History of the United States, Volume 4 | Page 9

entire force
instantly en route from Vicksburg to Chattanooga.
Chattanooga lies on the south side of the Tennessee River, at the
northern end of a valley running north and south. Along the eastern
edge of the valley rises Missionary Ridge. On the western side and
farther south, stands Lookout Mountain. After passing Chattanooga, the
river turns and runs south till it laves the base of Lookout Mountain.
The Confederate fortifications, twelve miles in length, ran along
Missionary Ridge, across the southern end of the valley, and up over
Lookout Mountain.
On November 23d, Thomas, who had succeeded Rosecrans, stormed
the breastworks half a mile from the base of Missionary Ridge. The
next day Grant sent "Fighting Joe Hooker" to sweep Bragg's
detachment from Lookout Mountain. Mist lay along the lofty slopes as
the gallant Hooker and his men moved up them, soon veiling the entire
column from sight; and it was only by the rattle of the musketry that
Grant knew how the fight progressed. This was the famous "Battle
Above the Clouds." Hooker pounded the enemy so lustily that they
were glad to evacuate the mountain in the night, and the next morning
the Stars and Stripes saluted the breezes of its topmost peak.
[Illustration: Portrait.] General Joseph Hooker.
While Hooker had been thus engaged, and for some days before,
Sherman had been at a movement that was even more momentous. He
had slyly thrust his army up the Tennessee River above the city,
placing it between the river and Missionary Ridge, and had worked its
flank to the left as far as the mouth of Chickamauga Creek. He had thus
gotten possession of the entire northeastern spur of that ridge with
hardly the loss of a corporal's guard.
The morrow after this was accomplished, November 25, 1863, was a
day of blood. Bragg's forces were now massed on Missionary Ridge,
mainly in front of Thomas and Sherman. Hooker had come down into

the valley and was to turn the enemy's left. If Bragg massed troops on
either of the two wings, Thomas's braves were to be let slip against the
weakened centre. Sherman got into action early in the morning, and
fought his painfully difficult way slowly up the rugged acclivities in his
front. Hooker had to bridge Chattanooga Creek, and did not attack till
afternoon. By three o'clock Sherman was so hard pressed that Grant
found it necessary to relieve him by sending Thomas forward at the
centre.
[Illustration: Several hundred soldiers in battle.] The Battle of Lookout
Mountain. (The "Battle Above the Clouds.")
The signal guns boom--one, two, three, four, five, six. Up spring
Thomas's heroes from their breastworks, and rush like a whirlwind for
the first line of Confederate rifle-pits. Bragg sees the advance and
hurries help to oppose. His batteries open with shot and shell, then with
canister. The infantry rake Thomas with a withering fire. Yet on,
double quick, dash the lines of blue over the open plain, over rocks,
stumps, and breastworks, bayonetting back or capturing their
antagonists, till the first line of rifle-pits is theirs.
The orders had been to halt at this point and re-form. But here, with
Bragg's artillery raining a veritable hell-fire upon them--here is no
place of resting, and as the men's blood is up, they sweep forward
unbidden, with a cheer. It is five hundred yards to the top--a steep
ascent, covered with bowlders and fallen timber. Over the rocks, under
and through the timber, each one scrambles on as he can. Half-way up
is a line of small works. It is carried with a rush, and on the men go,
right up to the crest of the ridge. Now they confront the heaviest
breastworks. The air is thick with whizzing musket-balls, and fifty
cannon belch flame and death. But nothing can stop that furious charge.
Sheridan's men reach the top first, the rest of the line close behind. The
"Johnnies" are routed after a short fight, and the guns turned against
them as they fly. By night Bragg's army is in full retreat, Chattanooga
is safe and free, Grant's lines of communication are assured, and the
keys of the State of Georgia in his hands.
[Illustration: Portrait.] General James B. McPherson.

The Union forces in this battle numbered about 60,000, the Confederate
half as many; but the latter fought with all the advantage which the
mountain and breastworks could give them. They lost nearly 10,000
including 6,500 prisoners. The Union loss was between 5,000 and
6,000--2,200 in the one hour's charge against the centre.
[1864]
There was no halting, no resting. Scarcely had the sounds of yesterday's
cannonade died away, when Sherman's already jaded forces were put in
motion to the north, to make sure that Burnside was set free at
Knoxville; but Longstreet had already raised