from the position we had gained, but without success. The contest lasted for two hours. Corse, a brave and efficient commander, was badly corse! Maj. wounded in this assault. Sherman now threatened jfuynjsei; both Bragg's flank and his stores, and made it voif; Aug.' necessary for him to weaken other points of his Apr. 27,1893 line to strengthen his right. From the position I occupied I could see column after column of Bragg's forces moving against Sherman. Every Confederate gun that could be brought to bear upon the

14: PEKSONAL MEMOIES OF U. S. GRANT

CHAP. II Union forces was concentrated upon him. J. E. J^E. Smith's Smith, with two brigades, charged up the west side XXXI (2)644 ^£ ^j^g ridge to the support of Corse's command, over open ground and in the face of a heavy fire of both artillery and musketry, and reached the very parapet of the enemy. He lay here for a time, but the enemy coming with a heavy force upon his right flank, he was compelled to fall back, followed by the foe. A few hundred yards brought Smith's troops into a wood, where they were speedily reformed, when they charged and drove the attacking party back to his intrenchments.

Seeing the advance, repulse, and second advance of J. E. Smith from the position I occupied, I directed Thomas to send a division to reinforce w R^xlfi hi^- Baird's division was accordingly sent from ^^^'"^ the right of Orchard Knob. It had to march a considerable distance directly under the eyes of the enemy to reach its position. Bragg at once commenced massing in the same direction. This was what I wanted. But it had now got to be late in the afternoon, and I had expected before this to see Hooker crossing the ridge in the neighborhood of Rossville and compelling Bragg to mass in that direction also.

Bragg'8 The enemy had evacuated Lookout Mountain