At the time that Geary's men were making slow but steady progress across the face of the mountain, Osterhaus and Grose had also been making progress against the enemy along the creek. They reached the Rossville Gap as Thomas's men were sweeping over Missionary Ridge. Hooker launched his attack on November 24, 1863 sending two columns forward with a plan for them attack up the western slope of the mountain and to converge at the Cravens farm about two-thirds of the way up the mountain on a small flat strip of level land, a bench, where the strongest Confederate defenses had been placed. [13], On the shoulder of the mountain near the northern end the Confederates had built their strongest defensive works near the small farm owned by Robert Cravens. [4], The Union government, alarmed by the potential for defeat, sent reinforcements. The area is home to the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, Covenant College, and a hang-gliding school. The Confederate defenses consisted of rifle-pits and stone walls supported by artillery that could sweep the ground in the front from which an attack would come. The caves of Ruby Falls are in Lookout Mountain, and the rock formations of the "City of Rocks" (or Rock City) attraction are situated on the ridge. Walthall's left was in position almost against the palisade to prevent the Federals from gaining that flank but it made little difference. Abilene, TX: McWhiney Foundation Press, 1999. He remained glued to his headquarters ... near the base of the cliff. While the troops in the valley anxiously watched and waited, suddenly a breeze came up and the fog and smoke drifted away bathing the mountain in sunlight and for a few minutes the men in the valley were treated to a wonderful sight. There was frequent firing during the afternoon and evening as Walthall received reinforcements from General Stevenson's division in the form of a brigade commanded by Brigadier General Edmund Pettus. Pound, O. Cincinnati, OH: Robert Clarke & Co., 1875. (Carlin was delayed for hours attempting to cross the river and reported to Geary at 7 p.m., playing no role in the combat.) 2 vols. White water sports and rock-climbing (offering views of the Coosa River Basin) are this area's key attractions. The area was lifted from an ancient sea, and worn down by erosion for millions of years. The Noccalula Falls Park, featuring a pioneer village showcasing several nineteenth-century homes, is located at the southern terminus of Lookout Mountain, in Gadsden, Alabama. Lookout Mountain is a mountain ridge located at the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, and along the Tennessee state line in Chattanooga. 188-90; Eicher, p. 607. At 1:25 p.m. he wrote that the "conduct of all the troops has been brilliant, and the success has far exceeded my expectations. New Castle, IN: The Courier Company Press, 1891. [8], Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman arrived from Vicksburg, Mississippi, with his 20,000 men of the Army of the Tennessee in mid-November. "[35] Nevertheless, the action was important in assuring control of the Tennessee River and the railroad into Chattanooga and endangering the entire Confederate line on Missionary Ridge. Hooker also noted that along either side on the slopes, "were rifle-pits, epaulements for batteries, walls of stone, and abatis to resist attack from either the Chattanooga or Lookout Valleys." As Whitaker's brigade arrived after 1 p.m., they stepped over Ireland's men and rushed into the attack. Fullerton, J. S. “The Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga,” in The Century 35, no. Hooker ordered Woods's and Grose's brigades to begin crossing the foot bridge over the creek.

On the western side the angle of the slope prevented General Stevenson's men on the summit from assisting their comrades fighting below but this was not the case on the eastern slopes and Stevenson hurried reinforcements down to assist Walthall's beleaguered troops. Climbing here is especially popular in the autumn months due to cooler weather.[9]. It is all poetry. 143-44; Woodworth. Confederate artillery atop Lookout Mountain controlled access by the river, and Confederate cavalry launched raids on all supply wagons heading toward Chattanooga, which made it necessary for the Union to find another way to feed their men. Spruill, Matt. It was imperative that the Federals be kept from getting around the point of the mountain to the eastern side where they would have access to the flank of the Confederate positions on Missionary Ridge. His 600 men took cover behind boulders and fallen trees and made enough of a racket to dissuade Whitaker's men from moving against them. [31] Accordingly, the troops withdrawn from Lookout Mountain were ordered to the right flank of Bragg's army. McDonough, p. 130; Cleaves, p. 196; Korn, p. 130. Hooker faced his three divisions to the north and drove into Bragg's flank, furthering the disruption of the Confederate line, sending the Army of Tennessee into full retreat. [5], Thomas launched a surprise amphibious landing at Brown's Ferry on October 27 that opened the Tennessee River by linking up Thomas's Army of the Cumberland with a relief column of 20,000 troops from the Eastern Theater's Army of the Potomac, led by Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker. Chattanooga: A Death Grip on the Confederacy. The claim is repeated on numerous barn roofs in the surrounding area. [7], In the plan of attack as originally put together there was no thought of trying to assault General Stevenson's men on top of the mountain. With 10,000 men under his command Hooker launched an assault on Lookout Mountain, defended by 8,700 Confederates. The foothills of the mountain extend into Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Gens. He assigned Hardee to command his now critical right flank, turning over the left flank to Carter Stevenson. Grant ordered Thomas to advance halfway to Missionary Ridge on a reconnaissance in force to determine the strength of the Confederate line, hoping to ensure that Bragg would not withdraw his forces and move in the direction of Knoxville, Tennessee, where Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside was being threatened by a Confederate force under Longstreet. Although Stevenson placed an artillery battery on the crest of the mountain, the guns could not be depressed enough to reach the bench, which was accessible from numerous trails on the west side of the mountain. The ensuing Battle of Wauhatchie (October 28–29) was one of the war's few battles fought exclusively at night. The Confederate defenses consisted of rifle-pits and stone walls supported by artillery that could sweep the ground in the front from which an attack would come. The Confederates were repulsed, and the Cracker Line was secured. This feat will be celebrated until time shall be no more. Such a cheer as then went up in the valley! The twentieth century saw some wealthy businessmen settle permanently on the mountain, but its attraction as a tourist destination also grew. The victor of Chickamauga, Confederate General Braxton Bragg, commander of the Army of Tennessee, followed the Federals to Chattanooga and seized control of most of the high ground around the city, turning what the Union troops thought would be a sanctuary into a trap where they would eventually have to surrender or starve.