Grant builds his plan around Sherman

After Wauhatchie, Grant allowed time for Sherman to arrive and directed Thomas and Smith to prepare an assault. Washington pressed him to respond to Longstreet's advance on Burnside at Knoxville, but Grant refused to launch before he was ready. He wanted Sherman to inspect the plan before approving it and intended Sherman's move against the Confederate right to anchor the operation. Grant concentrated the main effort rather than trying to sustain several equally ambitious attacks. Sherman understood Grant's intentions well enough to handle the flank, leaving Grant free to supervise the less familiar commands.