Lookout Valley." A plan that soon was carried out with secrecy quite unaccountable, when we consider the enemy's many sources of information.

Sherman's Advance.

ed through Chattanooga to the left, to act either with Thomas or Sherman, as circumstances demanded.

Uninformed of this concentration on his left, Bragg made no counter disposition to meet it. Indeed, at Longstreet's call for aid in compassing Burnside's reduction and the capture of Knoxville-where almost the entire army of East Tennessee was then besieged

Sherman's advance came into Bridgeport on that day (Nov. 14th),the rear arriving on the 16th, much worn from their long, toilsome march, which was not unaccompanied with fighting. The rebel cavalry under Stephen D. Lee, Chalmers, Roddy, etc., constantly hovered on the flanks and van of the moving column, picking off stragglers, worrying working parties, disputing river crossings, etc., and several sharp conflicts occurred before they were disposed of. No time for rest was permissable; and the men, hardened by many a month of severe service, were put to duty which called for the exercise of the best qual-on the 20th: ities of the true soldier.

Hugh Ewing's division was marched to Shell Mound, and thence ostentatiously advanced to Trenton, as if a movement on the Confederate left were designed. The other commands using the "new road" from Kelley's Ford, alluded to as secured from Confederate observation, crossed on the pontoon bridge at Brown's Ferry, and marched around Chattanooga to Thomas' left, opposite the mouth of South Chickamauga creek. There they remained concealed until the moment came for the movement upon Bragg's right. This date was fixed for the 21st, but, so greatly were the divisions retarded by the swollen condition of the river, and the damage to the pontoons, that it was dawn of Nov. 23d, ere Sherman's actual advance could be attempted. Only three divisions were then up -those of Morgan L. Smith, Hugh S. Ewing (which had made a rapid night counter-march from Trenton to Brown's Ferry), and John E. Smith. Osterhaus, unable to cross in season to join the other divisions of his corps, in consequence of the parting of the pontoon at Brown's Ferry, was halted on the south bank, with orders to join Hooker, if the pontoon was not passable by eight A. M. of the 23d. To replace this detachment Sherman was given Davis' division of Thomas' corps, then occupying the point opposite Chattanooga, and therefore at once available. To keep Thomas' strength unimpaired Howard's

the rebel chief dispatched one division of Buckner's corps toward the north on the 20th the second division having orders to follow on the 23d. To cover these several detachments from observation, Bragg feigned a purpose to attack Chattanooga, by dispatching, under flag of truce, the following, to Grant,

"GENERAL: As there may still be some non-combatants in Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early withdrawal."

Thomas' Advance,

Which, together with a report made by a deserter, of Bragg's having fallen back, induced Grant to feel for his foe. This was done Nov. 23d, by Thomas, who, advancing the centre, made a rapid movement upon Indian Hill (Orchard Ridge), carrying all before him. Granger's two divisions, under Sheridan and Wood, with Baird's division of Palmer's command as a support, did the work. The surprised and routed enemy lost valuable ground, which Thomas quickly put in condition for permanent occupancy. Howard moved up on the left, along the Tennessee, taking a strong position beyond Citico creck, preparatory to the struggle on the morrow. Alarmed at this movement, Bragg recalled Buckner, and made rapid preparations for what he then realized must be in store-a Federal general attack.

To favor the deception of an advance against the rebel left, and thus to divert Bragg's attention from Sherman's movements, Hooker was ordered to make his attempt upon Lookout Mountain, commencing the movement at early dawn. Moving to the line of Lookout creek, at and above the railway bridge, the march was there arrested by the high waters of the little stream, which then ran, a mountain torrent. No bridges