Chattanooga Part 3
Approach
Yankees of Corse's brigade advanced up this steep slope and pushed back their Confederate opponents. This area is the far right of the rebel line on the northern end of the ridge. After ascending the slope, the Yankees came upon an open ridgetop.
From the Top of Tunnel Hill
Swett's Confederate battery is represented by the cannon on the right. The Yankees of Corse's brigade advanced across the open field on the right of the picture and got to within 20 yards of the guns, but the Confederate position held. Cleburne could move troops to threatened areas easily while Union troops were stymied by difficult terrain.
Front of Tunnel Hill
Sherman continued the attacks, but he was unable to take Tunnel Hill. This is the slope in front of the guns on the left of the previous picture. The terrain alone was obstacle enough, and the attacks made little progress.
Missionary Ridge From National Cemetery
With Sherman halted in front of Tunnel Hill and Hooker making slow progress, Grant ordered his center to advance to the riflepits below Missionary Ridge. Making good progress and annoyed by Confederate fire from the ridge above, the Union troops continued the attack without orders. Although potentially formidable, the Missionary Ridge position was undermanned and deeply flawed. Union troops penetrated the line and decisively defeated the Confederate army. In a remarkable turn of events, not only was a Union army saved, it decisively defeated its enemy. Bragg was finally relieved of command and was replaced with Joe Johnston. As Grant moved east to accompany the Army of the Potomac, in the coming spring Johnston would oppose the Union army, now under Sherman, as it advanced on Atlanta.
Touring Notes: Chattanooga is an Indian word meaning "land of the confusing road network and many detours." Fortunately, I started my visit early Saturday morning when traffic was light and the criminal element was still hung over from their nocturnal festivities. As a result, the car wasn't broken into at the Sherman reservation. Despite light traffic, I managed to unintentionally cross the river twice while returning to downtown, so make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to tour, and make sure you have detailed city maps. Skipping a formal lunch, you may be able to see most of both Chattanooga and Chickamauga in one full day, but it makes for a rushed tour.
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