The Fight For Tennessee: July 1863 to January 1864Siege of Knoxville |
Who was defending Knoxville? |
Ambrose Burnside had experienced more than his share of defeats and humiliations. Once he took Knoxville in the late summer of 1863, he was determined to hold it. Knowing that Longstreet’s corps was on the way to attack him, Burnside—who was a much better defensive than offensive fighter—shored up the defenses of the city.

General Ambrose Burnside was in charge of defending Knoxville, Tennessee, from the Federals.