[214] Four divisions of the Army of the Cumberland, with the center two led by Major General Philip Sheridan and Brigadier General Thomas J. Wood, chased the Confederates out of the rifle-pits at the base and, against orders, continued the charge up the 45-degree slope and captured the Confederate entrenchments along the crest, forcing a hurried retreat.[215] The decisive battle gave the Union control of Tennessee and opened Georgia, the Confederate heartland, to Union invasion.[216] Grant was given an enormous thoroughbred horse, Cincinnati, by a thankful admirer in St. Louis.[217]
On March 2, 1864, Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general, giving him command of all Union Armies.[218] Grant's new rank had only previously been held by George Washington.[219] Grant arrived in Washington on March 8, and he was formally commissioned by Lincoln the next day at a Cabinet meeting.[220] Grant developed a good working relationship with Lincoln, who allowed Grant to devise his own strategy.[221] Grant established his headquarters with General George Meade's Army of the Potomac in Culpeper, north-west of Richmond, and met weekly with Lincoln and Stanton in Washington.