Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host special programs commemorating the anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22.
Battlefield staff and volunteers will offer a variety of educational programs; walks, talks, guided tours, and living history demonstrations throughout the weekend. These programs will take place throughout the Chattanooga area, including Moccasin Bend, Lookout Mountain, downtown Chattanooga, Orchard Knob, Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, and Ringgold Gap. Living history demonstrations will occur at Point Park on the top of Lookout Mountain and include Union infantry and Confederate artillery. The Infantry and Artillery programs will describe the difficulties the Union Infantry and the Confederate Artillery faced during the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Both the infantry and artillery camps will be open throughout the weekend and visitors are encouraged to learn what life was like for the Civil War soldier and artilleryman.
Confederate Artillery Demonstrations
Saturday, Nov. 21: at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Union Infantry Demonstrations
Saturday, Nov. 21: 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22: 10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 21, author Mark Hughes will be available to discuss and sign his book, The New Civil War Handbook at the Point Park Visitor Center. This book provides facts and photos for readers of all ages and is a quick reference guide to a huge range of topics on the American Civil War.
The Battles for Chattanooga, Nov. 23-25, 1863, marked the end of a bloody, five month campaign for control of the key rail center and Gateway to the Deep South. In 1864, Chattanooga became General William T. Sherman’s supply and communication base for his Georgia campaign.
For more information about this event and the expanding number of programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706 866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at821-7786, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/chch.
Here is the schedule for Saturday, Nov. 21
Point Park Guided Walking Tour – 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Explore the Campaign for Chattanooga from the perspective of Union and Confederate troops as they struggled for control of the Gateway to the Deep South. This 45 minute walking tour begins inside the Point Park Entrance Gate.
“A Vicious Little Battery:” The Union Artillery on Moccasin Bend during the Siege and Battles for Chattanooga– 9 a.m.
Union artillery entrenched on Moccasin Bend assisted in covering troop movements during the Siege of Chattanooga and the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Join Park Historian Jim Ogden on a 90 minute walking tour to learn more about the Civil War sites on historic Moccasin Bend. Please wear comfortable shoes. This tour begins on Moccasin Bend Road just north of the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute grounds. Look for the special program signs and the park ranger who will direct you to the parking area.
Walking Tour of Downtown Chattanooga’s Civil War Sites – 9:30 a.m.
As a railroad hub, Chattanooga was a growing town in the mid-19th century when actions in the Civil War made it militarily significant. Join Historian Patrice Glass in examining Chattanooga through the accounts of its residents and discover how military occupation affected the town. This 90 minute walking tour begins on the south entrance to the Walnut Street Bridge.
“An Inspiriting Sight:” The Engagement at Orchard Knob – 11:30 a.m.
On Nov. 23, 1863, Union forces moved out of Chattanooga and assaulted a small number of Confederates on Orchard Knob, a prominent knoll between the city and Missionary Ridge. Meet Park Ranger Christopher Young inside the Orchard Knob entrance gate at the corner of Ivy Street and Orchard Knob Avenue for this 90 minute tour.
Over the River and Through the Woods to Missionary Ridge: Grant and Sherman’s Main Effort at Chattanooga – 1:30 p.m.
"Attack the Confederate right flank northeast of Chattanooga and drive the rebel army southward and into North Georgia.” That was the mission assigned to Major General William T. Sherman by the overall Union commander in the Chattanooga area, Ulysses S. Grant. It was intended to be Grant's main strike at the Southerners arrayed outside of Chattanooga too. But, to accomplish this, Sherman had a number of obstacles before him, most notably a river and a significant wooded ridge. Join Park Historian Jim Ogden and U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Historian Gerald Hodge for a two hour car caravan tour of some of the key points associated with Sherman's execution of Grant's main effort. The tour will examine the Tennessee River in the area of Sherman's crossing, progress up onto Missionary Ridge as Sherman did and discuss the Confederate reaction. This program begins at the Tennessee Riverpark Fishing Park on Amnicola Highway just downstream/west of the
C. B. Robinson Bridge.
“The Most Unbounded Enthusiasm…Ever Witnessed:” Missionary Ridge - De Long Reservation – 2:30 p.m.
