Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[308] morning of the 26th he had already rendered unfit for use about ten miles of this road in the direction of Dalton, and then he proceeded northward, expecting to arrive in time to carry away a large supply of provisions destined for Longstreet which the break in the Hiawassee bridge detained at Charleston to the southward of that river. On the other hand, Sherman, informed during the night of Hardee's retreat, gave orders to Davis' division to cross the Chickamauga at four o'clock in the morning on Long's tracks. During that time Howard is to throw a bridge across the river near Boyce's Station, and is to be followed in his march by the Fifteenth corps. Sherman himself, with his six divisions, is to ascend the right bank. If Bragg has delayed on that side, he will thus compel him promptly to retreat; if Bragg has not waited for him, he will move on his flank to throw him back toward the south and close to him the road to East Tennessee. Thomas has likewise received Grant's orders. He is to remain at Chattanooga, where the Fourth corps will return during the day to take up the stores and equipments requisite for a long campaign.

In fact, as soon as Bragg's movements shall be made known, Granger shall take up the line of march, with his two divisions and some reinforcements, for Knoxville. The last news received from Burnside causes fear lest he may be very closely pressed, and unable for want of provisions to resist longer than the 3d of December. Therefore, there is no time to lose in going to his aid. The rest of the army—that is to say, the three divisions of Osterhaus, Cruft, and Geary, and the Fourteenth corps—shall move down the eastern slopes of Missionary Ridge and start at daybreak, under Hooker's direction, in pursuit of the enemy.

Stimulated by success, the Federal soldiers execute with alacrity the orders of their chief. On the left, Davis crosses the Chickamauga in the night. Materials lacking to establish a crossing at Boyce's Station, the Eleventh and the Fifteenth corps will cross over, after Davis, on the ponton-bridge. They are not long in joining him, because a dense fog much delays the march of his vanguard. At last the fog vanishes, and Davis reaches Chickamauga Station, which for the last two months was the main subsistence centre for Bragg's army. The latter, believing this station sheltered from the enemy, had collected there his stores