•A't^»yjj.»A''x»>(^ivftyivft(«ik»>^'Wj'x*A''As/: 
 
 igh Lights 
 
 ^^of 
 
 Chattanooga 
 History 
 
 1828 :: 1917 
 
 CIVIL WAR PERIOD 
 
 Confederate Occupation 
 Federal Occupation 
 
 Battle of Chickamauga 
 
 Siege of Chattanooga 
 
 Battles Around Chattanooga 
 
 Battle of Chattanooga 
 
High Lights 
 of Chattanooga History 
 
 Turned on in Advance 
 
 from Chapters of a 
 
 Forthcoming 
 
 HISTORY OF CHATTANOOGA 
 
 Being Prepared by 
 HENRY M. WILTSE 
 
 Copyright, 1917 
 
 By HENRY M. WILTSE 
 
 Chattanooga, 
 
 Tenn. 
 

 DEC 29 1917 
 
 ©CM 4 79 72.9 
 'Ho. /. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga 
 History 
 
 By HENRY M. WILTSE 
 
 Chattanooga history began with the Cherokee Indians. They chose 
 these environments for their homes because of natural beauties and other 
 attractions: fertihty of soil, abundance of fish, fruits, game, etc. Whence 
 came the Cherokee we know not with certainty, but little is the doubt 
 that they were of Iroquoian origin. Their title to the lands they held 
 came, as they expressed it, "from the Great Spirit." They were of the 
 trusting, reverent peoples v/hose untutored minds "see God in clouds and 
 hear Him in the wind." They became turbulent when the white man 
 made them so. It should be said that most of the diabolism laid to their 
 charge was committed by a renegade offshoot, tribe or clan, which be- 
 came known as the Chickamaugas. 
 
 Their relations to the Cherokee were much like those of a con- 
 siderable number of civilized white men who should become malcontents 
 and apostates from civilization and organize themselves into a band of 
 outlaws and cutthroats. 
 
 John Ross, so long the great principal Cherokee chief, and Lewis 
 Ross, his brother, having attended school at Kingston, Tennessee, and 
 arrived at maturity, came here and established a trading post on the 
 Tennessee River. From this Ross's Landing took its name. Only 
 shortly before the Indians were removed from this vicinity by force of 
 arms, did the name become Chattanooga, and the original appellation 
 was used to a considerable extent even by residents, for more than a 
 decade. 
 
 It was during what was popularly known as the Cherokee War, 
 officially as the Cherokee Disturbance, that Chattanooga received 
 its first artificial impetus in the aggregation of humanity and in business 
 advancement which gave it promise of becoming a city. Substantial 
 numbers of troops had been stationed here in a period extending from 
 the spring of 1836 to the fall of 1838. Many Indians had meantime 
 been gathered here for expulsion from their native land and favorite 
 haunts. Thus large demand was made upon the resources of territory 
 round about, to feed troops and captives. Whole fleets of flatboats 
 
2 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 came down the river with agricultural supplies of every kind the soil 
 would yield under such encouragement as could then be given it, and 
 farmers came from every quarter, bringing their offerings in crude vehi- 
 cles of varied descriptions as well as nondescript. So Chattanooga in 
 reality received its very cradling in war, for this great tragedy of the 
 Cherokee was in reality that. And the place was destined to much 
 familiarity with war; to have its fortunes greatly affected by military 
 interests for many decades. 
 
 Captain John P. Long, one of the most prominent early settlers, 
 spoke of the prosperity the community had enjoyed just before and 
 during removal days, and said it was determined by the people that the 
 town should have a name other than one expressing the idea of a "mere 
 landing." A meeting was called "at the schoolhouse" for the purpose 
 of selecting a name. Numbers were proposed, of which "Albion" 
 seemed the favorite. It was suggested by the white cliffs of Walden's 
 Ridge. 
 
 Opposed to the name Chattanooga was urged that it was ugly, if 
 not indeed outlandish. To Albion, commonness was a chief objection. 
 In favor of Chattanooga was emphasized that it was unique, and had 
 an interesting local significance; it was the name of a neighboring stream 
 of some importance, and of a mountain in the vicinity. What the word 
 signifies was not known then, and is matter of interesting uncertainty, 
 now. Captain Long said the meaning had been lost in antiquity. 
 Interest in the subject has "grown by what it fed on" and become much 
 more than merely local. It has long been nation-wide if not world- 
 wide. Theories relating to it have been numerous, and of character 
 ranging from closely akin of ludicrous to ingenius. Perhaps in one of 
 them lies truth and correct solution. 
 
