Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Battle of Chattanooga explained
Grant describes the Battle of Chattanooga on November 25, 1863, including the assault on Missionary Ridge, the coordination of forces under Sherman, Hooker, and Thomas, and the complete rout of Bragg's Confederate army.
What happens
Grant describes the Battle of Chattanooga on November 25, 1863, including the assault on Missionary Ridge, the coordination of forces under Sherman, Hooker, and Thomas, and the complete rout of Bragg's Confederate army. He reflects on Bragg's strategic errors, the intermingling of Union commands without jealousy, and the roles of Jefferson Davis and Longstreet in the campaign.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Humility
Grant coordinates multiple army corps without rivalry, emphasizing unity of purpose and effective command.
The Horrors and Cost of War
Descriptions of heavy fighting, including Corse's wounding and the repulse of J. E. Smith's brigades, highlight the brutal cost of the battle.
Reconciliation and Magnanimity
Grant reflects on Bragg's character with a mix of criticism and respect, and notes the absence of jealousy among Union troops.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Commands the Union forces, issues orders for the assault on Missionary Ridge, and observes the battle from Orchard Knob.
- William T. Sherman
Leads the attack on the Confederate right flank on Missionary Ridge, threatening Bragg's flank and supplies.
- Joseph Hooker
Ordered to cross Lookout Mountain and move toward Rossville to strike Bragg's left and rear, but delayed by the burning of Chattanooga Creek bridge.
- George H. Thomas
Commands the Army of the Cumberland; ordered to assault the ridge after Hooker secures the flank, and sends Baird's division to reinforce Sherman.
- Braxton Bragg
Confederate commander at Chattanooga; criticized for strategic mistakes including sending away Longstreet and a division before the battle.
- James Longstreet
Bragg's ablest corps commander, sent with over twenty thousand troops to Knoxville; Grant contrasts his character with Bragg's.
- Jefferson Davis
Visited Bragg before the battle; Grant suggests Davis's military interference may have contributed to Confederate defeat.
- John A. Logan
Not present in this chapter; omitted.
Key passages
“The victory at Chattanooga was won against great odds, considering the advantage the enemy had of position, and was accomplished more easily than was expected by reason of Bragg’s making several grave mistakes”
Despite the Confederates' strong defensive positions, the Union won more easily than anticipated because Bragg made critical errors.
Grant attributes Union success partly to Bragg's strategic blunders.
“I could well understand how there might be an irreconcilable difference between them. Bragg was a remarkably intelligent and well-informed man... But he was possessed of an irascible temper, and was naturally disputatious.”
Grant explains the clash between Bragg and Longstreet by noting Bragg's intelligence but quarrelsome nature.
Grant contrasts Bragg's temperament with Longstreet's character.
