AUGUST 16, 1863:
The Union
Army of The Cumberland begins a general advance designed to flank the Confederate
Army of Tennessee, still encamped around Lookout Mountain after being defeated
in the Tullahoma Campaign on July 4th. If the Union can flank the Confederacy,
the Army of Tennessee will find their supply lines cut, thus forcing them to
retreat deeper into Georgia. Unfortunately for the Union, the Tullahoma
Campaign was remarkably bloodless on both sides, and the Rebels have had a
month-and-a-half so far to regroup and resupply. Many of Pemberton’s paroled
men from Vicksburg have “illegally” swelled Confederate numbers, and the Grays
are spoiling for a fight, one which becomes the first major Civil War battle
fought in Georgia---the Battle of Chickamauga.