On the afternoon of Nov. 25, 1863, the Union Army of the Cumberland, without orders, charged up Missionary Ridge and dealt the Confederate Army of Tennessee the decisive blow in the campaign for Chattanooga. Join Park Ranger Gerry Allen for a 45 minute program on the top of Missionary Ridge to learn about the “Miracle at Missionary Ridge.” Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. This tour is held at the De Long Reservation on Missionary Ridge.
Schedule of events for Sunday, Nov. 22:
Point Park Guided Walking Tour – 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Explore the Campaign for Chattanooga from the perspective of Union and Confederate troops as they struggled for control of the “Gateway to the Deep South.” This 45 minute walking tour begins inside the Point Park Entrance Gate.
“The Tallest Fighting I Was Ever In:” Lookout Mountain – 1 p.m.
On the morning of Nov. 24, 1863, General Joseph Hooker’s Union forces were ordered to make a “demonstration” against Confederate forces defending the slopes of Lookout Mountain. Join Park Volunteer Ansley Moses on a 90 minute walking tour of the “Battle Above the Clouds.” Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. This tour begins at the Cravens House parking lot.
Cleburne and Stevenson Defeat Sherman at Tunnel Hill - 1:30 p.m.
Park Historian Jim Ogden and U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Cumming's Brigade Historian Gerald Hodge will lead a two hour walking tour of the Tunnel Hill/Sherman Reservation area of the Missionary Ridge Battlefield looking at the ill-fated attacks by Union Major-General William Sherman on the carefully positioned and entrenched Confederates of Patrick Cleburne's and Carter Stevenson's divisions. We'll walk the ground to describe a portion of the Southern line and look at how the Confederates dealt with the series of Union attacks on Nov. 25, 1863. This program begins at the Sherman Reservation on Lightfoot Mill Road, just off Crest Road on Missionary Ridge.
“Senseless Exposure of Brave Men:” Ringgold Gap – 3 p.m.
On the morning of Nov. 27, 1863, Union forces under General
Joseph Hooker clashed with the rear guard of the Confederate Army led by General Patrick Cleburne at Ringgold Gap in a small but vicious engagement. Join Park Ranger Lee White on a 90 minute driving tour beginning at the Ringgold Depot, located at the intersection of U. S. Highway 41 and Depot Street in Ringgold, Georgia.
Living History Demonstrations:
“Without Producing the Slightest Result:” Artillery Demonstrations
Join Park Ranger Anton Heinlein and living historians portraying Confederate artillerymen to learn about the attempts and difficulties that Confederate artillerists faced during the Siege of Chattanooga, as well as, the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Artillery demonstrations will be conducted in historic Point Park, a unit of Lookout Mountain Battlefield.
Confederate Artillery Demonstrations
Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Sunday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
“Does the General Expect Us to Fly:” Union Infantry Demonstrations
Join Park Ranger Anton Heinlein and living historians portraying Union infantrymen to learn about the role of Union Infantry in the Nov. 24, 1863 Battle of Lookout Mountain. Infantry demonstrations will be conducted in historic Point Park, a unit of Lookout Mountain Battlefield.
Saturday at 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
Sunday at 10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
In case of inclement weather alternative programming will be offered inside the visitors center.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was established in 1890 by the veterans that fought here 145 years ago. The purpose of its establishment as stated in the enabling legislation is, “To preserve for historical and military study the sites of some of the most remarkable maneuvers and most brilliant fighting of the Civil War.”
Moccasin Bend National Archeological District was established in 2003. The purpose of its establishment as stated in the enabling legislation is, “In order to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of the public the national significant archeological and historic resources located on the peninsula known as Moccasin Bend, Tennessee, there is established as a unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District.”