History programs mark 153rd anniversary of Battles for Chattanooga

"The Battle of Lookout Mountain" was painted by English artist James Walker. Measuring 13 by 30 feet, it occupies an entire wall in the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center. A tour led by park historian Jim Ogden on Saturday, Nov. 19, will trace Walker's steps at the base of Lookout Mountain as he prepared to paint.
"The Battle of Lookout Mountain" was painted by English artist James Walker. Measuring 13 by 30 feet, it occupies an entire wall in the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center. A tour led by park historian Jim Ogden on Saturday, Nov. 19, will trace Walker's steps at the base of Lookout Mountain as he prepared to paint.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will hold a series of programs at various park sites over the next several days to commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga.

There is an entrance fee of $5 for ages 16 and older to enter Point Park. All other programs and locations are free of charge.

Participants on the hikes should bring a water bottle and wear supportive footwear and clothing appropriate to the weather that day.

For more information, call the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit www.nps.gov/chch.

Saturday, Nov. 19

* At Point Park on Lookout Mountain: Park rangers will lead 30-minute walking tours at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

* At Moccasin Bend: Park historian Jim Ogden will lead a 10 a.m. hike to the Union earthworks, where visitors can learn about the role of artillery during the Campaign for Chattanooga. The 2-mile hike will last about two hours. Visitors will meet just north of the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Special Event signs will be posted.

* At Cummings Bottom: From 2 to 4 p.m., Ogden will lead a two-hour, 2-mile hike along Lookout Creek at the base of Lookout Mountain, including where artist James Walker observed the battle in preparation for his painting "The Battle of Lookout Mountain," which hangs in the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center. The tour will begin along Parker Lane off Brown's Ferry Road just south of Interstate 24, Exit 175, in Lookout Valley. Special Event signs will be posted.

* At Cravens House: This historic house on Lookout Mountain will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for visitors to hear stories about the family and the "Battle Above the Clouds."

Sunday, Nov. 20

* At Point Park: Living historians will portray two soldiers who experienced the Battle of Lookout Mountain in 30-minute programs at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. The narrative comes from letters home written in the fall of 1863 as Grant Taylor of the 40th Alabama Infantry and Ambrose Heyward of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry faced the culminating battle on Nov. 24.

* At Moccasin Bend: At 10 a.m., park historian Jim Ogden will lead a 1-mile, 90-minute walk on the Browns Ferry Federal Road Trace exploring the importance of this critical supply route and pontoon bridge to the success of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's plans for Chattanooga. The meeting site is just off Moccasin Bend Road. Special Event signs will be posted.

* At Chickamauga Dam Reservation: From 2 to 4:30 pm, park historian Jim Ogden will lead a two-and-a-half-hour car caravan tour following Gen. William Sherman's operations to cross the Tennessee River and assault Missionary Ridge. Meet at the Chickamauga Dam Reservation of the Tennessee Riverpark along Amnicola Highway just west of Tennessee Highway 153. Special Event signs will be posted.

* At Cravens House: The home will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 23

* At Orchard Knob Reservation: Meet at 2 p.m. at the corner of Ivy Street and Orchard Knob Avenue for a one-hour walking tour of this lesser-known engagement on its 153rd anniversary. On Nov. 23, 1863, slightly more than 600 Confederates were engulfed by thousands of blue-clad Federal soldiers as they swarmed around and over Orchard Knob in the first of three heated battles to decide the fate of Chattanooga.

Thursday, Nov. 24

Both Chickamauga Battlefield and Point Park will be open for normal operations on Thanksgiving Day.

* At Chickamauga Battlefield: The Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Park grounds are open from 6 a.m. to sunset. Rangers will lead two-hour car caravan tours of at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

* At Lookout Mountain Battlefield: The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At Point Park, rangers will lead 30-minute walking tours at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. on this the 153rd anniversary of the "Battle Above the Clouds."

Friday, Nov. 25

* At Missionary Ridge: Park historian Jim Ogden will lead a four-hour, 4-mile hike beginning at 1 p.m., highlighting the Battle of Missionary Ridge, which occurred 153 years ago on this very ground. The program will meet at the Sherman Reservation on Lightfoot Mill Road and will include both hiking on trails and city sidewalks.

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