and formed a good base for the operations which were to follow.

Hooker moved on the same day, his part being to capture Lookout Mountain, cross the valley of Chattanooga to Rossville, and then co-operate with Sherman's attack on Mission Ridge, by way of Rossville Gap. The enemy's pickets on the Northern slope of Lookout were driven higher up the mountain, and the Tennessee river was rendered safe to all our boats, thus effectually destroying the Rebel blockade.

"ABOVE THE CLOUDS."

Hooker, like Thomas, had surprised the enemy, and followed up his success, fighting that action which is known in American history as "The battle above the clouds." The spectacle of the fight, as seen from Chattanooga, was superb, but the results were more superb still, for the enemy's left was turned, and Hooker, leaving a force to hold the mountain, advanced on the extreme right of our line, to take part in the main attack. Thomas occupied the centre, at Orchard Knob, and Sherman held our left, in front of Tunnel Hill.

Grant, during the prosecution of these unrivaled plans, was, or seemed to be, everywhere present. His energy was untiring, and he left nothing to subordinates that could in any way jeopardize the safety of the army.

Wednesday, November 25th, ushered in the final struggle, on which the fortunes of both generals,

and, in great measure, of both causes, were staked. Grant had fairly outwitted his opponent, and the latter felt it. To add to his misfortunes, Bragg permitted himself to be again out-generaled, in this way: Sherman made the attack on the Rebel position, in front of Tunnel Hill, and Bragg, conceiving that that was to be the main point of attack, commenced moving brigades and regiments from his centre, to aid, as he thought, in annihilating Sherman's army. Grant allowed the Rebels to proceed with their tactical mistake until it was too late to rectify it.

THE GRAND ATTACK.

Grant watched for the advance of Hooker on the Rossville road, and at 20 minutes past three o'clock the signal informed him that "Fighting Joe" had fulfilled his part of the contract, and was in line on the right ready to fall upon the foe. He had been unavoidably detained by a broken bridge across Chattanooga Creek, but he made up for this late in the day.

Scarcely had the head of Hooker's advance appeared, when the signal for the storming of Mission Ridge, being six guns fired at intervals, was given. On the weakened centre and disheartened left of Bragg's army the soldiers of Thomas and Hooker were hurled, charging right up the slopes of the Ridge in defiance of the deluge of fire which the enemy rolled down upon them. Sherman, on the left, renewed his attack with ten-fold energy.

Their

Consternation seized on the rebel army. general proved himself a brave soldier, if not a skillful one, and his exertions to restore the battle were tremendous. But it was all of no use. With enthusiastic shouts our soldiers stormed the crest of the Ridge, and the rebel left fled in panic before Hooker's assault. Their entire line soon gave way, and, after one of the grandest struggles on record, the battle of Chattanooga was won. Grant, elated as he must have been by his splendid success, remained calm as ever, directing the pursuit and taking measures to clear off the wreck of the battlefields.

In this battle, among the many brave and noble men who distinguished themselves as generals was Phil. H. Sheridan, who commanded a division of Granger's corps. He had a horse killed under him, but, undaunted, he stepped upon a gun and reretained his position, so that he could view the fight, until the battle was over. He made a brief but stirring address to his division, which cheered every heart, and, from that day, Grant knew that he had found his thunderbolt-his cavalry leader.

The retreat of the enemy was followed by Sheridan's division. Bragg left 6,000 prisoners in our hands, not counting stragglers; 40 guns; 7,500 small arms, and a large amount of ammunition. The retreat would have been followed up more closely had it not been that Grant feared to leave Burnside isolated in Knoxville.

Burnside had fought gallantly, in retreat, and confronted his enemy with confidence. Sherman and Granger were sent to reinforce him. Longstreet, learning of Bragg's defeat, assaulted Knoxville desperately on November 28, and was bloodily repulsed. The advance of the supporting Federal generals compelled the rebels to raise the siege and retreat in great haste to a safer locality.

END OF THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN.

On December 10, 1863, General Grant issued a congratulatory order to his army, and predicted the speedy downfall of the so-called Confederacy.

With this campaign the active military campaign of Braxton Bragg terminated. His after efforts in the Rebel cause were obscure and unchronicled.

Meanwhile the thanks of the Executive and of Congress were awarded to the victor of Chattanooga. These thanks were supplemented by a magnificent gold medal, voted by Congress, commemorative of General Grant's great victories, and symbolical of the respect and gratitude of the American people.

CHAPTER XII.

GRANT'S MILITARY CAREER.

(CONTINUED.)

Created Lieutenant General-Goes to Washington to Receive his Commission-Two Memorable Speeches-Grant Takes Command-With the Army of the Potomac-In the Wilderness-How he Kept Flanking LeeAn Alert Enemy-The Assault Upon Petersburg-A Failure-The Winter, and How it Was Passed-The End Near-Grant Discovers his Antagonist's Purpose, and Thwarts Him-Sheridan "Pushes Things"-Lee Surrounded-He Surrenders-Collapse of the Confederacy.

CREATED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL.

Such had been the signal abilities displayed by General Grant. The success which had uniformly attended his campaigns, and the confidence and enthusiasm which his name everywhere evoked, that it was deemed best for the public service to place him in the general command of all our armies. Accordingly the committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives reported a bill to revive the rank of Lieutenant General.

The fact that during our whole previous history only two soldiers had been thus honored, will give some idea of the confidence which this new rank implied. Washington and Scott were his glorious predecessors, and Gen. Grant was fully entitled to wear the honors a grateful country had tendered her greatest captains.