150 Years Ago in the Civil War 24 NOV 1863 CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN (continued) US Gen Joseph Hooker leads his 12,000 men to the base of the steep Lookout Mountain and begin their climb. Clouds and fog form a layer about half way up the slope, and the Confederates, numbering only 2700, who hold the summit cannot see the approach of the Federals. Also, once the Union troops enter the cloud bank, the commanding generals back down in the valley have no idea how the battle is going. Once the Federals clear the foggy cover, the Confederates open on them, but soon realize their artillery which was situated so well to shell the Union camps in the valley, cannot have their barrels depressed enough to fire on the oncoming Federals. Instead, to supplement their rifle fire, they light the fuses on cannon balls and roll them, along with any large loose boulders they can find down the slopes. When this does not slow the onslaught, they begin yelling, Chickamauga! at the Federals, as if the mere mention of their last victory over their opponents will slow or stop them. Commander CS Gen Carter Stevenson has sent messages several times to his superior CS Gen Braxton Bragg claiming he cannot hold without reinforcements. He is amazed when he finally receives a reply: no reinforcements, pull back. At 2:30pm, Stevenson pulls back to his right, burning a bridge between them to slow the Federals. Fighting continues until 8:00pm, when US Gen Joseph Hooker reaches all his objectives. Union command in the valley will have to wait until the morning, when the fog dissipates, and the Stars & Stripes can be seen flying on top of Lookout Mountain to know of the victory. This conflict becomes known as The Battle Above the Clouds. At the other end of Braggs line, US Gen William Tecumseh Sherman orders the attack on Missionary Ridge. Unfortunately, the ridge he takes is separated from Missionary Ridge by a deep ravine, delaying the attack on this end, and alerting Bragg of the new danger. The Union gunners have an easy day in front of Fort Sumter, SC, as they deliver a mere 270 additional artillery rounds at the stubbornly defending Confederates. The USS Pawnee and Marblehead cover Union troops adding obstructions in the form of driven piles and whatever else they can find in the Stono River above Legareville, SC.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 01:50:38 +0000
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