CHAPTER XXXVI.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD.

Longstreet again considers Relief from Service--General Grant at Knoxville--Shoeless Soldiers leave Bloody Trails on Frozen Roads--A Confederate Advance--Affair at Dandridge--Federals retreat--Succession of Small Engagements--General Grant urges General Foster's Army to the Offensive--General Foster relieved--General Schofield in Command of Federals--General Grant's Orders--General Halleck's Estimate of East Tennessee as a Strategic Field--Affair of Cavalry--Advance towards Knoxville--Longstreet's Command called back to Defensive for Want of Cavalry 524