Seeing the advance, repulse, and second advance of J. E. Smith from the position I occupied, I directed Thomas to send a division to reinforce him.  Baird’s division was accordingly sent from the right of Orchard Knob.  It had to march a considerable distance directly under the eye of the enemy to reach its position.  Bragg at once commenced massing in the same direction.  This was what I wanted.  But it had now got to be late in the afternoon, and I had expected before this to see Hooker crossing the ridge in the neighborhood of Rossville and compelling Bragg to mass in that direction also.

The enemy had evacuated Lookout Mountain during the night, as I expected he would.  In crossing the valley he burned the bridge over Chattanooga Creek, and did all he could to obstruct the roads behind him.  Hooker was off bright and early, with no obstructions in his front but distance and the destruction above named.  He was detained four hours crossing Chattanooga Creek, and thus was lost the immediate advantage I expected from his forces.  His reaching Bragg’s flank and extending across it was to be the signal for Thomas’s assault of the ridge.  But Sherman’s condition was getting so critical that the assault for his relief could not be delayed any longer.

Sheridan’s and Wood’s divisions had been lying under arms from early morning, ready to move the instant the signal was given.  I now directed Thomas to order the charge at once (16).  I watched eagerly to see the effect, and became impatient at last that there was no indication of any charge being made.  The centre of the line which was to make the charge was near where Thomas and I stood, but concealed from view by an intervening forest.  Turning to Thomas to inquire what caused the delay, I was surprised to see Thomas J. Wood, one of the division commanders who was to make the charge, standing talking to him.  I spoke to General Wood, asking him why he did not charge as ordered an hour before.  He replied very promptly that this was the first he had heard of it, but that he had been ready all day to move at a moment’s notice.  I told him to make the charge at once.  He was off in a moment, and in an incredibly short time loud cheering was heard, and he and Sheridan were driving the enemy’s advance before them towards Missionary Ridge.  The Confederates were strongly intrenched on the crest of the ridge in front of us, and had a second line half-way down and another at the base.  Our men drove the troops in front of the lower line of rifle-pits so rapidly, and followed them so closely, that rebel and Union troops went over the first line of works almost at the same time.  Many rebels were captured and sent to the rear under the fire of their own friends higher up the hill.  Those that were not captured retreated, and were pursued.  The retreating hordes being between friends and pursuers caused the enemy to fire high to avoid killing their own men.  In fact, on that occasion the Union soldier nearest the enemy was in the safest position.  Without awaiting further orders or stopping to reform, on our troops went to the second line of works; over that and on for the crest—­thus effectually carrying out my orders of the 18th for the battle and of the 24th (17) for this charge.