| 140 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, THE 26TH OVVI... |
January 2003 ~ January, 1863 - The year 1863 began with the 26th OVI still in the midst of the Battle of Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as part of the Hascall's Brigade of Wood's Division of Crittenden's Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, under supreme command of General Rosecrans. Little fighting occurred on January 1, as each army tended to its wounded, recovered its dead, rethought its strategy, and tried to take a breather from the bloody engagement the day before. January 1, 1863 was a most significant day nonetheless. On this day, the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, became effective. No longer would the Union soldiers be fighting just to preserve the Union, but now they would be fighting to abolish slavery. Meanwhile, on January 1, the 26th OVI slept on their arms and remained at battle ready at the intersection of the Nashville Turnpike and McFadden's Lane where the day before, the regiment had defended so bravely that crucial area from repeated Confederate attacks. A Council of War was held that night by General Rosecrans, wherein the discussion was whether to remain and fight or retreat. The Union Army had been severely tested on Dec 31, but held. Now the Union had strong interior support lines and it still maintained control over the all important Nashville Turnpike. General George H Thomas summed up the decision with his famous statement, " I know of no better place to die." On January 2, the Battle renewed in deadly force again. The Confederate assault plan called for the main attack of the Union left flank at the area of McFadden's Ford. The 26th OVI, along with the Union center, was subjected to a barrage of artillery fire as part of a diversion attempt. The Confederate assault was repelled with heavy losses. The day ended with neither side still having achieved a clear advantage. The evening of January 3, General Bragg blinked first and withdrew his Confederate army southeastward away from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma, Tennessee. As a result, the Union claimed a technical victory, that had immense political implications. President Lincoln congratulated General Roscrans with the comment that his victory at Stones River was so important that he questioned whether the United States could have survived if the outcome had been otherwise. ( For context, the disasterous Union Army of the Potomac loss at Fredericksburg had taken place just 2 weeks earlier) The Battle of Stones River was a major battle by all accounts. The Union army suffered aggregate losses of twenty percent. The Union army had been severely tested, and bent almost to the breaking point; but the army did not break. The Battle of Stones River also represented the first major battle test for the 26th OVI; and the regiment passed the test with its heroic and stellar performance. After burying the dead on January 4, the Army of the Cumberland occupied Murfreesboro on January 5, with the seriously wounded cared for in various Murfreesboro homes, and the less seriously wounded transported back to Nashville. On January 9, the Army of the Cumberland was reorganized again into the 14th, 20th, and 21st Corps. The 26th OVI remained under General Thomas Crittenden's command with the 21st Corps, 1st Division under General Thomas Wood, and the First Brigade under General Milo Hascall. The Army encamped at Murfreesboro for the winter, and began resupplying and making plans for the spring and summer offensive campaigns. Middle Tennessee was now solidly in Union control, but the key objective was to assume control of Chattanooga. Chattanooga was the gateway to the deep south, and also the junction for several key southern railways and the Tennessee River. Major fortifications and forts were erected in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, including the still visible, Fortress Rosecrans in the southern part of city. February, 2003- May, 2003 ~ February, 1863- May, 1863 The 26th OVI remained in winter camp at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, assisting in the erecting of major defense fortifications and making plans for the Spring offensive. When not on other duty, the regiment would drill 4-6 hours daily. The regiment participated in foraging and scouting expeditions in an attempt to feel out the Confederate presence in the Middle Tennessee area. Throughout the spring, there were numerous skirmishes occurring as Confederate forces under command of General Van Dorn attempted to feel out Union positions. Most of these were skirmishes, though an action on April 9, 1863 at Franklin, Tennessee was a larger engagement. This "First Battle of Franklin" was just a prelude to the more widely known deadly large scale battle " Second Battle of Franklin" that many of the same regiments would participate in 20 months later on November 30, 1864. There is no current information to indicate the 26th OVI participated in the "First Battle of Franklin", as the 26th OVI was involved more in activity around the eastern sector of the Union positions, i.e. the Murfreesboro vicinity. June, 2003 ~ June, 1863 After encamping and fortifying for six months, General Rosescrans was finally ready to