The Impulse of Victory

How Grant secured a Tennessee victory and a promotion Union soldiers in the Army of the Cumberland, who were trapped and facing starvation or surrender in the fall of 1863, saw the arrival of Major General Ulysses S. Grant in Tennessee as an impetus to reverse the tides of war. David A. Powells sophisticated strategic and operational analysis of Grants command decisions and actions shows how his determined leadership relieved the siege and shattered the enemy, resulting in the creation of a new strategic base of Union operations and Grants elevation to commander of all the Federal armies the following year. Powells detailed exploration of the Union Army of the Cumberlands six-week-long campaign for Chattanooga is complemented by his careful attention to the personal issues Grant faced at the time and his relationships with his superiors and subordinates. Though unfamiliar with the tactical situation, the army, and its officers, Grant delivered another resounding victory. His success, explains Powell, was due to his tactical flexibility, communication with his superiors, perseverance despite setbacks, and dogged determination to win the campaign. Through attention to postwar accounts, Powell reconciles the differences between what happened and the participants memories of the events. He focuses throughout on Grants controversial decisions, showing how they were made and their impact on the campaign. As Powell shows, Grants choices demonstrate how he managed to be a thoughtful, deliberate commander despite the fog of war.