He looked at the Confederate entrenchments-extending from Missionary Ridge (about eight hundred feet to the top), across Chattanooga Valley to Lookout Mountain (over two thousand feet high)—and concluded to drive the self-satisfied Southerners out of them. The sides of Lookout Mountain were almost perpendicular, but Grant was fully posted as to the climbing and acrobatic abilities of the men under him. Missionary Ridge was strongly fortified. There was a line of entrenchments at its base, and numerous spurs of riflepits up the front; Lookout was bristling with heavy guns, as was also Raccoon Mountain, near it. All approaches were commanded by the Confederates, who were superior in numbers to the Army of the Cumberland. The latter was—and no one attempted to debate the negative side of the question in the worst sort of a pickle. Five days after Grant's arrival clothing and food were brought in, and the heretofore listless men plucked up heart; ammunition was also supplied, and cheerfulness reigned. There was to be some fighting, and the new general in command was to direct it. "Unconditional Surrender" Grant was in the saddle, and the Army of the Cumberland was to not only keep the artillery it had but recover the guns lost at Chickamauga. The men liked Grant. When he came across the camp of a picket guard and heard the call, "Turn out the guard for the Commanding General," he would quietly say, "Never mind the guard." He didn't want the men to waste their time in idle ceremony when they were so soon to be called to serious work. He detested all useless forms when there were other things more worthy of attention. The Northerners and Southerners on the picket lines became very friendly. These lines were separated only by Chattanooga Creek, a narrow stream, but the pickets never fired upon each other. One day, as Grant approached one of the Union picket guard camps, the call was made to turn out for him. The Confederate sentinel, across the creek, also called out, "Turn out the guard for the Commanding GeneralGeneral Grant." The Confederates on the picket line at once came to attention, faced Grant, and saluted him. Grant returned the salute, but he was easier in mind when out of range of the Confederate rifles. BRAGG NEVER SENT HIS REPORT. General Bragg had telegraphed Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, at Richmond, that Chattanooga would soon. fall, as the garrison had "neither food nor forage." He further said that when the town was evacuated he proposed to destroy the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Davis replied that he wanted full particulars of Bragg's victory when it came off, sent by telegraph; and Bragg made answer that he would follow instructions. But the victory didn't come off. The Federals went up the perpendicular sides of Lookout like squirrels and drove the astounded Confederates before them into the adjoining country; they galloped to the top of Missionary Ridge regardless of the storm of lead which beat upon them. It was not long ere Chattanooga was as free as could be; the Confederates got out of the vicinity with alacrity, and Bragg never sent Mr. Davis the details and particulars. Grant said nothing, maintaining his usual boisterous silence. CHAPTER XVIII. GRANT AND LEE-SHERMAN'S MARCH-RICHMOND AND APPOMATTOX-THE WILDERNESS-GRANT MADE 66 "W ELL, Grant has never met 'Bobby' Lee yet," was what members of Grant's staff often heard from Eastern officers, who knew little about the silent man who had fought his way from Springfield, Illinois, to Chattanooga, carrying everything before him and inflicting defeat upon the enemy everywhere. Grant finally met Lee, and the result is a matter of history. Grant's definition of the art of war was easy of comprehension, but it took a strong man to live up to it. Writing to a friend in 1863, he said: "The art of war is simple enough. "Find out where your enemy is. "Get at him as soon as you can. "Strike at him as hard as you can, and as often as you can, and keep moving on." These were the tactics he used against Lee. Grant was commissioned Lieutenant-General on March 9th, 1864, and at once assumed command of the Armies of the United States. He was, personally, practically unknown to the officers and men of the Army of the Potomac and other organizations who had operated only in the East, but these gentlemen inclined to the belief there was something in the man who had accomplished so much and was a total stranger to defeat. They were not exactly pleased at having a Westerner put over them, but Grant took no notice of this, and issued his orders with as much calmness as though he had been accustomed to the refined manners of the East all his life. President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton liked Grant's habit of winning battles, destroying opposing forces and capturing cities. His bothersome way of annoying the enemy suited them, and they were filled |