In September 1863, the Confederate South achieved their greatest victory on the Western Front at the Battle of Chickamauga. Could the Union Northern army turn the tide and continue to reclaim territory?
At Antietam and Gettysburg, the Northern army had succeeded in repelling Southern attacks northward. Although from the start of the Civil War, the North continuously captured Southern territories on the Western Front, the recent Southern victory at Chickamauga marked a turning point, potentially slowing the Northern offensive momentum. Could Northern General Ulysses S. Grant secure a victory on this front and regain the initiative?
Victory Belonged to the Union North
The Battle of Chattanooga delivered a solid military victory for the Union North, restoring their momentum in reclaiming Southern territory. Within a few months, following their surprising victory at Chickamauga, the Southern forces shifted to the offensive, besieging the Northern army in the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
However, just a few weeks later, Northern General Ulysses S. Grant was given command of this military region and resolved to break the siege, retaking Chattanooga. Thanks to its strategic location, Chattanooga could be used as a supply hub for the North to advance deeper into the South.
With a significant numerical advantage, Grant launched an offensive in late November 1863. After a minor skirmish on November 23, two days of fierce fighting ensued to defeat the Southern forces at two separate mountains. On November 24, Northern General Joseph Hooker captured Lookout Mountain, and the following day, General George Thomas seized Missionary Ridge.
Meanwhile, General William T. Sherman held the center position against the forces of Southern General Braxton Bragg. By the evening of November 25, 1863, the Southern forces retreated from Chattanooga, and the siege was officially broken.
Timeline of the Battle of Chattanooga
- September 20, 1863: The Southern forces secured a surprising victory at Chickamauga, thanks to a significant mobilization of resources to bolster their numbers, outmatching the Northern forces. Under the command of General William Rosecrans, the Northern Army of the Cumberland retreated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Southern General Braxton Bragg continued the pursuit and besieged the city. This siege drastically reduced the Northern army’s food rations.
- October 10, 1863: General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed commander of the Western Front in Washington, D.C. Shortly after, he replaced William Rosecrans with George H. Thomas. Despite the Southern siege, Grant arrived in Chattanooga by late October.
- October 27, 1863: The plan to break the siege began with the Northern forces capturing river ports. The North seized Brown’s Ferry, re-establishing a supply line for the trapped Army of the Cumberland.
- November 1863: General Bragg reduced the besieging forces by sending units to support other Southern objectives.
- November 23, 1863: Grant’s offensive commenced. The Northern forces overwhelmed the Southern troops at Orchard Knob.
- November 24, 1863: After fierce battles, the Southern forces withdrew from Lookout Mountain to reinforce Missionary Ridge. However, on November 25, Northern General Joseph Hooker breached the Missionary Ridge defenses, securing a decisive victory for the North.
Causes of the Battle of Chattanooga
The entrapment of the Northern Army of the Cumberland in Chattanooga demanded a swift response from the North, especially after the defeat at Chickamauga. Although that victory came at a heavy cost to the South in terms of manpower, which was already scarce compared to the North, the situation at the time forced the North to act urgently.
The American Civil War had consumed vast resources, and there was always a risk that the public might demand negotiations to end the war. President Abraham Lincoln had just one year before his re-election, and any sign that the South could still resist militarily might sway voters toward a candidate favoring negotiations.
Thus, the North needed to swiftly and decisively break the siege at Chattanooga. Moreover, General Braxton Bragg, who had triumphed at Chickamauga, was commanding the siege, so liberating the city would also undermine his momentum.
Additionally, Chattanooga was a critical strategic location at the “apex” of the Deep South: capturing the city and its connected rail system would facilitate the North’s deeper incursions into the South. When Bragg redeployed some of his forces to other Southern objectives, it provided the perfect opportunity for General Ulysses S. Grant and his commanders to strike.
Why Was the Battle of Chattanooga Important?
The Battle of Chattanooga played a crucial role in restoring the Union North’s offensive momentum in reclaiming Confederate territories. Before this, the Southern victory at Chickamauga had slowed the North’s advance and raised the possibility that the South could negotiate peace terms.
