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The Siege Begins
 he
Union's Army of the Cumberland retreated into Chattanooga on
September 21 and 22 with 35,000 men after its defeat at Chickamauga.
Because of the strategic importance of Chattanooga, Rosecrans was
ordered to hold on at all cost.
The Confederate Army of
Tennessee with 45,000 men was commanded by General Bragg. Most of
Bragg’s generals had little confidence and a severe dislike of
him (Nathan Bedford Forrest, after Bragg gave his command to General
Wheeler, called him a damned scoundrel  and
threatened his life). In addition, Bragg's troops were severely
short of food and supplies like tents and blankets. It was fall and
winter was fast approaching. Barefoot Confederates complained the
October frost hurt their feet. Bragg even issued orders that evening
sentry duty was required regardless of whether a soldier had shoes.
The Confederates held the
high ground on Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. They also
controlled Lookout Valley, which essentially cut off the Union's
supply line. In this setting, Bragg decided to lay siege to
Chattanooga and starve the Union forces into submission.
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Union
forces held Lookout Mtn. but abandoned it on September 23. When they
gave up Lookout Mtn.,
they also gave up Lookout Valley - a near fatal error. |
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The
Union's supplies
came from Nashville on the railroad to Bridgeport AL, about 25 miles
southwest of Chattanooga. From Bridgeport, there were three routes to
Chattanooga; (1) the most direct was the railroad which ran through Lookout
Valley
to Chattanooga; (2) down the river to Kelly's Ferry (about 15 miles
west of Chattanooga) and then through Lookout
Valley
to Brown's Ferry; and (3) the most difficult was down the Sequatchie
Valley and over 1500 ft. Walden's Ridge. Because the Confederates
held Lookout Valley, the Union was forced to use the most difficult
supply route. |
After his defeat at
Chickamauga, Rosecrans' confidence was severely shaken. His Army was
defeated and starving. He wired Washington that an evacuation of
Chattanooga might be necessary. This was not what Lincoln and his
advisors wanted to hear. They needed Chattanooga, if Rosecrans
abandoned it, there wouldn't be enough time to recapture it and
launch the invasion before the presidential election one year hence. Rosecrans
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The
Union's Army of the Ohio, in the spring and summer of 1862, had
invaded south as far as Corinth Miss. and Huntsville AL. They
intended to capture Chattanooga, but had to withdraw when their
supply lines were threatened. |
To make sure they didn't
lose control of Chattanooga, Grant was put in overall command. On
October 19, Rosecrans was relieved and Thomas was given command of
the Army of the Cumberland. Grant arrived in Chattanooga on the
evening of October 23, 1863 to a starving Union Army under siege. |
