Event
The Battle of Missionary Ridge
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Type of Event
Description
9:30 am – Over the River and Through the Woods: Sherman’s Amphibious Assault and “Attack” on the Ridge
Location: The program will begin at the Chickamauga Dam Reservation of the Tennessee Riverpark along Amnicola Highway just west of TN 153 (approximately 4631 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN) and then progress to two other points
An amphibious assault across the Tennessee to attack the Confederate right along Missionary Ridge was to be Ulysses S. Grant’s main strike at Chattanooga in November 1863. The move would take advantage of hills and creeks and the rain swollen river to make the initial crossing happen. Once across the Tennessee, Grant’s trusted subordinate William T. Sherman was then to move up onto Missionary Ridge to strike the Confederates. It would require thorough planning and reconnaissance to make Grant’s desired Battle of Missionary Ridge happen. Join National Military Park Historian Jim Ogden for this two-and-a-half-hour car caravan look at what Grant envisioned for Sherman and what happened that eventually made for a very different Battle of Missionary Ridge. There will be about a mile total of walking on sidewalks and pavement.
11 am – A Driving Tour of the Battle of Missionary Ridge
Location: Meet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center
This 2-hour car-caravan tour of Missionary Ridge will stop at the Iowa, Bragg, and Sherman Reservations where insights into the November 25, 1863, actions will be shared.
2 pm – The Lone Star State Leads the Defense of Tunnel Hill
Location: The program will begin at the Sherman Reservation parking area in the 2800 block of Lightfoot Mill Road just off Campbell Street/North Crest Road
“…the brunt of this long day’s fight was borne by Smith’s (Texas) brigade….” That is how Confederate General Pat Cleburne began the summary of his division’s fighting on November 25, 1863. While ably supported by others, the Lone Star men positioned atop Tunnel Hill withstood more than a half dozen Union attacks to thereby be the basis of Cleburne’s success against William T. Sherman. National Military Park Historian Jim Ogden will examine this stalwart defense by the Texans in this two-hour, one mile walking tour.