However, President Abraham Lincoln and his supporters were determined to preserve the nation’s unity, which meant the South had to surrender completely. Failure to achieve this in time could allow the South to retain some territory as an independent entity.
Secondly, the Battle of Chattanooga paved the way for the Union’s campaign to invade the Deep South. Until that point, most Northern attacks had occurred on the Eastern Front in Virginia or along the Mississippi River.
Although 1863 saw the North split the Confederacy east-to-west by controlling the Mississippi River, much of the Southern territory remained intact; only Texas, parts of Louisiana, and Arkansas were severed. Many believed the South would not surrender as long as their most fertile agricultural regions in the Deep South remained beyond Northern control.
6 Facts About the Battle of Chattanooga
Casualties
Casualties in the Battle of Chattanooga were relatively low compared to the number of troops involved. With over 120,000 soldiers engaged, fewer than 14,000 were casualties. The majority—around 8,000—were from the besieging Confederate forces. Thanks to their overwhelming numerical advantage, the Union forces quickly overran targets, significantly minimizing losses.
Commanders
The Union forces were led by Generals William T. Sherman, Joseph Hooker, and George H. Thomas, under the command of the newly appointed Mississippi Military Division Commander, Ulysses S. Grant. The victory was primarily credited to Hooker, who captured Lookout Mountain on November 24, and Thomas, who defeated the Confederate army at Missionary Ridge on November 25.
However, Sherman is the most remembered of the three generals due to his famous “March to the Sea” through Georgia in 1864. Hooker struggled to restore his reputation after his defeat at Chancellorsville earlier in 1863, while Thomas was often criticized, perhaps unfairly, for being overly slow and cautious in his campaigns.
Confederate Southern Forces
The Confederate forces were commanded by General Braxton Bragg, a renowned veteran of the Mexican-American War who had just won at Chickamauga. However, his defeat at Chattanooga marked the end of his military career. After this loss, Bragg was unofficially demoted to a military advisor to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Post-war, Bragg retired to Alabama, working in various fields, including insurance, and died in Galveston, Texas, in 1876.
Scale of Forces Involved
Under Ulysses S. Grant’s command, the Union forces totaled around 72,500 soldiers, including those besieged in Chattanooga and external units brought in to break the siege. Though Grant had a numerical edge, about 40,000 troops inside the city were malnourished and undersupplied.
On the Confederate side, General Braxton Bragg commanded approximately 49,000 troops encircling the city. However, Bragg’s decision to pull some units to support other Confederate objectives gave Grant the opening he needed to attack.
Visiting Chattanooga Today
Today, visitors can explore the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields at the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. A walking tour takes visitors through the Lookout Mountain battlefield, though an entrance fee applies. The park regularly hosts special events to reenact and share the historical stories of both battles. Additionally, Chattanooga, Tennessee, boasts pre-Civil War architecture, offering an engaging experience for history enthusiasts.
Ulysses S. Grant’s Final Victory on the Western Front
Ulysses S. Grant was praised by President Abraham Lincoln for his victory at Chattanooga on December 8, 1863. Just months later, Grant was summoned to Washington, D.C., and promoted to lieutenant general, becoming the first American to hold this rank since George Washington.
He was appointed General-in-Chief of all Union forces, officially directing the North’s entire war effort. The decisive victory at Chattanooga not only solidified Grant’s military standing but also propelled him to the height of power, leading to his presidency four and a half years later.
Conclusion
The Battle of Chattanooga was not only a critical strategic victory for the Union North but also a turning point in the American Civil War. After the defeat at Chickamauga, the Northern army, under Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership, reversed the situation, broke the siege at Chattanooga, and restored their offensive drive into Southern territory. This victory reinforced President Abraham Lincoln’s resolve to preserve national unity while paving the way for larger campaigns to control the Deep South.
We hope this article has provided you with a clearer understanding of the causes, developments, and historical significance of the Battle of Chattanooga, brought to you by Thefactsofwar. These historical events remind us of the importance of strategy and determination in challenging times and serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of war. We hope lessons from the past will inspire peace and unity in the future.
Translated by: Minh Tuan
Source: thecollector.com – Who Won the Battle of Chattanooga?