 An informant who was here in 1 828, long before there was any 
 town or even promise of one, said he understood from Indians of the 
 vicinity that the word meant something relative to contour, and it was 
 thought signified in substance, "a hawk sitting on a nest," therefore, he 
 thought the real significance was "hawk's nest." 
 
 In 1904 a letter bearing no other signature than "Indian" was 
 sent to the writer of this, saying the word signifies "difficulty", which 
 was suggested to the Indian mind on seeing the great river halted by 
 Lookout Mountain and compelled to turn so suddenly, as if going back, 
 then dashing away as if in utter incertitude of direction, in blind, in- 
 furiate search for a way over or through those sturdy barricades of 
 nature to that far off goal, the sea. 
 
 An aged Choctaw told the late Daniel P. Henderson that the word 
 was of his language, meaning the end of Choctaw possessions, or the 
 point where they terminate. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 3 
 
 Chaplain Thomas B. Van Home said a similar name was applied 
 by the Cherokee to the cliffs above town, and derived from Clewiwoo- 
 wah, the name of a diminutive hawk which was supposed to embody 
 the spirit of the tribe. These cliffs were its favorite nesting-place. TTiis 
 writer also said Chattanooga was the name of a small Indian hamlet 
 situated near the base of Lookout Mountain, on the bank of Chatta- 
 nooga Creek; that in the Cherokee language the name imported "to 
 draw fish out of the water." 
 
 A writer for the Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian 
 Institution, says "Tsatanugi" was the Cherokee name for some point on 
 the creek entering Tennessee River at Chattanooga, and the ancient 
 name was "Atlanuwa." The Cherokee knew nothing concerning the 
 significance of "Tsatanugi" in their language, and thought it must be 
 of Chickasaw (Choctaw) origin. But Atlanuwa, they said, meant 
 hawk-hole, the old name for a bluff that v/as formidable at the point 
 where Market Street reaches the river. 
 
 Louis L. Parham, who published our first city directory, asserted 
 that the significance was "Crow's Foot." 
 
 Doctor L. Y. Park was a young man when the Indians were 
 rem.oved, and he said the word came from "Chatta," a fish, and 
 "nooga," to bring — meaning "fish bringer, ' Chattanooga Creek being 
 so called on account of the great number of fish that went up the stream 
 at high stages of the river. 
 
 Joshua Ross, nephew of Chief John, informed Miss Zella Arm- 
 strong that he found in the living Creek language "Chat-to-to-noog-gee," 
 the literal meaning of which is "rock coming to a point," a cliff or bluff, 
 or overhanging rocks. This, of course, very plainly indicates Point 
 Lookout, and seems a most plausible theory regarding the meaning of 
 our name. Especially does it seem so taken in connection with what 
 Captain Long said, that Chattanooga was the original name of Lookout 
 Mountain, "given to it long before the coming of the Cherokees." The 
 historian Ramsey speaks of a mountain called Chattanooga, and in 
 1818 Reverend Elias Cornelius explained in Voyages and Travels, 
 that "the Look-Out Mountain" was, in Cherokee language without the 
 aspirated sounds, "O-tullee-tou-tanna-ta-kunnd-ee," literally, "moun- 
 tains looking at each other." This fancy might well be justified by 
 Lookout Mountain and Walden's Ridge; Raccoon Mountain perhaps 
 being also entitled to a place in the picture. 
 
 The origin and meaning of Lookout as the name for our guardian 
 mountain has much import in connection with the investigation of what 
 the word Chattanooga signifies, but space limitation forbids the expla- 
 nation here. 
 
 Green McCurtain, not long since principal chief of the Choctaw 
 
4 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 Nation, thought the name Chattanooga came from two Choctaw words. 
 Chatta, meaning the Choctaw tribe, and Anoka, signifying potato-house. 
 
 We may yet suspect the significance of our name is lost in antiquity 
 as Captain Long said, and we may well believe it had no Cherokee 
 origin, knowing that neither did the word Cherokee itself. It is but a 
 corruption. Their true name was Yun'wiya, or Ani-Yun-Wiya, mean- 
 ing real people, or principal people. 
 
 That chahta is indicated by Standard Dictionary as the real name 
 for Choctaw language, may have no further value than as a mere 
 interesting fact in connection with the discussion. 
 
