General Granger, as usual, was full of complaints at the treatment of his corps since I had left him with General Burnside, at Knoxville, the preceding November; and he stated to me personally that he had a leave of absence in his pocket, of which he intended to take advantage very soon.

About the end of March, therefore, the three army commanders and myself were together at Chattanooga.

We had nothing like a council of war, but conversed freely and frankly on all matters of interest then in progress or impending.

We all knew that, as soon as the spring was fairly open, we should have to move directly against our antagonist, General Jos.

E.Johnston, then securely intrenched at Dalton, thirty miles distant; and the purpose of our conference at the time was to ascertain our own resources, and to distribute to each part of the army its appropriate share of work.