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were entirely free from rebels, andobviously, if the wagon-road through the gorgecould be secured, it would make an excellent lineof communications. Supplies to any amount couldbe brought up the river in steamboats to Kelly’sFerry, and from that point hauled in wagonsthrough the gorge to Brown’s Ferry, and thenceacross the neck of the peninsula to Chattanooga ,twice crossing the river by pontoon bridges. Bythis route the distance to be traversed by wagonswas only eight miles. In order to get possessionof this route it was necessary to secure the narrowrange of hills and place a strong force in Lookoutvalley. Such a scheme needed such an auxiliaryforce as Hooker’s to carry it into operation. Nowunder General Smith’s personal supervision itwas executed with complete success. Although astaff-officer, he was entrusted with the requisitecommand over troops to make the enterprise com-pletely his own; a point in which Thomas andGrant showed true wisdom.
In order to secure the narrow range of hillsprofound secrecy was required, for if the Confed erates were to divine the scheme and occupy thehills in force, they could not be dislodged withouta desperate and doubtful fight. The north end ofLookout valley was occupied by a Confederate brigade, which could be reinforced to any extent