William A. Crafts, Life of Ulysses S. Grant: His Boyhood, Campaigns, and Services, Military and Civil.

No battle of equal magnitude was ever fought more directly under the orders of the commanding general. Grant's plans were complete and well-digested, and his orders to his subordinates were clear and explicit, looking to one result, but providing for emergencies. Those orders were carried out with precision and alacrity by his able subordinates, not only because Grant was their superior officer, but because they had entire confidence in his ability. On the second, and decisive day of the battle, the general established his headquarters with Thomas, on Orchard Knoll, from which the rebels had been driven the preceding day. It was well to the front, and thus he had a full view of the whole field of operations, from Lookout Mountain on the right, down whose sides Hooker was driving the rebel left, to the extreme of Missionary Ridge on the left, where Sherman was making his vigorous assault on the strong and obstinately defended positions of the rebel right. In his front lay Thomas's army of the Cumberland, waiting for the important crisis when they should be allowed to join in the conflict, and avenge their defeat at Chickamauga.

Smoking his cigar, Grant quietly but keenly watched the tide of battle, waiting for Hooker to get into the designated position, when he might order the attack on the centre. Sherman was having a difficult task, for Bragg, regarding his right as the key to his position, or believing that to be the main attack of the Union army, concentrated heavy forces there. Seeing Sherman had paused, Grant ordered another division to his support. The movement was seen by the enemy, and it had the effect desired by Grant. A strong column