 Having received its new name, the little settlement was chartered 
 as a town in 1841, and received its "magna charta" or charter as a 
 city, December 5, 1851. The first city council meeting was held 
 January 5, 1852, and the first ordinance passed after one merely 
 providing for organization, was entitled "An Ordinance to Regulate 
 Slaves, Free Blacks and Mulattos within the City of Chattanooga." 
 
 Three important events marked the year 1838: The town received 
 its new name of Chattanooga; the name of the post office, which had 
 been established as Ross's Larding in April of the preceding year, was 
 changed accordingly, and the last contingent of Cherokee departed for 
 their dreary and tragical journey to the new home which had been 
 chosen for them, beyond the Mississippi. 
 
 This enforced removal made up finally one of the saddest chapters 
 in the book of time. It "may well exceed in grief and pathos any 
 other passage in American history," according to a report made to and 
 published by the Bureau of American Ethnology. A soldier who 
 witnessed much of it and later become a Confederate colonel, said, 
 "I fought through the Civil War and saw men shot to pieces by thou- 
 sands, but the Cherokee removal was the crudest work I ever saw." 
 Over four thousand of them, nearly one-fourth of the Nation, died as 
 the direct result; one of them being the accomplished wife of Chief 
 John Ross. The Cherokee, in their own expressive language of imagery, 
 knew the wretched exodus as "The Trail of Tears." 
 
 Nothing of special consequence occurred from this period until the 
 contemplated building of Western & Atlantic Railroad stirred the 
 enterprising citizens to sense of danger that the road would be built 
 to the Georgia line, simply, or continued to Harrison, the county seat, 
 and not come to Chattanooga at all. Georgia authorities thought the 
 river was the only inducement this late "mere landing" could offer, 
 and declared it was not navigable for enough distance nor sufficient 
 months in the year, to justify consideration of it as a terminal or even 
 a touching point. With a small steamboat, many oxen, horses, plows, 
 road-scrapers and a moderate force of men, those plucky early Chatta- 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 5 
 
 noogans set to work in the hope of demonstrating the contrary, and 
 they did, proving that the stream could be navigated from Knoxville 
 and even further up, to Decatur, nine months in the year. The Geor- 
 gians conceded the fact; the road came, its first train arriving in 
 December, 1849. Soon after, a delegation came from Charleston, 
 South Carolina, bringing a vessel filled with ocean water, which was 
 ceremoniously poured into the river, in token of the marriage of ocean 
 with stream. 
 
 "Ninth Street went up like a rocket into a village," according to 
 "Andy Williams." It became necessary to pave Market with planks, 
 or make of it a plank road from Ninth to the river, and numbers of 
 persons who lived well into the twentieth century remembered when they 
 could have walked from the one point to the other on bales of cotton, 
 and flatboats were fairly wedged together, lining the bank from the 
 bluffs above Market Street to down near Pine, a distance of five or 
 six blocks. Yet Judge O. P. Temple, who was here over Sunday, 
 in 1850, said, "The houses were then straggling from about the spot 
 where the Read House now stands down toward the river, along 
 probably Main Street." (Of course Market.) "There were few 
 of them, and they were very insignificant. Even then, however, there 
 was considerable business done in grain, bacon, lumber, etc." 
 
 It was in this year that our first foundry and machine shop, and our 
 first coke furnace were erected. 
 
 The Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad was completed and trains 
 over its tracks reached Chattanooga in February, 1 854. 
 
 If there was not a boom in 1858, something enough like one to 
 enlist the interest of visitors was existent. Strother, or Port Crayon, 
 representing Harper's Magazine, was here with a party, and they 
 stopped at the Crutchfield House. Of things typical Strother wrote: 
 
 "The hotel was swarming with people arriving and departing with 
 the trains, east, west, north and south, hurrying to and fro with eager 
 looks, as if lives, fortunes, and sacred honor hung upon the events of 
 the next hour. All the corners and by-places were filled with groups 
 in earnest conversation; some were handling bundles of papers, others 
 examining maps. Rolls of banknotes were exhibited, and net purses 
 with red gold gleaming through their silken meshes. In the confusion 
 of tongues the ear could catch the words: 'Plots' — 'stocks' — 'quarter 
 sections' — 'depot' — 'dividends' — 'township' — 'railroads' — 'terminus' — 
 'ten thousands' — 'hundred thousands' — 'millions.' The Squire, impa- 
 tient to get his coffee, peeped into the breakfast room. The waiters 
 were trading coats." From a negotiation of this kind only a paragraph 
 must be indulged: 
 
 "I tell yoq what, I'll give you dis coat for a dollar and a 
 
6 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 half and take your paper at nine months, or ef you like better, 
 one dollar cash on the button." 
 
