Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
The Relief of Knoxville explained
Following the Union victory at Chattanooga, Grant turns his attention to relieving Burnside's besieged forces at Knoxville.
What happens
Following the Union victory at Chattanooga, Grant turns his attention to relieving Burnside's besieged forces at Knoxville. He orders Granger to march but finds him reluctant and slow, forcing Grant to redirect Sherman's weary troops to the rescue. Grant sends Colonel Wilson and Charles Dana into Knoxville with messages to coordinate relief and deceive Longstreet. The chapter details the logistical challenges, the suffering of Sherman's men, and the eventual success of the relief effort, concluding with a summary of Union casualties and captures.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Humility
Grant demonstrates decisive leadership by overriding Granger's reluctance and ordering Sherman to march, while also showing humility in acknowledging the suffering of his troops.
The Horrors and Cost of War
The chapter details the physical suffering of Sherman's men—without coats, blankets, or adequate rations—and the casualties from the Ringgold attack, underscoring war's human toll.
Duty and Service
Sherman's troops, despite exhaustion and deprivation, willingly march to Knoxville 'for the good of the cause,' exemplifying selfless service.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
As General-in-Chief, Grant directs the relief of Knoxville, overcomes bureaucratic obstruction from Stanton, and personally assesses the situation at Ringgold before ordering Sherman to march.
- Ambrose E. Burnside
Besieged at Knoxville, Burnside reports his supplies are nearly exhausted and faces the prospect of surrender or retreat; he is relieved by Sherman's approach.
- William T. Sherman
Sherman's troops, exhausted and ill-equipped after the Chattanooga campaign, are ordered to march to Knoxville; they endure cold and hunger but succeed in relieving Burnside.
- James Longstreet
Longstreet commands the Confederate forces besieging Knoxville; he learns of Sherman's advance through a deliberately leaked message.
- George H. Thomas
Thomas is directed to prepare Granger's troops for the relief of Knoxville but delays the order, causing Grant to intervene.
- John G. Foster
Foster is mentioned as the commander of the 4th corps under Granger, tasked with the relief movement.
- Edwin M. Stanton
Stanton is criticized for withholding Grant's orders and temporarily usurping his authority as General-in-Chief, though he later apologizes.
- James H. Wilson
Colonel Wilson is sent by Grant into Knoxville to deliver a message to Burnside and coordinate the relief effort.
Key passages
“I remonstrated against this in writing, and the Secretary apologetically restored me to my rightful position of General-in-Chief of the Army. But he soon lapsed again and took control much as before.”
Grant protested Stanton's interference in writing, and Stanton apologized and returned Grant's authority, but soon resumed his old habits.
Grant describes Stanton's pattern of overstepping his role as Secretary of War.
“Sherman, having accomplished the object for which he was sent, marched back leisurely to his old camp on the Tennessee River.”
After completing his mission, Sherman returned at a relaxed pace to his previous camp on the Tennessee River.
Grant notes Sherman's deliberate, unhurried return after the relief of Knoxville.
“I was very loath to send Sherman, because his men needed rest after their long march from Memphis and hard fighting at Chattanooga. But I had become satisfied that Burnside would not be rescued if his relief depended upon General Granger's movements.”
Grant was reluctant to order Sherman onward due to his troops' exhaustion, but he concluded that Granger would not act in time to save Burnside.
Grant explains his difficult decision to send Sherman despite the men's need for rest.
“The two days' rations had already lasted them five days; and they were now to go through a country which had been run over so much by Confederate troops that there was but little probability of finding much food.”
The rations meant to last two days had stretched to five, and the men faced a region stripped of supplies by Confederate forces.
Grant highlights the severe supply shortages faced by Sherman's men.
