Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Assuming the Command at Chattanooga—Opening a Line of Supplies—Battle of Wauhatchie—On the Picket Line explained
Grant arrives at Chattanooga to find the Army of the Cumberland besieged and starving.
What happens
Grant arrives at Chattanooga to find the Army of the Cumberland besieged and starving. He personally reconnoiters the enemy positions, then orders a daring operation to open a supply line (the 'cracker line') via Brown's Ferry. Troops under Generals Smith, Hazen, Hooker, and Howard execute a night river crossing and secure Lookout Valley, despite a Confederate attack at Wauhatchie. The successful opening of the route brings food, clothing, and ammunition, revitalizing the Union army and lifting morale. Grant reflects on the broader costs and benefits of the war, arguing that the South's defeat was ultimately beneficial.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Humility
Grant personally reconnoiters the enemy lines and credits subordinates like W. F. Smith for their judgment, demonstrating hands-on leadership and willingness to delegate.
The Horrors and Cost of War
Describes the starving condition of the troops, the relief of full rations, and the night battle at Wauhatchie with heavy losses.
Slavery and Racial Justice
Grant reflects that the South was burdened by slavery, an institution that degraded labor and kept the governing class enervated, and argues the South benefited from defeat.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Assumes command at Chattanooga, personally inspects the front, and orchestrates the opening of the 'cracker line' supply route.
- George H. Thomas
Accompanies Grant on reconnaissance; had previously ordered concentration of reinforcements at Bridgeport.
- William F. Smith
Instrumental in planning and commanding the troops that executed the Brown's Ferry crossing and bridge-laying.
- Joseph Hooker
Commands the 11th and 12th corps; crosses at Bridgeport and marches into Lookout Valley, engaging at Wauhatchie.
- Oliver O. Howard
Leads a division under Hooker; marches to reinforce Geary at Wauhatchie and captures a rebel-held hill en route.
- John G. Foster
Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted as no clear presence.
- Jefferson Davis
Visited Bragg shortly before Grant's arrival and perceived the Union army's dire condition.
- Braxton Bragg
Confederate commander at Chattanooga; his dispositions to starve the Union army were not 'faithfully sustained.'
Key passages
“In five days from my arrival in Chattanooga the way was open to Bridgeport and, with the aid of steamers and Hooker’s teams, in a week the troops were receiving full rations.”
Within five days of reaching Chattanooga, Grant had opened a supply route to Bridgeport, and within a week the army was fully fed thanks to steamers and Hooker's wagons.
Highlights the rapid success of the operation to relieve the besieged army.
“There was no time during the rebellion when I did not think, and often say, that the South was more to be benefited by its defeat than the North.”
Grant consistently believed that the South gained more from losing the war than the North did from winning.
Reflects Grant's view that defeat freed the South from the burden of slavery.
“The enemy was surprised by the movements which secured to us a line of supplies.”
The Confederates were caught off guard by the Union maneuvers that established a secure supply line.
Emphasizes the element of surprise in Grant's strategy.
