What Dates Did the Battle of Chattanooga Take Place?

The Battle of Chattanooga occurred over three days from November 23 to 25, 1863, during the American Civil War. Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant defeated Confederate troops occupying the city, breaking a siege that had strangled the Union army and opening a supply route south. The battle is remembered as a turning point that enabled Sherman's later Atlanta Campaign.

Context: Why the Battle Mattered

By autumn 1863, the Union Army of the Cumberland, commanded by General William Rosecrans, was trapped in Chattanooga after losing the Battle of Chickamauga in September. Confederate General Braxton Bragg's army held the high ground surrounding the city and controlled the supply lines, starving the Union garrison. Rosecrans was replaced by Grant, who arrived in October with orders to break the siege and secure Chattanooga as a base for advancing into Georgia.

Grant reorganized his forces and brought in fresh troops under General Sherman from the Army of the Tennessee. He also repositioned General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker's corps from Virginia. The plan was to attack Confederate positions from multiple directions simultaneously, exploiting weaknesses Grant had identified in Bragg's defensive line.

The Three Days of Fighting

November 23: The battle opened with what Union soldiers called the "Battle Above the Clouds." Rosecrans' army advanced from Chattanooga and attacked Orchard Knob, a hill between the city and the Confederate line. After heavy fighting, Union troops secured this position, establishing a foothold closer to the Confederate works on Missionary Ridge.

November 24: Hooker's corps attacked from the west, storming up Lookout Mountain in fog so thick that soldiers could barely see fifty feet ahead. The dramatic terrain, combined with the weather conditions, led to this engagement being called the Battle Above the Clouds. Hooker's success on November 24 turned the Union left flank and forced Bragg to weaken his center.

November 25: Grant ordered a frontal assault on Missionary Ridge, the main Confederate defensive position. Despite orders to take only the first line of rifle pits, Union troops surged forward with such momentum that they continued all the way up the ridge, overrunning Confederate artillery and causing a collapse of Bragg's center. The Confederate army retreated toward Georgia, ending the siege.

What Happened to Chattanooga After the Battle

The Union occupation of Chattanooga for the remaining war years transformed it into a major supply and logistics hub. The city became the primary staging point for Sherman's 1864 Atlanta Campaign. Rail lines were repaired and expanded, making Chattanooga one of the most important Union-controlled cities in the Western Theater. The battle's outcome also secured East Tennessee for the Union, a strategically valuable region.

Casualties were substantial: Union forces lost approximately 5,800 men killed, wounded, or captured; Confederate forces lost around 6,600. These numbers reflected the intensity of fighting on three separate fronts with difficult terrain.

Where to Learn More About the Battle

The Hunter Museum of American Art occupies a mansion overlooking Lookout Mountain and holds Civil War artifacts and period rooms. The Chattanooga area also contains several preserved battlefield sites, including portions of Missionary Ridge visible from the city. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) maintains some historical markers and viewpoints related to the fighting. For specific details on visiting battlefield locations, hours, or any admission fees, contact the Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau directly rather than relying on outdated online sources, as site access and hours can change seasonally.

Legacy in Chattanooga Today

The battle shaped Chattanooga's post-war identity as a transportation and industrial center. The Union Army's need for supplies and infrastructure during the occupation accelerated railroad development. Local street names, monuments, and plaques throughout downtown Chattanooga reference Civil War events. The battle is also commemorated annually in November, with historical reenactments and educational events drawing visitors interested in Civil War history. Understanding the three-day fight helps explain why Chattanooga became such a significant Southern city during Reconstruction and beyond.