I grew up in the Manchester Park neighborhood which is close to where Hixson Pike and Lupton Drive cross and am wondering, does anyone remember Hixson Pike before it was made into a 4 lane road?
If memory serves me right there was a marker just up the hill from where Haywood Ave comes into Hixson Pike that had the name Sherman's Hideout on it. The area around there was where Union General Sherman hid his troops before their march to the sea if I recall.
And I also remember the area where the River Hills subdivision is now and there at one time was a stone marker on a hillside that had been placed by a union division. I know that the marker on Hixson Pike is long gone but does anyone have any idea as to where it went?
With all the talk about Stringer's Ridge I thought that maybe having that marker would be a nice addition to preserving the historic part of the area. It was one of those cast metal markers that sat on top of a pole by the way.
And as far as the stone marker where River Hills subdivision is now I am wondering if when they developed that area did they leave the marker in the woods, move it or just destroy it.
I had a friend that lived on Hixson Pike just north or Rivermont Road and he and I used to walk through the woods on our way down to the river where the Harrison farm is. If anyone can answer these questions or have any knowledge of either of those markers please reply.
Craig Collier
Chattanooga
zook1@bellsouth.net
* * *
The Sherman's Hideout marker was moved to the Chattanooga Memorial Park Cemetery, better known as the duck pond. The history buffs decided that was the site of Sherman's hideout. I remember when it was moved, and an explanation was published in one of the local papers at that time. I can't recall the details of the article.
Fred Roper
Chattanooga
* * *
The famous Sherman's Hideout sign is on Memorial Drive. It sits in front of the Chattanooga Memorial Gardens.
The stories quotes that the hideout was a part of the Duck Pond Property. I have heard several historical stats that claim that. I have also heard of historical stories about the knoll or hill across the street.
The stories state that a part of Sherman's group stayed on top of the hill and watched the Confederate troop movements. The group was headed by a Captain Crane. The name of such hill was later named Crane's knoll or hill. I cannot find any fact to back up this story. I love regional history especially when it has something to do with Red Bank.
Laura Crane
Red Bank
ToBSketching@aol.com
* * *
To the best of my old clouded recollection, the metal marker you speak of was moved over to Memorial Drive, by the Duck Pond.
Don't know if it's still there or if the "scrap thieves" have gotten it. At the time, those who moved it said the new location more accurately located the old scoundrels' actual hideout.
Don Hill
Walden, Tn.
* * *
I am aware of evidence of Sherman’s camp at the duck pond having been recovered by relic hunters. It included bullets, cartridges, and other artifacts typically found in Civil War campsites. The troops then crossed the ridge (approximately Altamont Dr.), moved up the hill on ‘Hixson Pike’ and into the river valley just below Rivermont Dr. From there, they boarded boats, crossed the river, landing near the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek and attacked the ridge near the present Sherman’s Reservation.
There is a stone marker in the woods on the valley floor between the end of Riverhills Dr. and the back corner of the Enclave subdivision. I recall that it honors an Indiana unit who camped there. I do not know if it is the same monument that once stood beside Hixson Pike.
Chattanooga is so rich in Civil War history.
David B.Kaplan
dbkap@bellsouth.net
* * *
Fred Roper said it had been moved. Fred Roper knows more about the north end of Red Bank than anybody I know. He grew up there; he and his brother rode horses all over that area; he must be over 65. He has "A-1 Lawnmower" near Gadd Rd.
Ed Tankesley
tankesley@comcast.net