THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGNS. 155 



lahoma, Bragg had posted bodies of troops for the double purpose of 

 defense and of threatening the union base at Murfreesboro. Bragg 

 believed that he had sufficient men in this vicinity to guard the narrow 

 defiles through which most of the roads ran. 



Without going into detailed accounts of movements of troops, Rose- 

 crans's plan may be briefly stated. Realizing the strength of Bragg's 

 left at Shelbvville, the union general resolved to attempt what his 

 opponent evidently considered well-nigh impossible — to get his forces 

 on Bragg's right in such a position as to threaten the latter 's line of 

 communication and compel him to evacuate his strong position. 



The Tennessee breaking by a Steep Gorge through the 'Mountains.' Owing to the 

 swift current it is there called the ' Suck.' 



A strong union force with several days' rations in wagons and on 

 hoof was detached for this movement. A vigorous attack on Bragg's 

 left partly concealed the plan of Bosecrans and prevented him from 

 sending reinforcements from here. The movement was successful and 

 the defiles or 'gaps' were secured by which the troops could pass to the 

 level of the plateau on which Tullahoma was situated. The confed- 

 erate general, not waiting for his line of supplies to be destroyed, retired 

 to the Tennessee, burning the bridges and destroying the railroad as 

 he went. A pursuit was attempted which was entirely ineffectual. 

 The passage of the confederate army had left the roads almost impass- 

 able and their rear guard had little trouble in defending the defiles 

 through which their columns had passed. Bragg crossed the Tennessee 

 and leisurely led his army into Chattanooga. 



