Chattanooga - Missionary Ridge

Jim Klag

Jim Klag

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The Battle of Missionary Ridge, TN, with Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, CSA, repelling Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman at Tunnel Hill and the north end of Missionary Ridge; Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, USA, not making much progress; Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA, assaulting and breaking the center of the Confederate lines, forcing Gen. Braxton Bragg, CSA, to retreat across the Chickamauga Creek, Lieut. Gen. William J. Hardee, CSA, protecting the rear flank from the pursuing Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA. Total casualties approximate 12,500.
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Chattanooga

Our Battles of Chattanooga page includes history articles, maps, battle facts, and other historical resources for this important 1863 Civil War campaign in Tennessee.
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5fish

5fish

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There two Tunnel Hills ?

www.civilwarrailroadtunnel.com

A Tale of Two “Tunnel Hills” | Tunnel Hill Heritage Center and Museum

The Battle of Missionary Ridge and the Confusion of Two Tunnel Hills By: David Thomas Things were beginning to improve for the Union Forces “trapped” in Chattanooga, Tennessee by mid-November 1863. General U. S. Grant had taken over command and appointing George H. Thomas as commander of...
www.civilwarrailroadtunnel.com

Now what about Tunnel Hill? At the northern end of Missionary Ridge where Cleburne held back Sherman the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad passes under Missionary Ridge through a tunnel. This section of Missionary Ridge that Cleburne defended was known as “Tunnel Hill” (see map). While the overall fighting referred to as the Battle of Missionary Ridge, some accounts in the Official Records of the War of Rebellion mention the fight between Cleburne and Sherman as the “Tunnel Hill Battle” leading some to believe that this action took place at Tunnel Hill, Georgia


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5fish

5fish

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Beuschbeck's one unit got slaughtered that day...

www.nps.gov

Missionary Ridge - Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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73rd Pennsylvania Reservation

While Union forces were largely successful in their attacks along Missionary Ridge, the Confederacy held the upper hand along the ridge's northern hills. The 73rd Pennsylvania suffered mightily during the engagement. These men, part General Oliver Howard's XI Corps, were veterans of many of the major engagements of the eastern theater of war, having fought at Second Manassas, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. As they charged Confederate rifle pits in the hills at the north end of Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, the unit was cut off from the rest of the brigade. As a result, nearly the entire regiment was killed, wounded, or captured. Only twenty five men avoided capture. Today there is a monument to the 73rd Pennsylvania, as well as several tablets explaining the military operations in the area. The 73rd Pennsylvania Monument is located at the intersection of Glass Street and Campbell Street just off of North Crest Road. There is no parking at this location. To visit either park in a public space in the commercial area of Glass Street and walk, or park at the Sherman Reservation and hike down a short trail that connects the Sherman Reservation and the 73rd Pennsylvania Reservation.
 
5fish

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Here is one account .... 27th PA. Inf...

27th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Organization and Service

www.pa-roots.com

snip...

On the 24th of October, 1863, the regiment was stationed at Bridgeport, Alabama. On the 28th, in pursuance of orders, it marched along the Cumberland river towards Chattanooga. On the 29th, the enemy was encountered in the vicinity of Wauhatchie creek, and soon driven back across the stream. As the column passed Lookout Mountain, it was continually fired upon by the rebels posted on its summit, but without effect. The command encamped for the night near the river, having opened communication with Chattanooga.

Shortly after midnight, it was aroused by the sound of heavy firing in the rear, and was ordered to the support of General Geary, who had been attacked. Moving at double quick time, the enemy was soon encountered, posted on a high, steep hill. The Seventy-third Ohio, and Thirty-third Massachusetts were ordered to storm the heights, and after three unsuccessful attempts, they at last succeeded in driving the enemy from his position. As the final charge was made, the Twenty-seventh advanced on their left and captured some prisoners. In the morning, breast-works were thrown, up, which were shelled by the rebels on Lookout Mountain. The line was gradually pushed forward towards the mountain, till it reached to the creek, and was daily shelled by the rebels, but with little effect. Notice of the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Cantador was received while here, and Major M'Aloon was appointed to succeed lhim, Captain Reidt, of company C, being promoted to the Majority.

Taking up the line of march on the 22d of November, and crossing the river twice on the way, the brigade arrived at Chattanooga the same evening, and encamped for the night. On the following day, leaving knapsacks and tents in camp, and taking only overcoats and haversacks, it marched a short distance beyond the town and took position in line of battle, already formed. The skirmishers soon became engaged, and drove the enemy, capturing a number of prisoners. The Thirty-third New York having been driven back, a part of the Twenty-seventh Regiment was ordered to its support, relieving it, and remaining out all night on the skirmish line.

In the morning, as the skirmishers were being relieved, the rebels opened fire on them. Immediately re-forming, they again advanced, and out-flanking the assailants, took some prisoners. On the same evening, the regiment moved to the left, along the river, and joined Sherman's forces, then advancing towards Mission Ridge. The Seventy-third Pennsylvania held the right of the brigade facing the ridge, the Twenty-seventh the left. The entire ridge was covered with breast-works, well supplied with guns. Sherman, away to the left, was attempting to storm the mountain in his front. Shortly after noon, the Seventy-third advanced from the wood where it had been stationed, to the foot of the ridge and took possession of two blockhouses. It was soon actively engaged, the rebels attempting to dislodge it.

Companies A and B, of the Twenty-seventh, were ordered to its support, and advanced gallantly. The rest of the regiment led by Lieutenant Colonel M'Aloon, followed, charging up the ridge to the left of the Sevetnty-third, and were joined on the way by the two detached companies. In the face of a hot fire of infantry and artillery, the column marched forward and without firing a shot drove the enemy behind his last line of breast-works and to within a few paces of his battery. Too much exhausted by the charge up the rugged face of the ridge to seize their advantage in time, the enemy rallied and was re-inforced.

For two hours this position was held, and until every cartridge had been used, the right flank of the regiment turned, and two-thirds of its number either killed or wounded; then, and not till then, was it forced to fall back. 6 The brave Lieutenant Colonel M'Aloon was carried off the field with five wounds, from the effects of which he died on the 7th of December, 1863. He was succeeded in command by Major Beidt The regiment advanced to the charge two hundred and forty strong. Of this number, one officer and forty-five men were killed, and six officers and eighty men wounded
 
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