Point Park Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga Battlefields

CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA National Military Park AND the Confederates. The Federal forces on Lookout and supplies and would open the way to an As a result of this timely aid, the siege of Mountain were ordered to advance across invasion of Georgia. Chattanooga failed. Nevertheless, the Confed­ Chattanooga Valley to attack the Confederate Maneuvering the Confederates out of middle erates still clung to their positions. Then, in left flank, but this movement advanced slowly. Point Park, Lookout Mountain Tennessee in the summer of 1863, Federal troops November, after additional Federal troops had Meanwhile, however, in order to relieve the crossed the south of Chatta­ arrived, the Northern Army assumed the the Confederates on their left. Moving along pressure on both flanks, other troops were nooga, and, on September 19-20, engaged the offensive. the slopes of Lookout Mountain from the thrown against the Confederate rifle pits at the and Chattanooga Battlefields The Battle of Chattanooga was a 3-day en­ western side, a Federal force gradually drove Confederate Army in a 2-day battle at Chicka- base of . In a rush these gagement, lasting from November 23 to 25. As back the few Confederate defenders. At Cravens' mauga Creek, in Georgia. While this battle Federal soldiers carried the rifle pits, and then planned by Federal officers, victory was to be Farm, however, they met stubborn resistance ended in a Confederate victory, the Federal in their enthusiasm, without waiting for further won by a flanking movement against the Con­ from an intrenched line of troops. Here the Army succeeded in retreating northward into orders, they charged up the mountain slopes, CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA federate right wing located on the north end of fighting was most serious, the Confederates the city of Chattanooga, which previously had broke the Confederate positions, and precipi­ Missionary Ridge. If this position were carried, finally being dislodged and forced to retreat to NATIONAL MILITARY PARK been abandoned by the Southern forces. tated a general retreat of the Confederate Army a new line 400 yards beyond. At this point the The Confederates now settled down to siege the Federal troops in the center were to join in into Georgia. Complete control of Chattanooga fighting ended, and, although the Confederates tactics, surrounded the Federal Army, and at­ an effort to sweep the Confederates from their and its approaches had at last been won by the tempted to force its surrender through starva­ base of supplies and communications and to had not yet been driven from the mountain, Federal Government. tion. By occupying Lookout Mountain and defeat them. The engagement, however, devel­ their position was endangered by the fact that Missionary Ridge and by establishing a line be­ oped much differently. While the main Federal a large number of Federal troops had reached tween the two heights, they cut off all but the Army was maneuvering into position, a demon­ the eastern side. Rather than risk being cut off The Park stration attack was made on a Confederate out­ from the main line of forces on Missionary most difficult route by which supplies could be Chickamauga and Chattanooga National post at Orchard Knob, about a mile in front of Ridge, the Confederates evacuated all troops brought into the city. Within a month the Military Park is composed of separate areas, the Missionary Ridge. This advance movement was from Lookout Mountain and the valley below. Federal Army in Chattanooga was in a desperate more important of which are: Chickamauga successfully carried out on November 23, but When Federal soldiers scaled the palisades the situation and was reduced to half rations. Ten Battlefield, in Georgia; Point Park and the it warned the Confederates of danger on their next morning, they found the mountain thousand horses and mules died and surrender Battlefield of Lookout Mountain, and Orchard right flank and prompted them to strengthen deserted. seemed inevitable, but Federal reinforcements, Knob, in Chattanooga; a chain of small reserva­ marching up the valley of the Tennessee River their positions. On the third day, the Federals resumed the tions located on Missionary Ridge; and Signal constitute the enduring strength of our democ­ The Battle of Chattanooga—a Union from Bridgeport, Ala., arrived in time to help On the next day, while their maneuvering attempt to gain a foothold on the north end of Point on Signal Mountain. The park contains racy. In speaking at the dedication of the park, a save the army. A new supply route from the force was still getting into position, the Federals Missionary Ridge, which they had previously approximately 8,190 acres of federally owned victory in November 1863 which se­ veteran of the battle said: "Here ... we and north was opened and was successfully defended. tried another demonstration, this time to divert failed to take, but all attacks were repulsed by land. cured that important railroad