During the afternoon the clouds, which had so obscured the top of Lookout all day as to hide whatever was going on from the view of those below, settled down and made it so dark where Hooker was as to stop operations for the time.

At four o'clock Hooker reported his position as impregnable.

By a little after five direct communication was established, and a brigade of troops was sent from Chattanooga to reinforce him.

These troops had to cross Chattanooga Creek and met with some opposition, but soon overcame it, and by night the commander, General Carlin, reported to Hooker and was assigned to his left.

I now telegraphed to Washington: "The fight to-day progressed favorably.