in his rash attempt. By this time his opportunity was lost. He could no longer serve Bragg, and retreated rapidly into Virginia.

When

When Rosecrans was removed, Halleck telegraphed to Grant to take command of the army, and ordered troops from all parts to Chattanooga but Grant was sick at New Orleans, and meanwhile Bragg's cavalry under Wheeler had captured in Sequatchie Valley Thomas' train of a thousand wagons loaded with supplies; then another train at McMinnville, besides destroying railroads and bridges to prevent relief reaching him. Thomas was reduced to terrible straits. Grant at last reached Louisville, October 18th, he telegraphed to Thomas to hold Chattanooga at all hazards, and that general replied: "I will hold on till we starve." Grant, on arriving at Chattanooga on the 23d of October, proceeded with General Thomas and his chief engineer to examine the river. It was decided that Hooker should cross at Bridgeport, where he was, and advance on Wauhatchie, in Lookout Valley. This he did on the 28th, while four thousand men under Brigadier-General W. F. Smith dropped down the river by night and seized the heights at Brown's Ferry, and in the morning completed a pontoon bridge. Grant had thus gained the shortest line for concentrating his troops, and a convenient road for supplies. With scarcely a skirmish between pickets he had made Chattanooga safe.

Law's division of Longstreet's corps on Lookout Mountain had watched Hooker, occasionally sending a shell into his line. He was not strong enough to fight Hooker by daylight, but hoped to surprise part of his force in the woods, and at least cripple him by capturing a train. At one o'clock in the morning he attacked Geary with a wild yell, charging on three sides at once. But Geary held his own; and Schurz came up to his aid, while Tyndale's brigade gallantly car

ried a hill on his left, and the 73d Ohio charged up a hill still farther behind. Foiled and badly shattered, Law's line recoiled into the darkling woods, leaving one hundred and fifty-three dead and more than a hundred prisoners. Hooker followed up his success by clearing Raccoon Mountain of the enemy.

Bragg, weakened by the absence of Longstreet, made no further attack, but held to his strong line along the western and northern slopes of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and across the valley at the mouth of Chattanooga Creek.

Sherman, ordered by Grant to join him, had marched from Vicksburg with his corps, harassed all the way by the enemy; but Grant ordered him to use all dispatch, and on the 15th of November he reported in person. Grant at once sent this new force to threaten Bragg's extreme right; but when he had engaged Bragg's attention there, he quietly crossed at the pontoon bridge, and moving around Chattanooga, took position on Thomas' left. On the 23d, Thomas advanced with Granger's corps, Sheridan, Wood, and Palmer. With one bold rush they carried Orchard Ridge, taking the Confederate rifle-pits and many prisoners. Then Hooker moved on Lookout Mountain, which was held by General Stevenson with six brigades, and soon reinforced. But Hooker pressed on, seizing a bridge here, building one there. Then he opened with all his artillery, and Wood and Gross, dashing across, joined Geary, and swept down the valley, driving the enemy before them up the mountain, and following at full speed over ledge and chasm; while Geary swept round the summit and pressed on. Hooker, for fear of surprise, had ordered them to halt at the summit; but they kept on, driving the shattered remnant of the enemy down the eastern side of the mountain. At two o'clock so dense a

cloud enveloped the mountain that no further movement was possible : but Hooker made good his position by good though hasty works.

About sunset the enemy made a final effort to gain the mountain; before morning they abandoned it, leaving rations by the thousand, and abundant camp equipage. A difficult mountain position, held by a brave enemy, with brave troops had been carried.

While he was resting, Sherman was busy crossing, and by noon had bridges across the Tennessee and Chickamauga, eight thousand men over, and the rest crossing, eager to join in the hot work of the day. The firing soon began. A sharp struggle was made for Mission Ridge, but Sherman planted himself there, and soon made his line too strong to fear attack.

Thomas pushed on to join the advanced positions of Sherman and Hooker, while Thomas' cavalry under Colonel Long swept along Bragg's rear, burning Tyner's Station, capturing wagons, and destroying stores-playing the same game on Bragg that he had played before on Rosecrans. Bragg was beaten out of his strong line: he abandoned Lookout Mountain; but Hooker pressed on, delayed by the destruction of bridges. While Osterhaus swung around Mission Ridge on the east, and Geary on the west, Crufts moved upon the enemy's front, well protected as it was by breastworks. At a charge they swept on, bearing the Confederates before them, flanked as they were by Osterhaus and Geary, who captured all who attempted to At sunset, Hooker had cleared the mountain, and encamped amid the rocky heights he had so nobly won.

escape.

Sherman met harder work as he advanced down one mountain-slope and up another in face of the enemy. A long, stubborn fight ensued, actually hand to hand; but Corse could not carry the enemy's works,