ive some ground for such apprehensions.

CONDITION OF THE TROOPS AT KNOXVILLE

The miserable condition of our troops, the season of the year, the
almost total lack of means of transportation for supplies and of
a pontoon bridge to cross the river, rendered any considerable
movement on our part impossible. But to relieve the existing
apprehension, I determined to assume the offensive at once, and to
maintain it as far as possible.

Early in February General Grant had proposed to give me 10,000
additional troops from General Thomas's army at Chattanooga, and
to let me begin the campaign against Longstreet at once. But on
February 16 he informed me that the movement would have to be
delayed because of some operations in which General Thomas was to
engage. Nevertheless, I advanced on the 24th with what force I
had, at the same time sending a reconnaissance south of the French
Broad River to ascertain the nature of a hostile movement reported
in that direction.

Upon our advance, Longstreet's troops withdrew across the Holston
and French Broad and retreated toward Morristown. His advance had
evidently been intended only to cover an attempted cavalry raid
upon our rear, which the high water in the Little Tennessee rendered
impracticable.

We now occupied Strawberry Plains, rebuilt the railroad bridge,
pushed forward the construction of a bateau bridge which had been
commenced, in the meantime using the bateaux already constructed
to ferry the troops across the river. In this manner we were able
to advance as far as Morristown by February 29 with sufficient
force to reconnoiter Longstreet's position. This reconnaissance
demonstrated that the enemy held Bull's Gap, and that his entire
force was grouped about that strong position. The object of this
movement having been accomplished without loss, our troops retired
to New Market to await the arrival of the troops to be sent by
General Thomas, the completion of the railroad bridge, and other
necessary preparations for the expected campaign.

On March 12 another reconnaissance was made as far as Bull's Gap,
which was found to be still occupied by the enemy, although reliable
information indicated that Longstreet was preparing for, and had
perhaps already begun, his movement toward Virginia. Although his
force, if concentrated, was much superior to mine, I determined to
endeavor to take advantage of his movement to attack his r