“Fifth. The men should be urged to the work with a determination to succeed, and should rush to it without hallooing.
“Sixth. The sharp-shooters to keep up a continuous fire into the embrasures of the enemy’s works and along the fort, so as to prevent the use of the cannon, and distract, if not prevent, the fire of all arms.”
General B. R. Johnson was in time to follow the main attack by General McLaws with his own and Gracie’s brigades (two thousand six hundred and twenty-five effectives).
The order was given for the 28th, but the weather became so heavy and murky as to hide the fort from view of our artillery, so operations were put off until the 29th.
On the 28th reports were brought of an advance of Union troops from the direction of Cumberland Gap. The cavalry under General W. E. Jones was sent to arrest their march pending operations ordered for the 29th, and he was authorized to call the artillery and infantry marching from Virginia to his assistance if the force proved formidable.
After arranging his command, General McLaws wrote me as follows:
“Head-quarters Division,
“November 28, 1863.
“General,—It seems to be a conceded fact that there has been a serious engagement between General Bragg’s forces and those of the enemy; with what result is not known so far as I have heard. General Bragg may have maintained his position, may have repulsed the enemy, or may have been driven back. If the enemy has been beaten at Chattanooga, do we not gain by delay at this point? If we have been defeated at Chattanooga, do we not risk our entire force by an assault here? If we have been defeated at Chattanooga, our communications must be made with Virginia. We cannot combine again with General Bragg, even if we should be successful in our assault on Knoxville. If we should be defeated or unsuccessful here, and at the same time General Bragg should have been forced to retire, would we be in condition to force our way to the army in Virginia? I present these considerations, and with the force they have on my mind I beg leave to say that I think we had better delay the assault until we hear the result of the battle of Chattanooga. The enemy may have cut our communication to prevent this army reinforcing General Bragg, as well as for the opposite reason,—viz., to prevent General Bragg from reinforcing us, and the attack at Chattanooga favors the first proposition.[190]
“Very respectfully,
“L. McLaws,
“Major-General.”
In reply I wrote,—