After the laundry was done, the rain stopped although the next wave was forecast to come through later in the afternoon and be more extensive. We still wanted to see Lookout Mountain though, so after lunch at the nearby Cracker Barrel, we drove up the mountain instead of taking the railway. The rain started again as we arrived on top and by the time we left, is was coming down pretty good, but again no thunder and lightning. The view from the mountain was mostly obscured by the low clouds but we were able to get a glimpse here-and-there of Chattanooga and the surrounding river valley.
The area we visited on the mountain is called Point Park, part of the Chattanooga and Chickamauga National Military Park. It is on the north end of the park and has excellent views of the surrounding area (when the weather is clear). The rest of the mountain is mostly residential with many expensive-looking homes. There are also several tourist attractions besides the Incline Railway, including Ruby Falls, Rock City, and a Civil War battle show, a digital projection of the battle with an adjoining Civil War Relic and Weapon Collection. All charge admission and are mostly tourist oriented.
The Battle for Lookout Mountain was part of the Battle for Chattanooga and is known as the "Battle Above the Clouds". It was fought in November 1863 after the breakout of the Union forces from the city during the siege by the Confederates. The siege had followed the Union defeat at Chickamauga in September.
From early October through Late November, the Confederates occupied all the high ground and had the City surrounded. In late October, the Union forces, now under General Grant, successfully opened a supply route into the city. On November 24th, Union troops under Gen Joseph Hooker swept the Confederates off Lookout Mountain in a battle fought mostly above clouds covering the valley below.
The Confederates then withdrew to Missionary Ridge where the next great battle of the campaign was fought. It was marked by the famous charge up the ridge without orders by veterans of General Thomas' 14th Corp, seeking revenge for their defeat at Chickamauga. The daring charge drove the Confederates off the ridge causing their army to retreat south towards Atlanta. The Union victory was one of the most decisive of the war, opening up the gateway to the South's industrial heartland and cutting off major supply and transportation routes for them.
From early October through Late November, the Confederates occupied all the high ground and had the City surrounded. In late October, the Union forces, now under General Grant, successfully opened a supply route into the city. On November 24th, Union troops under Gen Joseph Hooker swept the Confederates off Lookout Mountain in a battle fought mostly above clouds covering the valley below.
The Confederates then withdrew to Missionary Ridge where the next great battle of the campaign was fought. It was marked by the famous charge up the ridge without orders by veterans of General Thomas' 14th Corp, seeking revenge for their defeat at Chickamauga. The daring charge drove the Confederates off the ridge causing their army to retreat south towards Atlanta. The Union victory was one of the most decisive of the war, opening up the gateway to the South's industrial heartland and cutting off major supply and transportation routes for them.
After driving down the mountain we headed back to the RV park SE of town, joining the congested traffic on I-24, the connector route at the convergence of major interstate highways connecting Birmingham, Nashville, Knoxville and Atlanta. Chattanooga was, and still, is a major transportation hub.
We had a light dinner in the RV and retired early after a busy day. It was a good visit despite the rain and it was great to see the battlefields that played such an important role in the Civil War. The RV park was also a good choice. It had all the accommodations we needed and even a monument to a Union regiment placed by veterans that were encamped here during the Battle of Chickamauga.
Like many battlefields such as Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, a lot of encroachment and development occurred after the war that precluded preservation of the battlefields for future generations. Historical preservation of these battlegrounds is an important part of our national heritage and helps recognize and help understand the sacrifices made by so many in support of their cause during the Civil War. It was good that the Chickamauga Battlefield has been preserved before it was plowed under and developed. It is a lasting monument to the many men who fought and died here and the ferocious battle that occurred.
Like many battlefields such as Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, a lot of encroachment and development occurred after the war that precluded preservation of the battlefields for future generations. Historical preservation of these battlegrounds is an important part of our national heritage and helps recognize and help understand the sacrifices made by so many in support of their cause during the Civil War. It was good that the Chickamauga Battlefield has been preserved before it was plowed under and developed. It is a lasting monument to the many men who fought and died here and the ferocious battle that occurred.
Tomorrow, we drive up towards Nashville then down the Natchez Trace as we continue our history tour on the way home.