advance on General Bragg's forces whichwere in position north of the Duck River near Tullahoma, Tennessee. On June 23rd, the grand Army of the Cumberland left the Murfreesboro area and headed southeast. General Bragg's army was well spread out from McMinnville on the right flank to Spring Hill and Columbia on the left flank. Chattanooga was the Confederate armies base of operations with Tullahoma being the chief supply depot. Thus, General Rosecran's plan was to split the army and advance by different routes, though all movement would be southeastward towards Tullahoma. The mountainous terrain with few gaps contributed to his plan development. The 26th OVI, as part of General Crittenden's 21st Corps and General Wood's 1st Division, was positioned on the Confederates right flank. They advanced initially from Murfreesboro to Bradyville. The following day, the 21st Corps advanced to Holly Springs. From there, the movement was due south towards Manchester, over very difficult terrain, made even more difficult by heavy rains. At Manchester, the 21st Corps concentrated as well as joined forces with General McCook's 20th Corps. The 14th Corps, commanded by General George Thomas, also concentrated at Manchester on June 28th. On June 29th, the concentrated Army of the Cumberland began its advance on Tullahoma. The army moved to within 2 miles of the town. The following day, it was learned that General Bragg had abandoned his position at Tullahoma and retreated further southeast across the Cumberland Mountains towards Chattanooga. Though a pursuit was ordered, the pursuit was stymied by several swollen rivers and limited means to cross the rivers. The nearly bloodless Tullahoma Campaign was a success. The month ended with all of middle Tennessee in control by the Union forces; as had been the case nearly a year ago before General Bragg's advance into Kentucky and General Buell's Army of the Ohio pursuit after him. Chattanooga was once again the primary target, just had it had been a year ago for the Army of the Ohio. July, 2003 ~ July, 1863 On the national front, July, 1863 began with the sense that some major issues were going to be settled and settled soon. In the east, General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and The Army of the Potomac, under new commander, General George Meade, clashed in the titanic battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Union victory resulted in the Confederate army retreating back to Virginia. In the west, General Grant's two month long seige at Vicksburg, Mississippi ended on July 4th with the surrender of the city and the considerable Confederate forces there. Thus, in early July, the United States' forces had achieved two major triumphs, and was looking for the Army of the Cumberland to strike a third decisive blow by slicing thru the heart of the Deep South, starting at Chattanooga and onto Atlanta. In middle Tennessee, the Army of the Cumberland was involved in minor final skirmishes as part of its nearly bloodless triumph in the Tullahoma Campaign that resulted in pushing the Confederate Army of the Tennessee nearly completely out of the state of Tennessee, south of the Tennessee River and back to Chattanooga. The Lincoln Administration prodded General Rosecrans to follow up on his armies' success to date and advance on Chattanooga. The 26th OVI, as part of the First Division of the Twenty-First Corps, was involved in skirmishing around the Pelham, Tennessee vicinity in early July. The 26th OVI was stationed southeast of Tullahoma in the vicinity of Pelham and Hillsboro, Tennessee on the western slope of the Cumberland Mountains. General Rosecrans foresaw multiple obstacles and logistical problems that an attack on the Confederate forces concentrated at Chattanooga. The mountainous terrain was very difficult to traverse with little foraging available. He insisted on delaying any further advance until all possible preparations had been made including the transfer of needed provisions from Louisville to Nashville and onto Tullahoma. Though the War Department was not pleased, there was nothing they could do except provide him what he needed and wait for action. { A well known axiom of war is for military leaders not to order attacks when the field commanders are skeptical of success. } As July came to a close, the regiment and the Army of the Cumberland awaited orders on its next advance. August, 2003 ~ August, 1863 On August 16th, General Rosecrans deemed that supplies and preparations were adequate for a formidable advance to battle the Army of Tennessee at Chattanooga. On this date, the Army of the Cumberland began its advance toward General Bragg's Army of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The advance was similar in design to the Tullahoma campaign with the Army split by Corps advancing in different directions. The 26th OVI , commanded by youthful Colonel William H Young, as part the First Brigade under Colonel George Buell ( no relation to General Don Carlos Buell) , of the first Division under General Thomas J. Wood, of the 21st Corps, under General Thomas L. Crittenden, took the most northernly route. The First Division advanced from Hillsboro and Pelham over the Cumberland mountains into the Sequatchie valley at Therman ( located just south of the present