Mr. Boring,

I believe that Cleburne's suggestion was post-Missionary Ridge. The petition was dated around 02 January 1864. Craig L. Symond's book "Stonewall of the West: Patrick Cleburne & the Civil War" has a chapter dedicated to the dicussion.

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXI/2 [S# 55]
NOVEMBER 23-27, 1863.--The Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign.
No. 248.--Reports of Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne,. C. S. Army, commanding division, etc., with thanks of the Confederate Congress.

Col. GEORGE WILLIAM BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of Tennessee.
-----
No. 16.--JOINT RESOLUTION of thanks to Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, and the officers and men under his command, for distinguished service at Ringgold Gap, in the State of Georgia, November 27, 1863.
Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered, to Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, and the officers and men under his command, for the victory obtained by them over superior forces of the enemy at Ringgold Gap, in the State of Georgia, on the 27th day of November, 1863, by which the advance of the enemy was impeded, our wagon train and most of our artillery saved, and a large number of the enemy killed and wounded.
Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate the foregoing resolution to Major-General Cleburne and his command.
Approved February 9, 1864.

The letter did not arrive on the President's desk until the week of 23 January 1864 and it was kept close hold among a very few people. It was not debated in Congress. It was kept secret and all but one of the letters were destroyed. It was not until 25 years after the war did the sole surviving copy of the letter surfaced.

I hope this provides clarity.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment
http://39thgavolinfrgt.homestead.com/39thHomepage.html