All preparations should be made for attacking the enemy’s position on Missionary Ridge by Saturday at daylight.  Not being provided with a map giving names of roads, spurs of the mountains, and other places, such definite instructions cannot be given as might be desirable.  However, the general plan, you understand, is for Sherman, with the force brought with him strengthened by a division from your command, to effect a crossing of the Tennessee River just below the mouth of Chickamauga; his crossing to be protected by artillery from the heights on the north bank of the river (to be located by your chief of artillery), and to secure the heights on the northern extremity to about the railroad tunnel before the enemy can concentrate against him.  You will co-operate with Sherman.  The troops in Chattanooga Valley should be well concentrated on your left flank, leaving only the necessary force to defend fortifications on the right and centre, and a movable column of one division in readiness to move wherever ordered.  This division should show itself as threateningly as possible on the most practicable line for making an attack up the valley.  Your effort then will be to form a junction with Sherman, making your advance well towards the northern end of Missionary Ridge, and moving as near simultaneously with him as possible.  The junction once formed and the ridge carried, communications will be at once established between the two armies by roads on the south bank of the river.  Further movements will then depend on those of the enemy.  Lookout Valley, I think, will be easily held by Geary’s division and what troops you may still have there belonging to the old Army of the Cumberland.  Howard’s corps can then be held in readiness to act either with you at Chattanooga or with Sherman.  It should be marched on Friday night to a position on the north side of the river, not lower down than the first pontoon-bridge, and there held in readiness for such orders as may become necessary.  All these troops will be provided with two days’ cooked rations in haversacks, and one hundred rounds of ammunition on the person of each infantry soldier.  Special care should be taken by all officers to see that ammunition is not wasted or unnecessarily fired away.  You will call on the engineer department for such preparations as you may deem necessary for carrying your infantry and artillery over the creek.

U. S. GRANT,
Major-General.

(16) In this order authority was given for the troops to reform after taking the first line of rifle-pits preparatory to carrying the ridge.

(17) CHATTANOOGA, November 24,1863.

MAJOR-GENERAL.  CEO.  H. THOMAS,
Chattanooga