day of Dunlap). The advance of the 21st Corps in this manner was intended to conceal the larger advance of the 14th and 20th Corps by a more southernly direction. The 21st Corps engaged in menacing demonstrations to further give the impression of a likely assault from the north of the Tennessee River. Thus, it was hoped General Bragg would surmise the primary advance on Chattanooga would be from the north. The advance of the largest part of the Union army south of Chattanooga would put the army south of Bragg's army, effectively cutting him off from his supply route from Atlanta and surrounding the Army of Tennessee. The deception worked. The 14th and 20th Corps found no resistance at Bridgeport, Ala where they crossed the Tennessee River. The 21st Corps moved slowly due south after entering the Sequatchie valley towards Shell Mound, Tennessee. The Army of the Cumberland began crossing the Tennessee River on August 29th. By the end of the month, most of the Army of the Cumberland was now on the south side of the Tennessee River, and just a short distance west of Chattanooga. However, the 26th OVI, as part of the 21st Corps was still just north of the river in the Sequatchie Valley continuing the deceptive demonstrations. ( Kelly and VanHorne, Buell's Official Report) September, 2003 ~ September, 1863 Webmaster's note: September, 1863 was a very busy month for the 26th OVI, and a month in which it would be severely tested both as a regiment and as each soldier. Rather than the usual monthly synopsis, we will highlight dates in September, 1863 of especial importance. (For detailed accounts, please read the official reports found on the Chickamauga page of the Major Engagements section.) September 2nd- At 11 pm on September 2nd, the 26th OVI crossed the Tennessee River in flatboats at Shellmound. By 6:00 am the next morning, Buell's Brigade was completely across the river. ?September 5th- The 26th OVI, as part of the 21st Corps had now fully crossed the Tennessee River at Shell Mound and was just a few miles west of Chattanooga. At 2 pm, the 26th OVI had the honor of leading the 21st Corps as it advanced in column on an easterly path, up river, towards Whiteside's Junction and around the base of Lookout Mountain on its move towards Chattanooga. Pickets and skirmishers from Company E were deployed in advance to alert to Confederate opposition that was highly anticipated. The skirmish line extended up the steep slope of Lookout Mountain to the upper palisade area. The advance was made very cautiously and in concert with the movement of the 14th and 20th Corps who were moving south along the Lookout Mountain Valley. September 6th- Slight skirmishing was encountered as the 21st Corps continued its slow and cautious advance towards Chattanooga. In the afternoon, Buell's Brigade took a position in line of battle at the junction of the Nashville, Chattanooga and Trenton railroad. When it was determined this position was in danger of being flanked without any support from the rear, the brigade moved back two miles to a position it could more easily defend. September 9th- As Buell's brigade rounded Lookout Mountain, it encountered a picket force that was soon dislodged, and the brigade continued its advance. Still leading the 21st Corps column, the 26th OVI was the first infantry regiment to enter Chattanooga at noon on this date. The 26th OVI was honored to be the first to set foot in Chattanooga, a most monumental occasion. Finally, after nearly a year of trying, the Gateway to the Deep South was in Union hands. They found the city void of confederate troops, as the Confederate army had retreated from Chattanooga a day or so before, after General Bragg determined that the advance of the Union Army was designed to trap him and cut him off from his supply route from Atlanta. Thus, the Confederate army moved southward and set up their new operations at Lafayette, Georgia. ( approximately 25 miles due south of Chattanooga.) The 26th OVI did patrol duty in the town of Chattanooga resulting in the taking of many prisoners. September 10th- The 26th OVI moved southward through the Rossville Gap in pursuit of Bragg's retreating army. They proceeded on the road leading from Rossville to Ringgold, and encamped on the east side of the Chickamauga Creek. That evening, Confederate Cavalry ( likely under Forrest's command) made a quick assault that was repeled easily. September 11th- At 4 pm, Buell's Brigade was ordered to advance towards the Lafayette Road by way of Reed's Bridge, and then south on the Lafayette Road to Lee and Gordon's Mill on the right bank of the Chickamauga Creek. Buell's brigade assumed the right flank with Harker's brigade assuming the left flank. September 12th thru September 18th- The 26th OVI remained encamped on the west side of the West Chickamauga Creek at Lee and Gordon's Mill. Their encampment was on a slight elevation overlooking the Mill. The regiment engaged in daily skirmishing with Confederate Cavalry and skirmishers. It was becoming increasingly clear that the Confederate Army had ceased its retreat and it was preparing to battle in and around Lee and Gordon's Mill. September 13th- Though efforts were underway to reunite the three corps of the Army of the Cumberland, the corps still were too far apart to support