Events mark 154th anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga
Final three days of anniversary observance
The second, and final, weekend of events marking the 154th anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga will be held today through Saturday, Nov. 23-25, sponsored by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
Walking tours, hikes with park historian Jim Ogden and an open house at historic Cravens House are scheduled this weekend.
Before Union and Confederate armies peered at one another from their fortifications in 1863, Chattanooga was known as the “Gateway to the South,” a city strategically nestled between mountain passes on the confluence of several major railroads and the Tennessee River. Some of the deadliest battlefields of the Civil War took place here in their efforts to control the city.
For more information about programs at Chickamauga Battlefield, contact the Visitor Center at 706-866-9241. For programs at Point Park, call 423-821-7786.
TODAY, NOV. 23 10 a.m., noon, 2 and
4 p.m. Walking tours of Point Park on Lookout Mountain, meet inside the entrance gate.
Join a park ranger for a 30-minute walking tour discussing the campaign for Chattanooga from the perspective of Union and Confederate troops.
2 p.m. Orchard Knob Reservation, corner of Ivy Street and Orchard Knob Avenue
A one-hour walking tour discussing this lesser-known engagement that took place Nov. 23, 1863, in the first of three heated battles to decide the fate of Chattanooga. FRIDAY, NOV. 24 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cravens House open house, follow signs from Scenic Highway to house on side of Lookout Mountain.
Tour Robert Cravens’ home and hear stories related to the family and the Battle Above the Clouds. 10 a.m. Brown’s Ferry and Grant’s Plan, Brown’s Ferry Federal Road Trailhead, near 707 Moccasin Bend Road. Special Event signs will be posted
The Tennessee River pontoon bridge at Brown’s Ferry was a critical link in any chain for Union success at Chattanooga. Join historian Jim Ogden for a one-mile, 90-minute, round-trip walk down to the river at Brown’s Ferry and learn how events at this crossing shaped what became the Battles for Chattanooga days later. 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Walking tours of Point Park, meet inside entrance gate.
Join a park ranger for a 30-minute walking tour discussing the campaign for Chattanooga from the perspective of Union and Confederate troops.
2 p.m. A Battle of Lookout Mountain Walk, Cravens House on Lookout Mountain
Join historian Jim
Ogden for a two-hour, 1.5-mile walk exploring part of the battlefield and learn about an unanticipated battle. SATURDAY, NOV. 25
10 a.m. “Hold Yourself in Readiness: The Army of the Cumberland Before Orchard Knob,” Orchard Knob Reservation, corner of Ivy Street and Orchard Knob Avenue.
The movement that gained Orchard Knob for the Union was supposed to be a demonstration. However, its valuable proximity to the main Confederate line along Missionary Ridge was recognized and held. The Union troops who seized it were alerted to ready themselves for a potential attack on Missionary Ridge. In this 90-minute walk and talk,
historian Jim Ogden will discuss the Union Army between Orchard Knob and Missionary Ridge and their attack on Missionary Ridge.
10 a.m. What Makes a Fortification, Sherman Reservation, 2800 Lightfoot Mill Road.
Confederates created a means of crude field fortifications by using rocks, logs and other materials to defend their position. This one-hour program will delve into the role of field fortifications used by Confederate soldiers positioned along Missionary Ridge. 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Walking Tours of Point Park, inside the entrance gate.
Join a park ranger for a 30-minute walking tour discussing the campaign for Chattanooga from the perspective of Union and Confederate troops.
2 p.m. “The Last Full Measure,” Chattanooga National Cemetery at the Andrews’ Raiders Monument, 1200 Bailey Ave.
While President Abraham Lincoln made remarks at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Penn., Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was making plans to break the siege of Chattanooga. A few days later, Grant’s forces gave their “last full measure of devotion” on ground that later became a final resting place for many of those soldiers. This onehour program will discuss some of the stories associated with these soldiers.
2 p.m. Cumming’s Georgians and the Battle of Missionary Ridge at Tunnel Hill, Sherman Reservation, 2800 Lightfoot Mill Road.
Historian Jim Ogden will examine the role of Alfred Cumming’s Brigade in the Tunnel Hill portion of the Battle of Missionary Ridge on Nov. 25, 1863, in this two-hour, 1.5-mile walking tour.