For quite a time rumors came of Burnside’s advance through East Tennessee and of Longstreet’s detachment from the army to meet him.  The troops were kept in constant expectation, with the regulation “four days” cooked rations on hand.  It is not our purpose to criticise the acts of Generals, or the schemes and plans of the Southern Government, but future historical critics will not differ as to the ultimate results of the East Tennessee move.  That Longstreet’s advance to East Tennessee was without results, if not totally disastrous, all will agree.  To divide an army in the face of an enemy, is dangerous at best, and, with few exceptions, has been avoided by Generals and commanders of all time.  Lee could afford it, because he was Lee and had a Jackson to execute the movements, but on occasions when the enemy in front are more numerous and commanded by the most able and astute Generals of the time, the movement is hazardous in the extreme.  Lee and his Lieutenants had already “robbed the cradle and the grave” to replenish their ranks, and what real benefit would accrue to the South had Longstreet captured the whole of Burnside’s Army, when the North had many armies to replace it?  The critics of the future will judge the movement as ill-timed and fraught with little good and much ill to the Confederacy.  However, it was so ordered, and no alternate was left the officers and soldiers but to obey.

On the 9th of October President Davis came out to Chattanooga to give matters his personal attention and seek, if possible, some “scape-grace” upon which to saddle the blame for not reaping greater fruits of the battle, and to vindicate the conduct of his commander in chief.

General Bragg had already preferred charges against Lieutenant General Polk, commander of the right wing of the army, for his tardiness in opening the battle of the 20th, and General Hindman was relieved of the command of his division for alleged misconduct prior to that time.  Many changes were proposed and made in the corps and division commanders, as well as plans discussed for the future operations of the army.  All agreed that it should be aggressive.

Major General Cheatham was temporarily placed in command of Folk’s Corps after the downfall of that General, and he himself soon afterwards superseded by lieutenant General Hardee.  President Davis had thought of placing Pemberton, who had capitulated to Grant at Vicksburg, but who had been exchanged, in command of the corps; but the officers and troops demurred at this, and public opinion was so outspoken, that Mr. Davis was forced to abandon the idea.  It was, therefore, given to Hardee.  For some offense given by Major General D.H.  Hill, who commanded the right of the right wing on the 20th, he was relieved of his command and his connection with the Army of Tennessee.  Major General Buckner, commanding the divisions on the left of Longstreet’s wing, also came under the ban of official displeasure and