# Assuming the Command at Chattanooga—Opening a Line of Supplies—Battle of Wauhatchie—On the Picket Line explained — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

> Chapter companion for Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

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