After Longstreet’s movements began, the Washington authorities were still more solicitous for the safety of the United States army at Knoxville, and were importunate by telegraph with Grant to “do something” to succor it. He was disposed to do all he could for that purpose. On November 7th, he ordered Gen. Thomas to make “an attack on the northern end of Missionary Ridge with all the force” he could “bring to bear upon it, and when that is carried, to threaten and even attack, if possible, the enemy’s line of communication between Dalton and Cleveland.” This was with a view to “force the return of the (Longstreet’s) troops that had gone up the valley.” But Thomas with his chief engineer, William Farrar Smith, and chief of artillery, Brannan, looked carefully over the ground, on which the proposed attack would have to be made. They became convinced that it was not feasible, and Smith so reported to Grant at once, and the order was countermanded. In his official report Grant says: “After a thorough reconnoisance of the ground, it was deemed utterly impracticable to make the move until Sherman could get up.... I was forced to leave Burnside for the present to contend against superior forces of the enemy.” Longstreet on November 13th was still at Loudon, which he could reach by railroad. Grant thought that probably he tarried so long at the latter place in obedience to orders, the point being eligible for the reason, that if necessary, he could speedily return to the support of Bragg, or otherwise proceed to Knoxville, 29 miles distant, by the common highway. His presence at Loudon was definitely known at the last named date.