First Union Occupation of the City

First Union Occupation of the City. . , Chattanooga was evacuated by the Confederates September 7 and 8, 1863. On the morning of September 9, 1863, the 92nd Illinois Mounted Infantry, Colonel Smith D. Atkins, commanding, detached from General Wilder's Brigade, marched at 3 a.m. from Trenton, Georgia under orders from General J.J. Reynolds to proceed to Chattanooga. Picketts left to observe the movements of the Union forces, were encountered in the vicinity of Wauhatchie and skirmishing with these continued about the northern slope of Lookout Mountain., The command reached the Union railroad depot at 10 o'clock, and the colors of the Regiment were placed on the Crutchfield House (now the Read) and scouting parties were sent toward Rossville to observe the movements of the Confederate rear guard. The infantry brigades of Colonel Buell and Harker and of General T.J. Wood's Division followed the 92nd Illinois into the city. The latter was the first Union regiment to enter the place. A few men of the 97th Ohio Infantry, of Wagner's Brigade of Wood's Division, crossed the river early in the forenoon of September 9th with the flag of their Regiment, reaching the works overlooking the river bank. Their Brigade crossed into the city during the afternoon and morning of the 9th. On the morning of the 10th Wagner's Brigade was detailed to occupy Chattanooga, the other forces moved in pursuit of the enemy via Rossville and in the direction of Ringgold and Lee and Gordon's Mill. , ,