Upon arriving in Chattanooga, Grant’s first move was to open a more reliable supply line dubbed “The Cracker Line”.
Regarding the Cracker Line, shortly after arriving in Chattanooga, General Grant was approached by Cumberland Army Chief Engineer, Brig. General William “Baldy” Smith, devised a plan to open a reliable supply line to the besieged armies of the Cumberland Army. The plan was to capture the Brown Ferry across the Tennessee River at Moccasin Point, a site easily accessible to Confederate supply boats. After taking this position, the Cumberland Army was able to connect with upcoming divisions under General Joseph Hooker. On October 27, Union forces easily captured Brown's Ferry, quickly repelling a counterattack from 15 Alabama. Federal supplies began arriving for the starving Cumberland Army shortly thereafter.
The Cracker Line is a Union supply line that was opened by the Army of the Cumberland and elements of the Army of the Potomac on Oct. 27-29, 1863. Fighting took place at Brown's Ferry, Tindale's Hill, Smith's Hill, and Wauhatchie Junction. After this line was opened, supplies flowed from the Union supply depot at Bridgeport, Alabama by wagon road and the Tennessee River to Chattanooga. Cracker Line crossed Tennessee twice on Union Pontoon Bridges – at Brown’s Ferry and at Chattanooga. Hooker's army marched through the Lookout Valley and linked up with Hazen and Turchin at Brown's Ferry on October 28. Thomas' staff began preparing to bring supplies across the Cracker Line and he telephoned. informed Commander-in-Chief Henry W. Halleck that he expected in a few days to be fairly well supplied. As can be seen, the Cracker Line is one of the facts about the battle of Chattanooga.
