Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[448] were over, the bridge was begun, and, by ten o'clock, an excellent pontoon bridge was laid, thus securing the end of the desired road nearest the enemy's forces, and a shorter line than the rebels could have, by which to move reenforcements, if a battle became inevitable. Positions were taken, from which the troops could not have been driven except by vastly superior forces; and artillery was placed to command the roads leading, around Lookout mountain, to the enemy's camps in Chattanooga valley.

On the morning of the 26th, Hooker crossed the Tennessee, by the pontoon bridge at Bridgeport, with the greater part of the Eleventh corps, under Major-General Howard, and a portion of the Twelfth corps, under Brigadier-General Geary. He took up his line of march along the railroad, by way of Whitesides to Wauhatchie. The rebel pickets fell back as he advanced; and, marching along the western base of Raccoon mountain, he finally descended through a narrow gorge into Lookout valley, leaving troops to protect the passes along the route. As the column emerged into the valley, its advance was arrested by an irregular fire of musketry; but Hooker at once deployed his troops, and all opposition ceased, the enemy flying before him. The rebels now detected the movement, from their signal-stations on Lookout mountain, and threw shells into the column as it marched below. This, however, caused no serious interruption; and Hooker kept on down the valley. He met no further resistance; and at six o'clock, P. M., on the 28th, the command was halted for the night, and went into camp within a mile of Brown's ferry. Howard had the advance, and, as it was necessary to hold both the roads to Kelly's ferry, Geary