CHAPTER XXXV.

CUT OFF FROM EAST AND WEST.

Impracticability of joining General Bragg--Wintering in East Tennessee--General Longstreet given Discretionary Authority over the Department by President Davis--Short Rations--Minor Movements of Hide-and-Seek in the Mountains--Longstreet's Position was of Strategic Importance--That Fact fully appreciated by President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, and Generals Halleck and Grant--"Drive Longstreet out of East Tennessee and keep him out"--Generals Robertson and McLaws--The Charges against them and Action taken--Honorable Mention for Courage and Endurance--The Army finally fares sumptuously on the Fat Lands of the French Broad 509