Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park U.S. Department of the Interior Chickamauga and Chattanooga /

Chickamauga Chattanooga It seemed as though a terrible cyclone was sweeping over the earth, Still they advance, and still we shoot them down, and still they come. driving everything before it. Col. Benjamin Scribner, 38th Indiana Infantry, USA Capt. Samuel T. Foster, 24th Texas Cavalry (Dismounted), CSA

Union soldiers fire from Horseshoe Ridge during the Battle of Chickamauga. FROM THE PAINTING TO THE LAST ROUND: THE 21ST AT HORSESHOE RIDGE © KEITH ROCCO / TRADITION STUDIOS Confederate soldiers defend their position on Missionary Ridge. FROM THE PAINTING ON EMPTY RIFLES © RICK REEVES The Campaign for Chattanooga: Death Knell of the Confederacy? President believed that taking In the summer of 1863, Confederate Gen. Braxton Rosecrans thought the Confederates were retreating Chattanooga was as important as taking Richmond. Bragg and his controlled Chatta- toward Atlanta, prompting him and his army to pur- Why was a small town of 2,500 as important as the nooga. But Union Gen. William Rosecrans skillfully sue the gray-clad soldiers into Georgia. However, capital of the Confederacy? The small city lay on the moved his south, across the Confederates had a surprise of their own. Bragg, banks of the Tennessee River where it cut through the Tennessee River and over Sand Mountain and now heavily reinforced, was not going to give up the Appalachian Mountains, allowing four major , threatening the Confederates Chattanooga without a fight. At the Battle of Chicka- railroads to converge (see map at right). If the Union from behind. By early September, Bragg realized he mauga, little went as planned and thousands of men captured Chattanooga, it could cripple Confederate had been outmaneuvered. The Confederate Army lost their lives. Yet, it would be late November before supply lines and strike at the industrial heart of the had no choice but to abandon the city and its the city’s fate would be decided—and perhaps that Confederacy. remaining residents. of the Confederacy.

