The position assigned to me, the table on the top of the mountain, included the pass at Johnston's crook, distant eighteen (18) miles. The numerous passes along the western crest, to "Nickajack" pass, a distance of about ten (10) miles, were held by infantry; the remainder by a small force of cavalry. The defensive works on the mountain extended across from east to west at about two and a half miles from the point.
To guard this extended line, to protect these numerous passes, and to complete, with the dispatch so frequently urged upon me by the Commanding-General, the line of defence, the work upon which was prosecuted, agreeably to his order, day and night, and the necessity of watching with the utmost vigilance the movements of the heavy force of the enemy threatening my rear at Stephens' gap and Johnston's crook, demanded and received my constant and undivided attention. By personal inspection and reconnoissance, I familiarized myself with the character of the line entrusted to me, but had neither time nor occasion to acquaint myself with the dispositions made by the Lieutenant-General Commanding for the defence of the rest of the line; further than such information as I acquired by personal observation in visiting and adjusting the posts of my pickets and signal stations, at and near the point of the mountain, from which place, in favorable weather, both armies could be plainly discerned.
On the 23d of November, about 1 o'clock P. M., my attention was attracted by heavy firing in the valley below. I immediately proceeded to the point of the mountain, from which I could plainly see all the movements of the enemy. I watched them closely until dark, and then hurried off the following dispatch, by signal, both to Lieutenant-General Hardee and direct to General Bragg:
"I observed closely from the point the movements of the enemy until dark. Their object seemed to be to attract our attention. All the troops in sight were formed from centre to left. Those on their right moved to centre. The troops from 'Raccoon' were in line in full sight. If they intend to attack, my opinion is it will be upon our left. Both of their bridges are gone."
The movements of the enemy and his demonstration against our right, were such that, in my own mind, I had not the slightest doubt that his purpose was to attract our attention, induce us to concentrate on our right, thereby weakening our left, and thus render the acquisition of the "Craven House slope" practicable for him.
His manœuvre had the desired effect, for during that evening Walker's entire division was removed from its position to the extreme right, and the force west of Chattanooga creek thereby diminished more than one-third. After dark, I was informed by Lieutenant-General Hardee, that he had been ordered to the extreme right, and I was directed to assume command of the troops west of Chattanooga creek. To fill, as far as possible, the vacancy caused by the removal of Walker's division, Jackson's brigade, of
