On the morning of the 25th of November Bragg’s entire army was holding only the line of Missionary Ridge, and our troops, being now practically connected from Sherman to Hooker, confronted it with the Army of the Cumberland in the centre—­bowed out along the front of Wood’s division and mine.  Early in the day Sherman, with great determination and persistence, made an attempt to carry the high ground near the tunnel, first gaining and then losing advantage, but his attack was not crowned with the success anticipated.  Meanwhile Hooker and Palmer were swinging across Chattanooga Valley, using me as a pivot for the purpose of crossing Missionary Ridge in the neighborhood of Rossville.  In the early part of the day I had driven in the Confederate pickets in my front, so as to prolong my line of battle on that of Wood, the necessity of continuing to refuse my right having been obviated by the capture of Lookout Mountain and the advance of Palmer.

About 2 o’clock orders came to carry the line at the foot of the ridge, attacking at a signal of six guns.  I had few changes or new dispositions to make.  Wagner’s brigade, which was next to Wood’s division, was formed in double lines, and Harker’s brigade took the same formation on Wagner’s right.  Colonel F. T. Sherman’s brigade came on Harker’s right, formed in a column of attack, with a front of three regiments, he having nine.  My whole front was covered with a heavy line of skirmishers.  These dispositions made, my right rested a little distance south of Moore’s road, my left joined Wood over toward Orchard Knob, while my centre was opposite Thurman’s house —­the headquarters of General Bragg—­on Missionary Ridge.  A small stream of water ran parallel to my front, as far as which the ground was covered by a thin patch of timber, and beyond the edge of the timber was an open plain to the foot of Missionary Ridge, varying in width from four to nine hundred yards.  At the foot of the ridge was the enemy’s first line of rifle-pits; at a point midway up its face, another line, incomplete; and on the crest was a third line, in which Bragg had massed his artillery.

The enemy saw we were making dispositions for an attack, and in plain view of my whole division he prepared himself for resistance, marching regiments from his left flank with flying colors; and filling up the spaces not already occupied in his intrenchments.  Seeing the enemy thus strengthening himself, it was plain that we would have to act quickly if we expected to accomplish much, and I already began to doubt the feasibility of our remaining in the first line of rifle-pits when we should have carried them.  I discussed the order with Wagner, Harker, and Sherman, and they were similarly impressed, so while anxiously awaiting the signal I sent Captain Ransom of my staff to Granger, who was at Fort Wood, to ascertain if we were to carry the first line or the ridge beyond.  Shortly after Ransom started the signal guns were fired, and I told my brigade commanders to go for the ridge.