 These conditions were quite probably due in part at least to com- 
 pletion of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad to Stevenson, from which 
 point trains came in over the Nashville & Chattanooga tracks. 
 
 The same year, destruction of a bacon warehouse by fire, directed 
 attention of certain citizens to the utter defenselcssness of the town, and 
 our first fire organization resulted; of course, a very primitive one. 
 
 Social and political conditions prior to the Civil War were about 
 as usual throughout the Central South, except for more division of 
 sentiment regarding slavery and possible disunion. Numbers of families 
 owned slaves, and largei numbers, perhaps, disapproved of slavery. 
 A paper called The Southern Confederacy was conducted by J. P. 
 Hambleton, whom Doctor Thomas H. McCallie described as "a very 
 bright, strong, racy writer." Proceeding, Doctor McCallie said, "He 
 was about as hot and extreme on the Southern side as Wendell Phillips 
 on the Abolition side. His paper did not have a long life. It was in 
 an uncongenial atmosphere." It was so with a paper at Harrison, 
 called The Unconditional, which was a radical sheet from the Union 
 standpoint. So, conservatism may be said to have been the nature of 
 political tendency. 
 
 When war came, most of the men allied themselves with the Con- 
 federate cause and the town without resistance became a stronghold 
 thereof. It remained thus until September 9th, 1 863, when Col. Smith 
 D. Atkins, commanding the 92nd Illinois, entered and flung the Stars 
 and Stripes afloat at Crutchfield House. Those tri colors have been 
 the prevailing fashion here ever since. Of the stupendous struggle 
 hereabout incident to the restoration of that flag, m.ore general history 
 has told in unnumbered volumes. 
 
 After Federal occupation, social life was for long a negligible 
 quantity. The town was a great military camp, and with the exception 
 of officers' headquarters, there was little sign of other interests. It is 
 true the government assumed the functions of a business concern, and 
 engaged in pretty much every line that could be thought of under existing 
 conditions. It built a rolling mill, established waterworks, built ware- 
 houses, operated steamboat and telegraph lines, planing mills, saw mills, 
 shingle mills ; erected dwellings, barracks, etc. ; repaired harness, and 
 turned out all kinds of military equipment needed for the instant 
 emergencies. 
 
 A glance at the history is quoted from a tablet standing on the site 
 of Redoubt Jones, by the customhouse. The inscription has sanction 
 of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park Commission: 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 7 
 
 "This city was first occupied by Confederate troops in the 
 spring of 1862, under Generals Floyd, Maxey and Ledbetter. 
 Union troops under General Mitchell shelled it June 7th and 8th. 
 Bragg's army occupied it in August, preparing for the Kentucky 
 campaign. Again in the fall, on its return from Kentucky, and 
 in the summer of 1863, when retiring before General Rosecrans 
 from Middle Tennessee. Wilder shelled the city from Stringer's 
 Ridge, August 21st. 
 
 "Bragg evacuated it September 7th and 8th, and a small 
 Union force took possession. Rosecrans occupied it in force the 
 second morning after the Battle of Chickamauga, and thereafter 
 it remained in Union control. Thomas succeeded Rosecrans 
 October 1 9th. 
 
 "Grant took general command October 23rd. A short line 
 of supplies to Bridgeport by Brown's Ferry was opened October 
 28th, upon a plan devised by General Rosecrans. Hooker's 
 forces arrived in Lookout Valley on that date and fought the 
 Battle of Wauhatchie. Sherman's troops crossed the Tennessee 
 above the city during the night of November 23rd. On that day 
 the Army of the Cumberland carried Orchard Knob. 
 
 "November 24th, Hooker's column captured the north slope 
 of Lookout Mountain, On November 25 th, Missionary Ridge, 
 excepting Cleyburn's position at Tunnell Hill and the intervening 
 line of Walthall's stand north of DeLong's, was carried by Grant's 
 combined armies, Bragg retreating to Dalton." 
 
