n
November 23, Grant received information that Bragg was withdrawing
(which was incorrect). Concerned that Bragg might escape, he ordered
Thomas to send in a reconnaissance force to "test" the
Confederate strength. A conservative Thomas prepared most of his Army
of the Cumberland for this action before sending in about 5,000 men
to attack Orchard Knob.
Orchard
Knob and the ridge running next to it rises more than 100 feet above
the grounds around it. It is located equidistance (about one mile)
from the base of Missionary Ridge and the location of the Union
breastworks in Chattanooga (Ft. Wood). The area around Orchard Knob
is a relatively flat plain.
About 1:00 pm on the
23rd, about 630 Confederates on Orchard Knob watched as a large Union
force assembled in the valley below. The Confederates, under General
Manigault, were unaware that this force, just a few hundred yards
away, was headed in their direction.
A truce
had been in effect so the Confederates were not expecting an attack.
They
thought the Yankees were preparing for a review.
A little before 2:00 pm,
three Union brigades under General Wood (the same man who created the
gap in the Union line at Chickamauga) began to move toward Orchard
Knob. Since they were so close, they were upon the Confederates
almost before they knew what happened. The battle lasted five minutes
before the Yankees captured Orchard Knob.
What was
intended as a demonstration, resulted in a significant strategic
victory for Grant.
n
November 23, Grant received information that Bragg was withdrawing
(which was incorrect). Concerned that Bragg might escape, he ordered
Thomas to send in a reconnaissance force to "test" the
Confederate strength. A conservative Thomas prepared most of his Army
of the Cumberland for this action before sending in about 5,000 men
to attack Orchard Knob.
Orchard
Knob and the ridge running next to it rises more than 100 feet above
the grounds around it. It is located equidistance (about one mile)
from the base of Missionary Ridge and the location of the Union
breastworks in Chattanooga (Ft. Wood). The area around Orchard Knob
is a relatively flat plain.