Today the Chattanooga Campaign begins. Straddling the Georgia border, the town is strategic for both the Confederacy and the Union, the latter of which has held the town for over two months.
Union forces, however, are confined to the city as Confederates control the mountains to the southwest and east, effectively blockading the Tennessee River below and besieging their Northern counterparts in the city.
Nonetheless, some 17,000 recently arrived Union reinforcements under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman provide the United States Army with an opportunity to push the rebels from their high ground. Thus the offensive begins, continuing for three days. Orchard Knob between Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge falls today. On the morrow, the rebels are driven from their positions on Lookout Mountain, while Missionary Ridge is taken on the third day.
On November 26 the Confederates begin retreating toward Dalton, Georgia. Union General Ulysses S. Grant orders a pursuit, but the following day calls off the effort due to losses in the Battle of Ringgold Gap and a fear of advancing too far away from his supply line.
Retrenching in mountainous area in and around Dalton, the Confederates, although demoralized, determine to make another stand.
As in many battles thus far, Baptist churches serve as hospitals for the wounded. Several Baptist church buildings in Chattanooga, including the facilities of First Baptist Church, have been appropriated by Union forces since their September occupation of the city. Meanwhile, the First Baptist Church of Dalton serves as a hospital for Confederate soldiers. Hundreds of soldiers are treated within the two church buildings during the fall months.
Sources: Chattanooga Campaign (link) and (link); “The History of the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga,” First Baptist Church Chattanooga, Tennessee (link); “Our History,” First Baptist Church Dalton, Georgia (link)
