November 23-25, 1863 (Brinkley, 363) Chattanooga, Tennessee
Union Commander: Ulysses S. Grant (brinkley, 363)
Objectives: After losing the Battle of Chickamagua in Georgia, Grant was ordered by President Lincoln to take over the troops and replace General Rosencrans (who had previously been in command and was planning on surrendering) with General George Thomas (civilwar.org). After having been cut off from supplies, Grant refused to let the Confederates gain control of the city and said that the soldiers would "hold the town until we starve" (civilwar.org). "He opened the 'Cracker Line' to bring supplies inside the city" (civilwar.org).
political consequences and importance
"In the Battle of Chattanooga, the reinforced Union army drove the Confederates back into Georgia. Union forces had now achieved a second important objective: control of the Tennessee River" (Brinkley, 363). Because the Union victory took place in such deep southern territory, it gave them more opportunities to invade the deep south, including the crucial capture of Atlanta (aotc.net). Politically, this victory reassured Northern support for Lincoln in his reelection in 1864 (aotc.net).
Objectives: After winning the Battle of Chickamagua, Bragg followed the Union army to Chattanooga in hopes of cutting of their supplies and laying a siege on the city (civilwar.org). They were able to monitor the troops by establishing lookouts on Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain (history.com).
Battle summary and victor
Day 1: After discovering that Bragg was withdrawing some troops from Missionary Ridge to reinforce the army at Knoxville, Grant sends 14,000 troops to fight just 600 Confederate soldiers who were already overrun at Orchard Knob (civilwar.org).
Day 2: The Confederates were attacked at Lookout Mountain by Union General Joseph Hooker, who had 3 divisions under his command- John W. Geary, Charles Cruft, and Peter J. Osterhaus (civilwar.org). Confederate General John C. Moore counterattacked later than night. Having been still outnumbered, Bragg decided to retreat from the mountain and reinforce the troops on Missionary Ridge (civilwar.org).
Day 3: Confederate General Sherman attacks the Union fort on Tunnel Hill, but then Union General Hooker launches a 3 way attack on the Confederates on Missionary Ridge, who are then forced to surrender (civilwar.org). Grant orders Thomas to send out 24,000 soldiers against 9,000 Confederate soldiers, which secures the Union victory (civilwar.org).
Victor- The Union
Bibliography Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print. "Battle of Chattanooga." History.com. A+E Networks, 2009. Web. 18 Jan. 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-chattanooga>. "The Battle of Chattanooga." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016. <http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chattanooga.html?tab=facts%3Freferrer>. Redman, Bob. "The Battles for Chattanooga 23, 24, and 25 Nov. 1863."AOTC.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016. <http://www.aotc.net/Chattanooga.htm>.