Gaining Control of the South 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 Western Theater Armies in the western theater Confederates violate Confederates move to Union captures Fort Union victories, Shiloh Union captures Confederates rout Union Union defeats Confed- Union victories, Ken- Confederate Army of fought for control between the ’s neutrality. suppress Unionists in Donelson and Fort and Stones River, TN. Vicksburg, MS. at Chickamauga, GA and eracy at Chattanooga, nesaw Mountain and Tennessee surrenders Mississippi River and the Appa- October eastern Tennessee. Henry in Tennessee. April, December July begin siege of Chatta- opening way to Georgia. Atlanta, GA. in NC. April lachians. After Chattanooga, November February nooga, TN. Sept. 18–20 November 23–25 June, July the western theater expanded toward the eastern theater, Eastern Theater which centered around the Confederates bombard Confederate victory, Union victory, Confederate victory, Lincoln issues Emanci- Confederate victory, Union victory, Siege of Richmond and Confederate Army of Union and Confederate capitals. Fort Sumter, SC; war Battle of First Antietam, MD. Fredericksburg, VA. pation Proclamation. Chancellorsville, VA. Gettysburg, PA. Petersburg, VA; Lincoln Northern sur- begins. April Manassas, VA. July September December January May July re-elected. renders at Appomattox, June, November VA; Lincoln assassinated. April Battle of Chickamauga Battles for Chattanooga For thousands of Union and Confed- In late October, the Union uses dark- erate soldiers, their hopes hinge on ness to silently float past Confederates controlling Chattanooga—the “gate- on Lookout Mountain. Then, in a rare way” to the Confederacy. Yet, in mid- night battle near Wauhatchie, they September, they meet in the peaceful win control of Lookout Valley and farm fields of north Georgia, along a secure their new supply route, the tranquil creek named Chickamauga. “Cracker Line.” Chattanooga is still up for grabs. September 18 Surprise, confusion, and hard fighting November 23 replace the well-laid plans of General Thousands of Union soldiers march out Bragg, who hoped to block LaFayette of Chattanooga. Like a great blue wave, Road and cut the Union’s route to Chat- they crash around Confederate-held tanooga. As darkness falls, Bragg is still Orchard Knob, a small hill between the confident he can continue his plans and city and Missionary Ridge. The South- stop the in the morning. erners flee, providing General Grant a However, General Rosecrans moves his strategic view of his next goal, the ridge. troops north throughout the night, a During the night, Bragg reinforces his move that could turn the tide of battle. line on Missionary Ridge. September 19 September 20 Siege of the City Begins November 24 November 25 The War Continues Early in the morning, Union troops Fighting begins when Confederates Rosecrans’s army withdraws into Chat- The Union intends to take Missionary Confederates successfully defend both The rivers, rails, and roads of Chatta- stumble into Confederates, who they attack Union fortifications on the tanooga while Confederates occupy key Ridge but mistakenly assaults a hill to ends of Missionary Ridge. Grant orders nooga are firmly in Union hands. The presumed to be farther south. Both battlefield’s northern end. This forces ground surrounding the city, including the north. They discover their mistake an attack against entrenchments cen- city is transformed into a supply and sides exchange fire all morning, leaving Rosecrans to shift troops, accidentally Lookout Mountain and Missionary too late to attack the ridge that day. tered at the base of the ridge. Finding communications base for Gen. William fields and woods littered with dead and creating a gap in the center of his line. Ridge. The stage is set to starve the Their diversionary tactic—attacking little resistance there, and without or- T. Sherman’s 1864 , wounded soldiers. The fighting spreads By chance, Confederates swarm Union Army into submission. They fog-enshrouded Lookout Mountain— ders, the recently defeated Army of the which will begin in the spring. southwest, yet neither side has gained a through, sweeping away Rosecrans. and the remaining residents endure a becomes the famous “Battle Above the Cumberland continues charging up the Disheartened Confederates wonder: clear advantage. During the night, Con- Retreating Union soldiers make a hungry month before General Ulysses Clouds” that sweeps the Confederates rocky slopes and forces Bragg’s army Is the fall of Chattanooga truly “the federate reinforcements arrive, while heroic stand on Horseshoe Ridge, but S. Grant and reinforcements arrive to off the mountain and toward Mission- from the summit. Confederate troops death knell of the Confederacy”? Union troops fortify their positions. only darkness saves their army. help open a supply line into the city. ary Ridge. retreat south into Georgia. The Soldiers The Generals Young men opposing one another across The campaign resulted in the fall of the battle lines fought for different reasons. two commanders and the rise of Many from the North fought to preserve another. Although Confederate the Union or abolish slavery, while those Gen. (near right) from the South struggled to retain slavery won at Chickamauga, he lost Chat- or defend their homes and families. These tanooga and had to resign. After convictions brought these soldiers here, abandoning his troops at Chicka- where confusion and chaos reigned in the mauga, Union Gen. William Rosecrans mountains and forests surrounding the ABOVE–LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (center) was removed from command. BELOW–THE CARTER HOUSE battlefields. Often, soldiers reacted to the When Gen. Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Chat- sights and sounds unfolding around them tanooga, he took command of Union forces ABOVE LEFT–CONFEDERATE MEMORI- AL HALL MUSEUM; ABOVE RIGHT– rather than following orders. When veter- and replaced Rosecrans with Gen. George LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / BRADY- COURTESY CHARLES DARDEN HANDY COLLECTION ans later “suitably marked” the battle- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / ROYAN LINN Thomas, whose men had gallantly held grounds, they decided not to place monu- Horseshoe Ridge at Chickamauga. Grant is ments to generals. Instead, they honored shown facing his staff on Roper’s Rock atop the soldiers, whose actions decided the Lookout Mountain (far right) shortly after battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. the battles for Chattanooga. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / ROYAN LINN Rural Southern Farms Change in Chattanooga Soldiering to Freedom Taken from the Cherokee Nation in 1838, War transformed Chattanooga from a small Union-held Chattanooga became a beacon the rich lands alongside town to a bustling, industrial city. During of freedom for people escaping slavery. became home to 24 families. They cleared the siege, residents saw stately homes be- Camp Contraband, so named because the woods to grow crops of corn or wheat come hospitals, while local forests provided escaped slaves were considered “contra- and planted rows of fruit trees. As battle lumber for warehouses and forts. After the band” or illegal property, protected more loomed, the families fled before their farm battles, they could see the ruins of the than 2,000 people. fields became killing fields. Once the fight- “white house” on Lookout Mountain, ing subsided, they returned to trampled owned by local resident and iron master In 1863, the US Army began recruiting for- crops and fields littered with dead. Some Robert Cravens. But they also started to see mer slaves. Hubbard Pryor (left), escaped repaired the damage and resumed farming, Union soldiers making improvements like slavery in Georgia to don the blue uniform while others were forced to abandon their bridging the Tennessee River, building a of the Union Army at Camp Contraband homes. Several of the families—Brotherton, waterworks, and expanding the thriving (right). By war’s end, Pryor and over 20,000 Kelly, and Snodgrass—are immortalized railroad industry. Much like the city, Cravens free men and former slaves had joined the today on the battlefield. rebuilt and prospered. Colored Troops.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES / NATIONAL ARCHIVES BOTH–NATIONAL ARCHIVES Exploring Chickamauga and Chattanooga

Planning Your Visit Lookout Mountain Emergencies call 911 Atop this mountain, discover details about Orchard Knob In 1890, the US Congress authorized the siege of Chattanooga and the battles More Information Chickamauga and Chattanooga National for control of the city. View exhibits and Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park, the first such park in the the historic 13- by 30-foot James Walker National Military Park United States. It was dedicated in 1895 painting, The Battle of Lookout Mountain. PO Box 2128 and has since served as a model for most Point Park (described at far left) has bat- Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 national military and historical parks. tery positions, monuments, exhibits, trails, 706-866-9241 and views. www.nps.gov/chch The park has two visitor centers open daily Point Park except December 25 and January 1. Accessibility We strive to make our facili- For GPS or mapping programs, use this ties, services, and programs accessible to address: 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Chickamauga Battlefield all. For information go to a visitor center, Oglethorpe, GA 30742. Do not send mail

Explore events of September 1863 at this ask a ranger, call, or check the park web- here. NPS visitor center. View exhibits and a film site. At the time of the Civil War, Orchard Knob about the battles; see a large collection This is one of over 400 parks in the Nation- was outside city limits. It offers clear views of of military weapons. Take the self-guiding Safety and Regulations Do not climb al Park System. To learn more about na- Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and auto tour described below. cannons and monuments. • Federal laws tional parks and National Park Service Chattanooga—exactly what Union General protect all cultural and natural features. programs in America’s communities, visit Grant needed to guide his troops during the • Do not dig or use metal detectors. • Do www.nps.gov. battles for Chattanooga. not collect any objects. • Report suspicious ✩GPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx Last updated 20xx activity to a park ranger. • See the park Printed on recycled paper. website for other regulations. Moccasin Bend NPS Seen here from Lookout Mountain, Mocca- sin Bend tells stories spanning over 12,000 years. During the siege of Chattanooga, Union troops opened a supply route across the bend, out of reach of Confederate artil- lery on Lookout Mountain.

Some Union and Confederate leaders were here in 1838 when the US Army forced the Point Park is across from the visitor sin Bend. 5 During the Battle of area’s Cherokees to move to Indian Territory center; fee. 1 Point Park Gate was Lookout Mountain, Van Den Cor- (Oklahoma). At least two groups of Chero- built by the US Army Corps of Engi- put’s Battery attempted to fire on kees traversed the bend and crossed the neers and is a replica of the Corps Union soldiers advancing on the river at Brown’s Ferry, leaving almost every- insignia. 2 Artillery marks a small slopes below. From here, you can thing behind on their Trail of Tears. This part of the Confederate battery walk down to Ochs Memorial Ob- removal was the final blow to tribes who during the siege. 3 New York servatory via tiers of steps. 6 Visit first encountered the Spanish here three Peace Monument symbolizes reuni- the observatory’s museum to learn centuries before. fication and reconciliation. Even its more about the Civil War and Amer- materials, Tennessee marble and ican Indians. Enjoy spectacular views Today Moccasin Bend is a National Archeo- Massachusetts pink granite, carry of the Chattanooga area from the logical District. It has a three-mile loop trail; the theme. 4 From Garrity’s Bat- terrace. You can continue on trails other visitor services are planned. tery, Confederates tried to stop to other scenic views on Lookout Union troops from crossing Mocca- Mountain. Missionary Ridge NPS

This steep ridge stretches from Chattanooga to Chickamauga. North and South Crest roads follow the ridge to seven military reservations (parcels of land set aside to commemorate the battle) and the Phelps Monument. High- lights include:

Bragg Reservation The Illinois Monument (above) honors Union troops from that state who participated in the Battle of Missionary Ridge. From his head- quarters, located here, Confederate General Bragg attempted to rally his demoralized troops. Instead, they fled the ridge and re- treated to Georgia.

Sherman Reservation This reservation marks the site where Confed- erate Gen. Patrick Cleburne successfully halt- ed Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s assaults on Missionary Ridge. This action forced Union officers to send troops toward the Confeder- ate entrenchments at the center and base of the ridge.

Touring Chickamauga Battlefield

Throughout the tour, you will 3 Mix-up in Union Command federates. The ”Lightning see monuments and memorials As officers called for troops to Brigade” had the only Union honoring those who fought strengthen the left end of the success on this part of the field. here. You may also notice tab- Union line, Rosecrans ordered a lets, blue for Union and red for division to shift out of its posi- 7 Rout of the Union Right Confederate, that describe the tion. Unknowingly, his command Confederate soldiers swept out soldiers’ actions; they date from created a fatal gap in the line. of the woods and into the fields around 1890. You can reach the in what one commander called major points of interest on the 4 Confederate Breakthrough “a scene of unsurpassed gran- seven-mile auto tour. Hear more Before troops could fill the gap deur.” This attack collapsed the details on your cell phone, 585- in the Union line, the yells of Union right, forcing the defend- 672-2619; follow the prompts. thousands of Confederates ers, including Rosecrans, to flee. Most stops follow the battle’s pierced the air as they poured final day, September 20. across LaFayette Road and 8 Horseshoe Ridge and through the gap. The break- Snodgrass Hill Union soldiers Climb the Wilder Brigade Monument (above right, 1 Breckinridge’s Assault through split the Union Army. held the ridge throughout the open seasonally) for a view of the battlefield. The 8th Wisconsin Battery Monument stands next to it. Confederates commanded by afternoon, repulsing repeated Confederates swarmed past the Brotherton cabin former US Vice President John 5 Viniard Field Step back one Confederate assaults. As dark- (below) as they broke through Union defenses. C. Breckinridge assaulted and day to September 19. Thousands ness fell, one final assault re- BOTH–NPS briefly penetrated the Union of soldiers, one division at a vealed the remaining Union line in this area before turning time, fought back and forth troops had slipped away to their attack southward. across this field trying to gain Chattanooga. After three days control of LaFayette Road. of fighting, the Confederate 2 The Battle Line The line of When sunset came, neither side Army of Tennessee was Union monuments extending held the road, yet thousands victorious. the length of Battleline Road had paid the ultimate sacrifice. mark where Union troops con- structed crude breastworks 6 Lightning Strikes Union Col. during the early morning hours. John T. Wilder’s brigade of Secure in their positions, they mounted infantry, armed with Follow these signs successfully halted repeated Spencer repeating rifles, halted for the Chickamauga Battlefield Tour Confederate assaults. a portion of the attacking Con- TOUR