center they, the living and the dead, Confederate and and opened the way for the Atlanta Federal, fought for the right as each understood it, for the Constitution as each construed it, and Missionary Ridge front DeLong Reservation. Tennessee River from Point Park. Lookout Mountain. Campaign for the liberty as each interpreted it." HICKAMAUGA and Chattanooga Na­ tional Military Park, oldest and largest The Struggle C of the national military park areas, was established in commemoration of two battles for Chattanooga fought by the gallant soldiers of the North and Located at a gap in the mountains through of the South for control of Chattanooga, Tenn., which flows the navigable Tennessee River, great strategic center between the eastern and Chattanooga was an important railroad junction western sections of the Confederate States. Here, at the time of the Civil War and a key to the on both sides of the struggle, by the action of communications system of the Southern Con­ the thousands of men in the two armies, were federacy. The capture of this city by Union exemplified the typical American qualities of forces would be a severe blow to the South. It independence, courage, and self-sacrifice, which would check the east and west passage of men

Cover: View of Chattanooga and the winding Tennessee River from Point Park. Lookout Mountain. Point Park and sionary Ridge, there are a series of park areas locared at important points on the ridge. Access Lookout Mountain Battlefield to these areas is provided by the Crest Road Point Park Visitors are urged to go first to Point Park on which runs the entire length of the line occupied Lookout Mountain, where from the terrace of by the Confederates during the battle. Markers, the Adolph S. Ochs Observatory and Museum, monuments, tablets, and gun positions provide high above the winding Tennessee River, a com­ information for the visitor, and excellent views Lookout Mountain prehensive view of the Battlefield of Chatta­ of Chattanooga may be obtained along this nooga may be obtained. On the parapet are drive. The more imporranr units of the park on markers to identify the more important troop Missionary Ridge are: The Sherman Reserva­ positions, and maps are available to indicate the tion, where Sherman's forces unsuccessfully natural and historic features of interest. Further attacked the north end of the Confederate line; and Chattanooga assistance to the visitor is rendered by a the DeLong Reservation, site of one of the National Park Service attendant. breaks in the Confederate line; the Ohio Reser­ The observatory and museum bears the name vation, an area set aside to commemorate the of one of the park's major benefactors, the late participation of Ohio troops in the battles; and Battlefields Adolph S. Ochs, publisher of the Chattanooga the Bragg Reservation, where the Confederate Times and the New York Times. Mr. Ochs was commander had his headquarters. a leader in the movement that resulted in es­ tablishing Chickamauga and Chattanooga Na­ Orchard Knob tional Military Park, in 1890, and was respon­ sible for the acquisition of considerable land on This unit of the park is located near McCallie Lookout Mountain for inclusion in the park. Avenue (U. S. Nos. 11 and 64), in Chattanooga, From Lookout Point interesting foot trails, and marks the site where the first action of the extending along eastern and western flanks of Battle of Chattanooga took place. Orchard the mountain, reveal unusual rock formations Knob became General Grant's headquarters typical of the area and provide ever-changing during the remainder of the battle. and beautiful vistas of the countryside below. How TO REACH POINT PARK.—Point Park is reached from Chattanooga by United States Adminisrration Highways Nos. 41, 64, and 11, which combine as they leave the city and skirt the base of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Lookout Mountain, turning off on the Scenic Military Park is a part of the National Park Highway, which leads up the mountain to the System owned by the people of the United park entrance. One may also visit the park by States and administered for them by the Na­ means of the St. Elmo busses from Chartanooga, tional Park Service of the United States Depart­ ment of the Interior. At park headquarters on which connect with the Lookout Mountain the Chickamauga Battlefield a museum, refer­ Incline Railway at the foot of the mountain. ence library, and free information are provided. The top of the incline is within short walking Organizations and groups are given special distance of the Point Park entrance. service if arrangements are made in advance UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR with the superintendent. All communications Douglas McKay, Secretary Missionary Ridge should be addressed to the Superintendent, National Park Service, Conrad L. Wirth, Director Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Mili­ To commemorate the engagement on Mis­ tary Park, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1953 O-F — 247273 REPRINT 1953 National Military Park GEORGIA AND TENNESSEE