November 26, 1863---The First Thanksgiving

NOVEMBER 26, 1863:       

The first national Thanksgiving Day dawns in the North with news of the victory at Chattanooga. The holiday is observed in different ways in different places. In the Northeast and in bigger cities, the traditional annual feast is inaugurated. Numerous locales hold special church services. Even in areas of the restored South, Unionists celebrate and a handful of Confederates celebrate perforce, fearing retaliation if they do not.

 

There is no standard celebration for the military. Observation varies widely from unit to unit, from nothing other than the usual rations to elaborate feasts for the men. Turkey becomes the standard fare. Many Union troopers write home about the new holiday:

We observed it by having chicken & some few other nice things for dinner

Went to town, heard an excellent discourse by an army chaplain at the Presbyterian church; no drill today

Issued three fine apples to every man

Rations for Thanksgiving, consisting of Chickens, Turkey &c.

A surprise party here. A choice Thanksgiving Dinner: Roast Turkey; Chicken & pigeon & Oysters Stewed.

I had a good dinner of Baked Chicken & Pudding Boiled potatoes, Turnip, Apple butter, cheese Butter, Tea & trimmings . . . we live well Enough, but cannot Eat Much without being sick.

November 25, 1863---The Battle of Missionary Ridge

NOVEMBER 25, 1863:       

The Battle of Chattanooga      (Day Three):           

Also known as the Battle of Missionary Ridge, this battle broke the back of the Confederate offensive that had started at Chickamauga two months earlier.   

The Union set a three-pronged attack.  On the Union left, General William T. Sherman began an assault on Missionary Ridge. In difficult fighting, the Confederates managed to hold on to their position. On the Union right, forces advanced slowly from Lookout Mountain against little resistance. At the Union center, there was confusion. Some Union troops received orders only to take the Confederate rifle pits at the base of the ridge, while others received orders that they were to advance to the top of the Ridge. Likewise, some of the Confederates heard that they were to hold the pits, while others thought they were to retreat to the top of the Ridge.

 

As a result, Confederate troops withdrew just where and as Union troops advanced, essentially handing the Union a victory. Due to the confused troop movements, Confederates holding the crest of the Ridge could not fire on the Union troops without hitting their own men. Seeing the Confederates immobilized, the Union center moved forward aggressively, and the Confederate line collapsed. The Confederate forces withdrew completely from Missionary Ridge on November 26^th.

The Confederates suffered some 6,600 men killed, wounded, and missing, and the Union lost around 5,800. But, after Chickamauga and two months of siege, southeastern Tennessee was secured for the Union.

Following this defeat, General Braxton Bragg C.S.A. pulled his troops away from Chattanooga. Fighting rearguard actions at Ringgold Gap and Cat Creek over the next several days, Bragg’s men were able to bloody the pursuing Union troops. While this boosted Southern morale slightly, it could not counterbalance Bragg’s loss of Chattanooga. He resigned shortly thereafter, having lost the confidence of his army.