Grant, Ulysses S., as Union General

Autograph letter signed ("U. S. Grant Maj. Gen. Comdg."), 1 1/4 pages (10 x 8 in.; 255 x 203 mm) on a sheet of blue-ruled paper (watermarked carew co), "Head Quarters, Mil. Div. of the Miss.," Chattanooga, Tennessee, 24 November 1863, to Major General George H. Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland; some fold separations, a few repaired.

The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, ed. Simon, 9:443 (printing a slightly corrupted text taken from Doris H. Hamilton, "Letters of U. S. Grant," in Hobbies: The Magazine for Collectors 62:2

The Battle Above the Clouds: Grant lays out his strategy for Lookout Mountain, one of the final engagements of the Chattanooga Campaign.

"General Sherman carried Missionary Ridge as far as the Tunnel with only slight skirmishing. His right now rests at the Tunnel and on top of the hill; his left at Chickamauga Creek. I have instructed Gen. Sherman to advance as soon as it is light in the morning and your attack, which will be simultaneous, will be in co-operation. Your command will either carry the rifle pits and ridge directly in front of them or move to the left as the presence of the enemy may require.

"If Hooker's present position in the mountain can be maintained, with a small force, and it is found impracticable to carry the top from where he is, it would be advisable for him to move up the valley with all the force he can spare, and ascend by the first practicable road."