ed on the 29th of August, but an accident occurred which delayed its final completion till September 2.

"The movement across the river was commenced on the 29th, and completed on the 4th of September, leaving the regular brigade in charge of the railroad and dépôt at Stevenson until relieved by Major-General Granger, who was directed, as soon as practicable, to relieve it and take charge of the rear.

"General Thomas' corps was to cross as follows: One division at Caperton's, and one at Bridgeport, Reynolds' at Shellmont in boats, and one division at Battle Creek, on rafts. All were to use the bridge at Bridgeport for such portions of their trains as they might find necessary, and to concentrate near Trenton, and send an advance to seize Frick or Cooper's and Stevens' gaps, on Lookout Mountain, the only practicable routes leading down the mountains into the valley, called McLemore's Cove, which lies at its eastern base, and stretches northeastwardly toward Chattanooga.

"General McCook's corps was to cross; two divisions at Caperton's Ferry move to Valley Head and seize Winston's Gap, while Sheridan was to cross at Bridgeport as soon as the bridge was laid, and join the rest of his corps, near Winston's, by way of Tren

ton.

"General Crittenden's corps was ordered down the Sequatchie, leaving the two advanced brigades, under Hazen and Wagner, with Minty's cavalry and Wilder's mounted infantry, to watch

and annoy the enemy. It was to cross the river, following Thomas' corps, at all three crossings, and to take post on the Murphy's Hollow road, push an advance brigade to reconnoitre the enemy at the foot of Lookout, and take post at Wauhatchie, communicating from his main body with Thomas, on the right, up the Trenton Valley, and threatening Chattanooga by the pass over the point of Lookout.

"The cavalry, crossed at Caperton's and a ford near Island Creek, were to unite in Lookout Valley, take post at Rawlingsville, and reconnoitre boldly toward Rome and Alpine.

"These movements were completed by McCook's and Crittenden's corps on the 6th, and by Thomas' corps on the 8th of September. The cavalry for some reason was not pushed with the vigor nor to the extent which orders and the necessities of the campaign required. Its continual movement since that period, and the absence of MajorGeneral Stanley, the chief of cavalry, have prevented a report which may throw some light on the subject.

"The first barrier south of the Tennessee being crossed, the enemy was found firmly holding the point of Lookout Mountain with infantry and artillery, while our force on the north side of the river reported the movement of the rebel forces from East Tennessee and their concentration at Chattanooga. To dislodge him from that place, it was necessary to carry Lookout Mountain, or so to move as to compel him to quit his position by endangering his line of

"The cavalry was ordered to advance on our extreme right to Summerville, in Broomtown Valley, and General McCook was ordered to support the movement by a division of infantry thrown forward to the vicinity of Alpine, which was executed on the 8th and 9th of September.

"General Thomas was ordered to cross his corps by Frick's or Cooper's and Stevens' gaps, and occupy the head of McLemore's Cove.

"General Crittenden was ordered to reconnoitre the front of Lookout Mountain, sending a brigade upon an almost impracticable path, called the Nickajack Trace, to Summertown, a hamlet on the summit of the mountain overlooking Chattanooga, and holding the main body of his corps, either to support these reconnoissances, to prevent a sortie of the enemy over the nose of Lookout, or to enter Chattanooga in case the enemy should evacuate it or make but feeble resistance. Simultaneously with this movement, the cavalry was ordered to push, by way of Alpine and Broomtown Valley, and strike the enemy's railroad communication between Resaca Bridge and Dalton.

"These movements were promptly begun on the 8th and 9th of September. The reconnoissance of General Crittenden on the 9th developed the fact that the enemy had evacuated Chattanooga the day and night previous, and his advance took peaceable possession at one o'clock P.M.

"His whole corps, with its trains, passed around the point of Lookout Mountain on the 10th, and encamped for the night at Rossville, five miles south of Chattanooga.

During these operations, General Thomas pushed his corps over the mountains at the designated points, each division consuming two days in the

passage.

"The weight of evidence, gathered from all sources, was, that Bragg was moving on Rome, and that his movement commenced on the 6th of September. General Crittenden was, therefore, directed to hold Chattanooga with one brigade, calling all the forces on the north side of the Tennessee across, and to follow the enemy's retreat vigorously, anticipating that the main body had retired by Ringgold and Dalton.

"Additional information, obtained during the afternoon and evening of the 10th of September, rendered it certain that his main body had retired by the Lafayette road, but uncertain whether he had gone far, General Crittenden was ordered at one o'clock A.M. on the 11th to proceed to the front and report, directing his command to advance only as far as Ringgold, and ordered a reconnoissance to Gordon's Mill. His report and further evidence satisfied me that the main body of the rebel army was in the vicinity of Lafayette.

"General Crittenden was therefore ordered to move his corps, with all possible dispatch, from Ringgold to Gordon's Mill, and communicate with General Thomas, who had by that time