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| Chattanooga 1863 (hctg.org) |
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Trenton, Ga., September 9, 1863-9.30 a.m.
Major-General STANLEY,
Chief of Cavalry:
A dispatch from General Wagner of 8.30 p.m. yesterday was received this morning, stating that the rebels evacuated Chattanooga yesterday, and he would occupy it this morning. One of our scouts reports that the mass of the rebel force was yesterday at the northern spur of Missionary Ridge, 6 miles from Chattanooga. A vigorous pursuit has been ordered by the whole army. General Crittenden is moving into Chattanooga this morning to commence the pursuit. General Thomas moves on La Fayette, and General McCook has been ordered to move an Alpine and Summerville with his whole force. The general commanding has strong hopes that we may be able to inflict very serious injury upon the rebel army.
In view of the uncertainty of the enemy's route the general commanding leaves your operations to your own discretion, with the general direction to cover our extreme right flank and move upon Rome or such other point as shall do the enemy most serious harm. If their retreat can once be turned into a rout, your command can do them immense injury. General McCook has been directed to see to the protection and forwarding of your train in case you have left no arrangement to that effect. Minty is ordered to cross at Chattanooga and will accompany General Crittenden in the pursuit and will join you in a few days.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. GARFIELD,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.
Official Records, Series I., Vol.
What Rosecrans, and Garfield his chief-of-staff, did not realize was Bragg was not routed, but was moving to gain room for offensive action. Also not known, but speculated upon, was the fact Longstreet's 1st Corp was on its way to link up with Bragg.
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