A* summary of the Battle of Chattanooga for AQA A Level History students studying America (the American Civil War.) Written by a student now studying at Oxford University. Following this summary will guarantee you the top marks.
The Battle of Chattanooga
Before the Battle
-Union general William Rosecrans retreats to Chattanooga.
-Confederate general Bragg, looking to capitalize on his victory, follows the Federals there and establishes
positions on Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, successfully putting the Union troops under siege and
cutting off their supply line.
-17th October: Gen. Grant is given command over the newly created Military Division of the Mississippi, which
puts all Federal troops in the Western Theater under his control.
-Grant learns that Rosecrans is planning to withdraw the Army of the Cumberland from Chattanooga,
effectively surrendering the strategically important city.
-Grant immediately replaces Rosecrans with Maj. General Thomas and orders Thomas to hold Chattanooga.
-Thomas responds, “we will hold the town till we starve.”
-In an effort to send support, Grant sets up a “Cracker Line” to move food across the Tennessee River to the
soldiers under siege.
During the Battle
-23rd November: Grant receives word from Confederate deserters that Bragg is withdrawing some of his
brigades.
-On seeing columns of Confederates marching away from Missionary Ridge, Grant becomes concerned that
Bragg is sending troops to reinforce the Confederates under Lt. Gen. Longstreet near Knoxville.
-To prevent this, Grant sends 14,000 Union troops to engage a rear-guard of 600 Confederates at Orchard
Knob.
The vastly outnumbered Rebels get off only one volley before being overrun by the Federals. Orchard Knob
serves as Grant’s headquarters for the remainder of the battle.
-24th November: General Hooker strikes the Confederate left.
-Geary’s men (Union) make contact with Confederate general Edward Walthall’s men.
-The Confederates’ inferior numbers are quickly driven back.
-Confederate general John C. Moore launches a counterattack but find themselves severely outflanked and
retreat.
-Bragg holds a council with his generals and decides to withdraw to reinforce Missionary Ridge. This hands
Grant a second victory.
-Faulty intelligence leads Sherman’s men to Billy Goat Hill instead.
-Grant is determined to follow up the success of November 24 with a coordinated effort. Hooker will advance
on Missionary Ridge from the south while Sherman attacks Tunnel Hill, on the northern end of the
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