each other in the case of an attack. General Bragg understood this, and ordered General Leonidas Polk to attack Wood's Division at Lee and Gordon's Mill. However, due to poor communication, General Polk was delayed getting organized for the attack, until the opportunity was lost. General Polk was apparently less optimistic for success than General Bragg. This planned attack was unbeknownst to General Crittenden and the rest of the 21st Corps. In an interesting history exercise of " what if", had General Leonidas Polk attacked , the attack would likely had been successful due to the great dispartity in the relative strength of the opposing forces that day, and the 21st Corps may have been turned southward toward McElmore's Cove leading possibly to the routing of a large portion of the Army of the Cumberland . September 18th- In the afternoon, slight skirmishing and cannonading occurred as large forces of Confederate troops were observed marching northeastward to the left of the 26th OVI position. September 19th- The first day of the battle of Chickamauga began towards the northeast of Lee and Gordon's Mill on the union left flank, commanded by General George Thomas. The sound of battle could be clearly heard and seemed to becoming southward and closer as the day progressed. At 2:30 pm, the 26th OVI, as part of Buell's brigade was ordered at the double quick up the Lafayette Road toward the battle. At the Viniard Field, located 2 miles north of Lee and Gordon's Mill, the brigade formed in a parallel line to the road on the east side of the road. The brigade was formed in two lines, approximately 75 yards apart, with the 26th OVI on the left flank in the first line. The 26th OVI was positioned in thick woods at the time. As Captain Welden Kelly noted, "The place was strange to us. A line of our men was supposed to be in our front and extending to our left. The underbrush of and under the timber prevented us from seeing more than a short distance." The other regiments of Buell's brigade included the 100th Illinois, 58th Indiana, 13th Michigan, and the 8th Indiana Battery. The 26th OVI was ordered to fix bayonets, lie down and hold fire. Suddenly, other Union forces under General Heg on the left of Buell's brigade began running in panic literally over and through the 26th OVI's position. Following the retreating Union troops were charging Confederate forces. The Confederate forces were the 15th, 20th, 17th and 2nd Georgia regiments of Brigadier General Henry L. Benning's Brigade and the 1st, 4th, 5th Texas and 3rd Arkansas regiments of Brigadier General Jerome B Robertson's Brigade. These forces were part of Brigadier General E. McIver Law's command of John Bell Hood's former Division, as part of the 1st Corps under Lieutenant General James Longstreet that had traveled from Virginia as part of General Robert E Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The objective was to reinforce of the Army of the Tennessee in its attempt to prevent the Army of the Cumberland from penetrating any further into the Deep South. These same Confederate forces had recently fought valiantly on July 2nd at Gettysburg at Little Round Top, Devil's Den, and the Peach Orchard.. The Confederates fired off the first volley into the line. Buell's brigade was ordered to make a bayonet charge. What ensued was hand to hand combat in a very chaotic situation. It was estimated by Colonel Buell that the 26th OVI lost nearly half of its forces at the time of this first attack. The 26th OVI tried to hold its position but was being flanked, so it moved back across the Lafayette Road to a fence that paralled the road on the west side. This position also proved untenable as it was taking on more casualties, so the 26th moved back to a ditch or gully approximately 100 yards further west in the west Viniard field. Colonel Young rallied the 26th OVI at this point, and a counter attack was ordered. As the 26th OVI moved back across the Lafayette Road, Captain Ross of company C, and Lts Burbridge and Williams were killed and Lt. Shotwell was wounded along with many enlisted soldiers. The counter attacked stalled after gaining back their original position and retaking possession of 3 lost pieces of artillery. The 26th was forced to retreat back first to the ditch and then across the west Viniard Field to the woods at the west edge in the face of what Colonel Buell described as an " avalanche" of Confederate forces. Again, the 26th OVI and the rest of Buell's brigade, rallied and charged forward to the east again across the west Viniard Field to the Lafayette Road, retaking ground to their initial position. For a third time, the Confederate forces attacked across the east Viniard Field.This final attack was repulsed more easily, and as the sun finally settled in the west, the 26th OVI and Buell's brigade assumed a position slighty in advance ( to the east) of their original position in the east Viniard Field and the woods directly north. Colonel Buell estimated that over 100 wounded Union forces were removed from the ditch that was just to the west of the Lafayette Road. As night came, the 26th OVI took the position on the right of the brigade in the front line. The men were ordered to rest on their arms, as the chilly night descended upon the bloody Viniard field. A