 It is good that drollery sometimes crops out in war. Federal and 
 Confederate pickets were posted on opposite sides of Chattanooga Creek, 
 all taking v/ater supplies therefrom. General Grant rode out to inspect 
 the lines, and as he was sure to be within short-range fire of the Con- 
 federates, he took with him only a bugler, who followed at a distance. 
 Grant, approaching the picket guard camp of the Federal lines, heard 
 the order, "Turn out the guard for the commanding general!" 
 
 "Never mind the guard," he directed. 
 
 Not far away were the guards of Confederate pickets, and he 
 heard, almost like an echo, from that side, the order, "Turn out the 
 guard to salute the commanding general"; and before he had oppor- 
 tunity to decide what was going on, the added words "General Grant," 
 explained a unique pleasantry. The line formed, front faced to the 
 north and saluted the commanding general — "General Grant," who 
 promptly returned the most unexpected courtesy. 
 
 In December, 1 863, the United States took possession of ground 
 for a National Cemetery, and occupied it at once for such purpose. 
 
8 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 acquiring title later, by condemnation and purchase. Final decree in 
 condemnation was obtained February 20th, 1869. The cemetery 
 proper occupies seventy-five and a half acres. With the adjacencies, 
 there is a total of one hundred and twenty-nine and forty-three one- 
 hundredths acres. 
 
 The total burials, stated October 29th, 1917, was 13,744. 
 
 Some of the more important military men here during the Civil 
 
 War were Grant, Rosecrans, Thomas, Sherman, Wood, O. O. 
 
 Howard, Garfield, Lytle, Bragg, Longstreet, D. H. Hill, Polk, For- 
 rest, Hood, Buckner and John Morgan. 
 
 Every president of the United States since Lincoln has visited 
 Chattanooga, though not all while in office. 
 
 After the war was over, social conditions were very simple for a 
 time, and not a little confused. We had about as cosmopolitan a 
 community as could well be imagined. There was, of course, some 
 sectional animosity, for the home people who had been here during 
 Federal occupancy, remained, and those who had gone away when 
 that was imminent, came back, while there were large influxes of 
 famililes from the North, most of them headed by men who had borne 
 arms for the Union. The range of social life might be told at a glance 
 by saying we had types all the way from "The Proud Miss McBride" 
 to an unfortunate who passed her nights in an abandoned government 
 coffin, at the "Car Shed." Sectional bitterness did not prove an 
 enduring sentiment in most instances. In offices, business houses and 
 on the streets. Federal and Confederate captains, majors, colonels and 
 generals were all the time being brought into contact, and soon learned 
 how to struggle together, shoulder to shoulder, for repair of the damage 
 done by both sides during four years of hatred and struggle for suprem- 
 acy. In the court rooms, lawyers late of the gray and lawyers recently 
 of the blue, almost forgot what colors they had respectively worn, they 
 were all such good fellows and fast friends. The deadly malady of 
 sectional hatred could not last long, even indoors, under such conditions, 
 and in 1 885 a local writer, speaking of social conditions here, was 
 able to truthfully say: 
 
 "We intermingle, we enjoy each other's society, we indulge 
 to a moderate degree in the pleasures of fashion; but as a rule 
 our social affairs are conducted on the go-as-you-please or do-as- 
 you-please plan. The latchstrings of our doors are always out 
 to each other. Our hearts and homes are open to the deserving 
 stranger who would be a friend. Sectionalism has as little place 
 in society as in business. Ostracism is not known. He or she 
 who would assume the role of astracizer would straightway become 
 by common consent, a conspicuous ostracizee." 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 9 
 
 Chattanooga had felt the breath of war three times before that 
 most momentous period of its history, the Civil War. Probably in 
 1835, Darlin A. Wilder rode away at the head of a company of 
 horse, to participate in the Seminole wars just then renewed. From 
 1836 to 1838, the Cherokee Removal Campaign was a much more 
 intimate and important reminder of Mars, and in 1847 numbers of 
 troops on their way to Mexico stopped here for short periods, to rest 
 and obtain supplies. 
 
 In those days of transition just after the Civil War the "Chatta- 
 nooga Spirit" was brought forth from the fallow in which it had 
 reposed too long, and it has become a slogan of nation-wide if not of 
 world-wide interest. This spirit was born before Chattanooga owned 
 a more pretentious name than Ross's Landing. 
 
