CHATTANOOGA, BATTLE OF. As a dramatic climax to the conffict around Chattanooga, Tenn., occurred the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863. It was one of the most im portant Union victories of the Civil War, since it opened the way for Sherman's campaign into Georgia and his famous "march to the sea." After their disastrous defeat at Chickamauga (Sept.
19-20, 1863—see Thomas, Gen. George H.) the Federal troops under Rosecrans had withdrawn to Chattanooga, determined to hold that place at all costs. General Thomas had been appointed to the command in place of the discredited Rosecrans, and Generals Grant and Sherman had hurried to his aid.
In the conffict which followed, these three great gen erals of the North fought side by side.
When the conffict began the Union commanders had 56,000 men to 46,000 Confederates. But the inequality of numbers was balanced by the better positions held by the latter, for they were entrenched on the heights of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and held the valley between the two. These ridges approach to within a few miles of Chattanooga on the south and extend into northwestern Georgia.
To capture the Confederate positions the Union troops had to scale the heights in the face of a murderous fire.
On the day set for the attack on Lookout Mountain the weather aided the North. Low-lying mists filled the valley and hid from sight the Union troops until they had almost reached the summit. Then in a battle romantically known as " the Battle above the Clouds" they drove the Confederates from their posi tions and won the day. General Bragg, the Confed erate commander, withdrew his troops to Missionary Ridge. On the next day, the attack was made on the latter position. Sherman's men made the first assault on the northern base. Desperate fighting ensued, the Confederate lines being stubbornly held against Sher man's repeated attacks. In the afternoon General Grant ordered Hooker's men to assist by capturing the rifle-pits at the western base of the ridge. This proved an easy task. Without waiting for further orders, the men then rushed up the slope and drove the Confederates from the height.
The day was won. Chattanooga was saved and the Confederates were driven out of Tennessee. The news of this great victory reached the North on the last Thursday in November, making possible the first real Thanksgiving since the outbreak of the war.
The city of Chattanooga, which had a population of between 2,000 and 3,000 at the time of the Civil War, is today one of the leading industrial and commercial cities of Tennessee. The many lines of railroad which radiate from it and the nearby deposits of coal and iron and vast potential water-power resources give it a great and growing importance in manufacturing. Population, about 60,000.