temporary truce was called and soldiers from both sides mixed as they tried to tend to the wounded and remove the wounded to field hospitals. A? cavalry man from each company was dispatched to Crawfish Springs to fill canteens to quench the thirst of the wounded. This day was to be the bloodiest day of the entire war for the 26th OVI. More 26th OVI blood was shed and men killed at Viniard Field than any other location throughout the war. In addition to the killed and wounded that totalled over 150, the 26th OVI lost many nearly 40 soldiers who were captured during the intense back and forth fighting.. It is not surprising and entirely appropriate, that the largest and most beautiful monument erected in honor of the 26th OVI at any battle site , is located just to the east of the Lafayette Road, and just north of the Viniard Field. Captain Kelly makes a dramatic plea in his History , "Go view the fields, ye good people of Morrow County (Ohio)! Stand by that monument erected by the great State of Ohio, to the memory of the 26th, 212 of whom fell in that bloody battle, three-fourths of them undoubtedly on the Vineyard (sic) Farm, and then, but a few yards away, see the one erected by the State of Georgia in memory of the 20th regiment infantry , CSA..." September 20th- At 3 am, the 26th OVI and the rest of Buell's brigade was ordered away from Viniard field ( with skirmishers to follow at dawn) to a position on the west side of Dry Valley Road, just north of the Widow Glenn House, where General Rosecrans had his headquarters and a council of war was conducted around midnight. The decision was to stay and fight. . The 26th OVI were able to fix rations and heat up some coffee. At 9 am, Buell's brigade was ordered eastward to a position in woods located on the west side of the Brotherton field where the Brotherton cabin was situated. They took a position behind temporary works of rails and logs. Again, the brigade was formed into two lines of battle with the 26th OVI again taking postion in the front line. A skirmish line approximately 75 yards in front. Buell's brigade was on the right flank of the Union army at this point, awaiting the arrival of McCook's Division on their right. Heavy skirmishing began to their front and right, and the regiments in the rear line were ordered to the right of the front line. Thus, Buell's brigade was now stretched in just one line of defense over appoximately a 1/4 mile line. Unbeknownst to them, the Confederate forces hiding in the woods directly to the east and across the Lafayette road were organized in a massive column formation two brigades wide and four brigades deep. General James Longstreet, who had arrived late the night before, had made this arrangement to impact a ramrod effect using over 23,000 soldiers.. The 26th OVI was ordered to advance towards the Brotherton cabin after the 100th Illinois had advanced without orders. The 100th Illinois soon retreated suffering casualties under a masked artillery and heavy infantry assault. The 26th OVI returned to its position on the edge of the woods. At 11 am, General Wood received the "fatal order" from General Rosecrans ordering his 1st Division to pull out of its present position at Brotherton Field and advanced to the left ( north) to support General Reynolds forces believing a gap in the line existed there. However, there was no gap and no need to support Reynolds. General Brannon's division was located exactly where it had been assigned; to the right of Reynolds. The thick brush hid them from being observed from the Glenn-Kelly Road. However, General Rosecrans believed that General Brannon's division was not where it should have been, and that there was a gap in the line. The single sentence order that changed the outcome of the battle so dramatically stated simply: September 20- 10:45 am. Brigadier-General Wood, Commanding Division The General commanding directs that you close up on Reynolds as fast as possible, and support him. Respectfully, etc. Frank S. Bond, Major and Aide-de-?Camp At 11:30 am, with only a skirmish line held back, the 1st Division started to pull out and move northward with Buell's Brigade the last to pull out. Thus, in effect, creating a real gap in the Union line directly in front of the Longstreet's massive column formation. Suddenly, the right side of the brigade was hit the a massive Confederate ramrod force that had broken through both north and south of the Brotherton cabin ( the same area just vacated by General Wood's division). This incredible and tragic coincidence provided the Confederates with enomous momentum that spurred on the routing of the Union right flank and center positions. As part of the end of the colum then in motion, the 26th OVI was hit hard on the flank and from the side. Though, likely in a state of confusion, the 26th OVI attempted to rally and take a stand in the southern part of the Dyer Field. However, the intensity of the Confederate onslaught forced them further northwestward. The 26th OVI then took at position on the slope of a hill at the northwestern edge of Dyer Field. They were postioned in front of a Union battery on the crest. ( A granite monument sits alone on this slope marking the 26th OVI position at noon.) However, the Confederate onslaught was too overwhelming and the 26th OVI