New-York tribune., 1885-07-24
The VICTORY OF CHATTANOOGA.

Grants first act In the Chattanooga campaign was
to place General George II. Thomas In command OF
the army under him. There .were rumors that Z
surrender possible Grant telegrapbed to him:
" Hold Chattanooga at all hazards. will be there
as soon as possible" This brave answer was flashed
back: IL will hold the town till starve.' Al
Nashville Grant took horses for lie able ride,
though still walking on crutches and where 10 was
not safe riding the soldiers carried him in theis
arma He reached Chattanooga on the 23d Of
October. and found the men on half rations and
likely in week or two to be starved out He found
the plans formed however. for relief and also fol
taking the offensive; and adopted them. In Ave
days the route to Nashville was opened, and the
army once of supplies, revived its spirtx
General Bragg, the Confederate commander made
olunder which Grant promptly improved eecin0
that he could not starve out the Union army,
Bragg determined to strike blow before Grant
could attack him. This was to send Longstrect to
capture Burnsides weak column in East Tennessee
Grants force, when Sherman arrived. was 10000
men. and Bragg who had weakened himself in this
way, had not more than 10000. Then followed the
battles of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain,
the latter famous tho battle above the cloudsA
On November "a and 25, 1858. Tho rebels
retreatel in wild disorder, and bragg himsolf
narrowly escaped capture. They fell back a. far ~
Dalton, Georgia. Chattanooga was safe. and the
way was opened for the march to Atlanta and the
sea. Grant sent modest dispatch announcing his
success. This victory carried Grant to the very
crest of the wave of popularity The first action Of
Congress was to strike q gold medal for Grant
Resolutions Of thanks were passed bX the New.
York and Ohio Legislatures. General lialeck. IN
his annlal report. declared that considering the
strength OF the rebel position and the difficulty OF
,torming his intrenchments the battle OF CHAT
tapooea must be considered as tho most remarkable
IN history" Mr. Washburne introduced resolu'
ton revvng for Grant the grade OF Lientenant-
and by Winfield Scott by brcvet appointment
While this was pending Grant received banqneN
and other honors from various ctles-among them
ST. Louis. where he had lately hauled wood Tor
living. There was talk of nominating him for the
Presidency, but he was too sensible to become Mf
Lincoln's rival. and too sagacous not to see thas
his chance of greatest distinction lay in the Field:
So he said. in his quiet homeiy way, tnat ~ hsa 81
wanted TO he Mavor of Galena 80 that he could got
the sidewalk fixed between his house and the depot,
Just SO after Vickseurg, when the same ponticat
business began he had simply said that he was NOS
! !, party man. lie knew nothing oi politlcs. ihero
one thing he did know all ABOUT, ana tnas ""s
On March 2. 1864. little less than three years
after be read the OF the firing on Sumter IN the
eather store of Gaena, 3 Grant was conWrm53 WS
"a Lieutenant General. Before starting for wash
ington to take command OF tbs Federal armies III
wrote to General Sherman in part as follows:
Whilst have been emnenty successful Ia THIS Wal. ~
at least caning the confidence OF the puDc no one 'ec
more than how nnca o. tais success y ae " s Sae
energy skill and tho harmonious putting forth ot thAs
enerSy and skill OF those whom II has been my Roou
fortune 70 have 70 wbom these rsmsrs are
applicable greater or less degree proportionate "
their ability sodiesi but what want Is 70 express
nv thanks and McPherson as the D.en 10 whon
above all others, feel indebted for Whatever nave
had OF success