NOVEMBER 24, 1863:
The
Battle of Chattanooga (Day Two):
Also known as “The Battle of Lookout Mountain” and “The
Battle Above The Clouds,” this battle pitted 12,000 Union troops against a
force of only 1,200 Confederates on the mountain itself. Lookout Mountain,
known for its famous rising fogs, is frequently hidden in the mists, and the
Union force was able to use the mist as cover in approaching the Confederate
line. Given the steepness of the mountain, artillery was of little use, but the
overwhelming numbers of Federals battered the Confederate force viciously. As
the day progressed, the thick fog cleared from the summit of Lookout Mountain,
and this clear air above the mists allowed the two sides to engage in open,
pitched battle. The Confederates were overrun in the late afternoon.