and the batteries were soon flanked. At this point, the 26th OVI retreated under command of Colonels Young and Buell northwestward to another hill. ( most likely this was the southern part of Horseshoe Ridge that is connected to Snodgrass Hill.) From here the pressing Confederate forces, forced the 26th OVI to scatter and some retreated with Colonel Young due westward to the Dry Valley Road and onto to Rossville, while others of the 26th OVI who were with Colonel Buell moved due northward to Snodgrass Hill and joined Union forces who were attempting to make a defensive stand. The heroic and desperate stand on Horseshoe Ridge and Snodgrass Hill that hot afternoon likely saved the Army of the Cumberland and it earned the only senior commander remaining on the battlefield, Major General George H. Thomas, the title of the " Rock of Chickamauga." As dusk came, the Union forces slowly disengaged from Snodgrass Hill and moved northward toward Rossville, where they arrived around 11 pm. The Battle of Chickamauga was finally over, and it represented the only major victory for the Confederates in the Western Theater. According to Colonel Buell's report, his brigade started the battle with a force of 1,445 soldiers. His forces suffered 633 casualties or 44%. The 26th OVI suffered the most of any in his Brigade. The 26th OVI entered the Battle of Chickamauga with a force of 354, and suffered 213 casualties or 60%. The casualties included 28 killed, 139 wounded and 43 captured. Most of the casualties occurring on the 19th at Viniard Field. In examining the casualties by Company, the color company, Co C suffered the highest percentage of casualties, 28 out of 39 or an incredible 71%. September 21st- . General Buell's brigade was ordered to take a defensive position on Missionary Ridge against a possible renewed attack by the Confederate forces. When it became clear there would be no attack, at 10 pm, Buell's Brigade was ordered to fall back to Chattanooga. September 22nd to 30th- The union forces built formidable entrenchments including forts and breastworks encirling Chattanooga and environs. The 26th OVI assumed a position on the east part of town at a fort they helped build called Fort Wood. As General Buell said, " We are intrenched and can hold our works forever." General Bragg of the Army of the Tennessee must have felt the same way as he determined not to attempt a frontal assault, but rather to lay siege to the Union forces in the town and to cut off their supply lines. In short, his plan was to encircle them, seal them off and starve them into submission. Thus began the siege of Chattanooga. On September 28th, 21st Corps Commander Thomas L Crittenden was relieved of his command along with 20th Corps Commander Alexander Mc Cook for their fleeing the field of battle on September 20th after the breakthrough at Brotherton Field. Both were ordered to Indianapolis for a Court of Inquiry into their actions. The 20th and 21st Corps were merged into a new 4th Corps under command of General Gordon Granger. As September, 1863 finally came to a close, the 26th OVI found itself besieged in Chattanooga subsisting on dwindling rations, its ranks severely reduced by the casualties at Chickamauga. As the Army of the Cumberland was reorganized, the 26th OVI was now in the 4th Corps commanded by General Gordon Granger; 2nd Division, commanded by General Phillip D Sheridan; and 2nd Brigade commanded by General George D Wagner. Colonel William H Young remained in command of the regiment. Note: The Battle of Chickamauga was a convincing tactical victory for the Confederacy. But it was not a startegic victory. The Confederates' massive reinforcement of the Army of the Tennessee with the top corps from Lee's Army as well as paroled soldiers from Vicksburg, speaks clearly to the importance Richmond placed in preventing the Army of the Cumberland from advancing any further, the need to destroy the Army if at all possible,and espcially, the need to retake Chattanooga. The largest troop transfer by the Confederates of the entire war speaks to this; the Confederates gave it their best shot. The Confederates had a numerical advantage of between 10,000 and 15,000 soldiers when the battle began. General Bragg's strategic plan was consistent with the Confederates' objective. His plan had been to assault from the north and drive the Union forces southward away from Chattanooga and into McLemore's Cove to trap and destroy them there; the opposite occurred. The Confederate breakthrough towards the southern center drove the Union forces northward back towards Chattanooga. Thus, the Union forces still ended up holding the key city of Chattanooga. All that seemed to be accomplished was to trap the Union Army in a fortified position and to delay any attempt to invade the deep South. The psychological and morale impact though, cannot be under estimated. After the Union successes at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the Confederates had a major victory of their own, and Southern hopes were rekindled. Now all they had to do was maintain a tight seige and starve the Army of the Cumberland into surrender or retreat. |
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| April, 1861 through December, 1862 |
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