At this time Sherman was in position to attack the right end of the
Confederate line. Thomas was in front of the center and Hooker was
opposite the left end. About 7:30 A. M., Sherman opened the battle
against the right end with heavy artillery fire. The Confederates of
Cleburne’s, Stevenson’s and Cheatham’s divisions were so strongly
entrenched that he was unable to drive them from their positions. About
10:30, Hooker was ordered forward across the Chattanooga Valley to
attack the left end. The Confederates had destroyed the bridge across
Chattanooga Creek and Hooker was delayed at least three hours in
reaching Rossville. He then moved via Rossville Gap against the
Confederate left. While these movements were being carried out by
Sherman and Hooker, Thomas was to charge out against the Confederate
rifle pits at the base of the ridge. With this latter movement it was
thought the Confederates would be drawn toward the center from both
ends, thereby giving Sherman and Hooker more chance of success toward
turning the ends. Some of Hooker’s troops crossed to the east side of
the ridge; some moved along the crest, and others remained on the west
side of the ridge. At 3:30 P. M., Thomas, with the troops which had
carried Orchard Knob on the 23rd, charged out against the Confederate
rifle pits. After a short battle, the Confederates started their retreat
up the ridge. Thomas’ men pursued without orders, both the Union and
Confederate troops reaching the crest of the ridge about the same time.
The Confederate artillery on top of the ridge was forced to fire high
since their own troops were between their artillery and the Union forces
which were following them. For at least two miles along the central
portion of the ridge, a severe hand-to-hand battle took place. Never in
the entire Civil War did troops fight any harder than they did at this
point. The casualties were heavy on both sides. Finally, the Confederate
center was broken in several places and the center and left end started
to retreat southward. At nightfall, Bragg ordered the right of the
Confederate line to withdraw and cover the general retreat. As the
Confederates were retreating, it is reported that their own artillery
was turned upon them. The Confederates moved south via Chickamauga
Station, Tennessee, thence to Ringgold, Georgia, where they stopped to
offer battle again on November 27th. They retreated to Dalton, Georgia,
where they went into winter quarters on December 1st. Gen. Bragg was
removed from his command the next day. Gen. Hardee was offered the
command but declined, although he accepted temporary charge until
December 16th. At that time Gen. Joseph E. Johnston assumed command—a
position he held until July 17, 1864, when he was replaced by Gen. John
B. Hood. The Union troops moved back to Chattanooga where they
entrenched their position and went into winter quarters, thus
successfully ending the Chattanooga campaign. The city remained in
possession of the Union army until the close of the war.
[Illustration: Confederate Battery atop Lookout Mountain]
It is estimated that Grant had 60,000 troops engaged in the battle of
Chattanooga. Bragg had approximately 40,000 troops. Of the 60,000 Union
troops, Sherman had 28,000; Thomas 22,000; Hooker 10,000. The casualties
for the three-day battle were: Union, 5,824; Confederate, 6,667.