My plan is to move your forces out gradually until they reach the railroad between Cleveland and Dalton.  Granger will move up the south side of the Tennessee with a column of twenty thousand men, taking no wagons, or but few, with him.  His men will carry four days’ rations, and the steamer Chattanooga, loaded with rations, will accompany the expedition.

I take it for granted that Bragg’s entire force has left.  If not, of course, the first thing is to dispose of him.  If he has gone, the only thing necessary to do to-morrow will be to send out a reconnoissance to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy.  Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

P. S.-On reflection, I think we will push Bragg with all our strength to-morrow, and try if we cannot out off a good portion of his rear troops and trains.  His men have manifested a strong disposition to desert for some time past, and we will now give them a chance.  I will instruct Thomas accordingly.  Move the advance force early, on the most easterly road taken by the enemy.  U. S. G.

This compelled me to reverse our column, so as to use the bridge across the Chickamauga at its mouth.  The next day we struck the rebel rear at Chickamauga Station, and again near Graysville.  There we came in contact with Hooker’s and Palmer’s troops, who had reached Ringgold.  There I detached Howard to cross Taylor’s Ridge, and strike the railroad which comes from the north by Cleveland to Dalton.  Hooker’s troops were roughly handled at Ringgold, and the pursuit was checked.  Receiving a note from General Hooker, asking help, I rode forward to Ringgold to explain the movement of Howard; where I met General Grant, and learned that the rebels had again retreated toward Dalton.  He gave orders to discontinue the pursuit, as he meant to turn his attention to General Burnside, supposed to be in great danger at Knoxville, about one hundred and thirty miles northeast.  General Grant returned and spent part of the night with me, at Graysville.  We talked over matters generally, and he explained that he had ordered General Gordon Granger, with the Fourth Corps, to move forward rapidly to Burnsides help, and that he must return to Chattanooga to push him.  By reason of the scarcity of food, especially of forage, he consented that, instead of going back, I might keep out in the country; for in motion I could pick up some forage and food, especially on the Hiawassee River, whereas none remained in Chattanooga.

Accordingly, on the 29th of November, my several columns marched to Cleveland, and the next day we reached the Hiawassee at Charleston, where the Chattanooga & Knoxville Railroad crosses it.  The railroad-bridge was partially damaged by the enemy in retreating, but we found some abandoned stores.  There and thereabouts I expected some rest for my weary troops and horses; but, as I rode into town, I met Colonel J. H. Wilson and C. A. Dana (Assistant Secretary of War), who had ridden out from Chattanooga to find me, with the following letter from General Grant, and copies of several dispatches from General Burnside, the last which had been received from him by way of Cumberland Gap: