http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chattanooga.html?tab=facts
- Following the Union’s terrible loss at the Battle of Chickamauga, their victory at Chattanooga was crucial to the turning of the war
- General Ulysses S. Grant was given permission to take over the troops strategies
- “We will hold the town till we starve.” General Grant headed for Chattanooga to help the soldiers stuck without food there
- Many ploys caught the Confederates off guard, leading to their retreat from Chattanooga
- Paved the way in the South for Sherman’s infamous march through Savannah in the Spring
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-chattanooga
- Union soldiers: 56,400 / Confederate soldiers: 46,200
- IMPORTANT BATTLES:
- Battle of Lookout Mountain
- Battle Above the Clouds
- Battle of Missionary Ridge
- Cracker Line (bring food and supplies to trapped Union soldiers)
- Siege of Chattanooga
- Union casualties: 5,800 / Confederate casualties: 6,700
- Confederate soldier called the Battle of Chattanooga the “death knell of the Confederacy.”
- Confederate General Braxton Bragg cut off the Union’s access to food and supplies starving over hundreds of artillery horses and reducing soldiers to half rations
- However, tensions and unrest arose in the Confederate army after their victory at Chickamauga. Due to General Bragg’s lack of morale and failure to follow through with another victory, soldiers petitioned Confederate president Jefferson Davis to relieve Bragg of command (which he did not do.)
- Between General Grant’s, Thomas’, Hooker’s, and Sherman’s counter-attacks, the Confederate had no choice but to retreat.
- Because much of the battle was obscured from Union troops below by the heavy fog, it became known as the “Battle Above the Clouds” after the war.
- Following their loss at Battle of Chattanooga, Bragg resigned on November 29 and was replaced with General Joseph E. Johnston, who would encounter Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign.
http://www.aotc.net/Chattanooga.htm
- This battle was the turning point in the Civil War because it allowed Union forces to invade in the deep South and led to Union influences on the 1864 congressional and presidential elections.
- General Grant and Thomas did not cooperate well together. Apparently both felt uncertain and undermined each other’s war strategies.
http://www.nytimes.com/1863/11/15/news/the-battle-of-chattanooga.html
- Quotes a letter sent from Lieutenant Gunn following their victory at Chattanooga
- “Our battle flag was shot down five times during the fight. Two corporals of my company were shot down while carrying that glorious emblem of liberty. One of them was shot down three times before he would give it up. Every shot went through his body… He fell to the earth for every shot, but still rising to his feet, would wave the flag on high, and shout to his comrades to rally round it. He was the bravest man I ever saw. He lived but one short hour after he was shot… Our flag was literally shot to pieces.”
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwar/p/chattanooga.htm
- Even without orders, Union soldiers raced past the enemy line to confront the Confederate soldiers- Grant was initially livid but later supported the surprisingly victorious attack.
- General Bragg weakened his center defense in order to reinforce his strength against Hooker and Sherman’s side attacks. (Plan failed obviously.)
