If he should capture Chattanooga, Knoxville with its garrison would have fallen into his hands without a struggle.

I have never been able to see the wisdom of this move.
Then, too, after Sherman had arrived, and when Bragg knew that he was on the north side of the Tennessee River, he sent Buckner's division to reinforce Longstreet.

He also started another division a day later, but our attack having commenced before it reached Knoxville Bragg ordered it back.

It had got so far, however, that it could not return to Chattanooga in time to be of service there.

It is possible this latter blunder may have been made by Bragg having become confused as to what was going on on our side.