Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Civil War in Tennessee
Controlling the River and Rails
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 23, 2011
1. Civil War in Tennessee Marker
Inscription.
Civil War in Tennessee. Controlling the River and Rails. Controlling the river and railroad junction at Chattanooga was important to both North and South during the war. As a Confederate general noted, Chattanooga "commands important passes into Georgia and Alabama, and would enable the enemy ... to cut off completely the communications between eastern and western parts of this State." , Union forces advanced from Middle Tennessee in the summer of 1863, took control of Chattanooga, and marched into Georgia in September. Defeated at the Battle of Chickamauga, about eight miles south of the Tennessee border (Exit 1), the Union army retreated to Chattanooga, which the Confederate army besieged. Separate Federal attacks on November 24-25 pushed Confederate forces from Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge (Exit 3) and into Georgia. , In 1863-1864, Union soldiers built new fortifications along the region's rivers and rails. They constructed Fort Hill overlooking the railroad in Cleveland (Exit 20) and converted a brick depot in Niota (Exit 56) into a temporary fort. On the Hiwassee River at Charleston (Exit 33), they converted an old post from the 1830s Trail of Tears into a temporary headquarters. , Follow the routes of the armies along the Tennessee Civil War Trails. Colorful markers at each stop tell the story of the war's interesting people, places, and events. A free map guide to the Tennessee Trails network is available in the Welcome Center. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the beauty and history of the Tennessee Civil War Trails.
Controlling the river and railroad junction at Chattanooga was important to both North and South during the war. As a Confederate general noted, Chattanooga "commands important passes into Georgia and Alabama, and would enable the enemy ... to cut off completely the communications between eastern and western parts of this State."
Union forces advanced from Middle Tennessee in the summer of 1863, took control of Chattanooga, and marched into Georgia in September. Defeated at the Battle of Chickamauga, about eight miles south of the Tennessee border (Exit 1), the Union army retreated to Chattanooga, which the Confederate army besieged. Separate Federal attacks on November 24-25 pushed Confederate forces from Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge (Exit 3) and into Georgia.
In 1863-1864, Union soldiers built new fortifications along the region's rivers and rails. They constructed Fort Hill overlooking the railroad in Cleveland (Exit 20) and converted a brick depot in Niota (Exit 56) into a temporary fort. On the Hiwassee River at Charleston (Exit 33), they converted an old post from the 1830s Trail of Tears into a temporary headquarters.
Follow the routes of the armies along the Tennessee Civil War Trails. Colorful markers at each stop tell the story of the war's interesting people, places, and events. A free map guide
Click or scan to see this page online
to the Tennessee Trails network is available in the Welcome Center. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the beauty and history of the Tennessee Civil War Trails.
Erected by the Tennessee Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1931.
Location. 34° 59.781′ N, 85° 12.403′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. Marker is on Interstate 75 north of Ringgold Road (U.S. 76), on the right when traveling north. This historical marker is located on the grounds of a Tennessee Rest Area / Welcome Center, on north bound Interstate 75, just north of the Tennessee - Georgia state line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37412, United States of America. Touch for directions.
A close-up view of the inset map showing the locations of several historical sites in the downtown Chattanooga area.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 23, 2011
4. Civil War in Tennessee Marker
A close-up view of the historical marker's illustration of a pontoon bridge crossing the Tennessee River at Chattanooga, TN.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 23, 2011
5. Civil War in Tennessee Marker
View of the historical marker on the grounds of the Tennessee Rest Area / Welcome Center.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 23, 2011
6. Civil War in Tennessee Marker
View of the historical marker situated in front of the Rest Area / Welcome Center's vending building.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 23, 2011
7. Civil War in Tennessee Marker
View of the historical marker situated along the side of the Rest Area / Welcome Center building.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,298 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.