 At points marked now by Ninth and Market and Eighth and 
 Market, were goodly sized ponds. In them were large trees and 
 numbers of large watersnakes. Women gathered at their edges to 
 do the weekly washings for their families or their employers. In the 
 upper one some school boys had been playing, and seeking new diver- 
 sion they passed down the "road," now Market Street, to the front of 
 Capehart House, where important local men were discussing the im- 
 portant town and its prospects. 
 
 One of the men was B. Rush Montgomery, lawyer and promoter. 
 Another was James A. Whiteside, probably most important of all. 
 Mr. Montgomery asked the boys to indicate where they believed the 
 center of the world to be located. They responded according to their 
 respective lights. Some said it was in New York City, and others 
 suggested Philadelphia. Most of them, however, favored Baltimore. 
 
 "No, boys," said Montgomery; "if I were going to show you the 
 center of the world, I would go up there and stick my cane right in 
 that pond where you have just been playing." 
 
 The proper Chattanoogan has always thought and always will 
 believe that B. Rush Montgomery was very nearly right. If he missed 
 it at all, it was only by the distance of a few city blocks. 
 
 After the Civil War dwellers here constantly found interests to 
 bring them into closer bonds of sympathy and encourage them to dwell 
 together in unity and work in harmony. Some of these inspirations 
 came in the forms of disaster. The first of moment was the great flood 
 of March, 1 867 — the greatest that has ever visited Chattanooga. The 
 river reached a height of fifty-eight and five one-hundredths feet, and, 
 of course, much mischief was done. So serious was the situation, and 
 so completely was the town in every respect isolated, that neighboring 
 communities heard and believed the entire population had been drowned. 
 The most conspicuous salient of this flood was loss of the Military 
 
10 High Lights of ChattaiNooga HistokV 
 
 Bridge, which had spanned the river irom foot of Market Street. It 
 was built by Federal authorities, during the Civil War, principally in 
 1864. 
 
 In September, 1 867, the famed Crutchfield House was burned. 
 
 In December, 1870, the county seat was removed from Harrison 
 to Chattanooga. 
 
 November 10th, 1871, our greatest fire occurred. It started at 
 the southwest corner of Eighth and Market streets and swept northward, 
 consuming everything on the west side of Market Street to the building 
 now numbered 707. 
 
 June 21st, 1873, our only visitation of Asiatic cholera began. 
 The exodus by rail and river, public roads, across country, through 
 field and and forest was tragic. Of five or six hundred persons who 
 remained, one hundred and thirty died. A financial panic this year 
 greatly distressed Chattanooga. 
 
 In 1875 the second flood of consequence came, next to that of 
 1867, in magnitude, the highest point being fifty-three feet, eleven and 
 three-fourths inches. 
 
 In this year our first street railroad line was laid, extending from 
 Ninth Street to the river. Later it was extended to Montgomery 
 Avenue, now called Main Street. 
 
 In 1876, we held our greatest Fourth of July celebration. 
 
 In 1877 President and Mrs. Hayes were entertained, being accom- 
 panied by Secretary of State William M. Evarts, Postmaster General 
 David M, Key and General Wade Hampton. 
 
 In 1878 came our greatest calamity, in form of yellow fever. Most 
 of the population refugeed, leaving a minimum number for the enemy's 
 vengeance, but of the few who remained three hundred and sixty-six, 
 by estimate, died. 
 
 In 1882, Sheriff Cate and his chief deputy, John J. Conway, were 
 murdered by the Taylor brothers, at Philadelphia, in Loudon County, 
 whi'e taking John Tayloi to Knoxville for hearing by the Supreme 
 Court on charge of murdering Captain Fletcher, a steamboat man. 
 
 In 1883, a prolonged smallpox epidemic occurred, costing much 
 money and some three hundred lives. There were six hundred and 
 eighty cases 
 
 In 1884, we again very elaborately celebrated the Fourth of July. 
 
 In 1886, the third flood befell, and reached a stage of fifty-two 
 and two-tenths feet. 
 
 In 1887. a fire of comparative insignificance in the general sense. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 11 
 
 cost Firemen's Peak and Her their lives. It was in their honor that 
 Firemen's Fountain was erected. 
 
 In 1888, Griffis-Caldwell Block and a number of other buildings 
 were burned. The famous Tschopik's Garden was obliterated. James 
 P. McMillin, Will Krug, David Welch and Richard Scott perished. 
 Several others were seriously injured. 
 
 March 12, 1891, the noted "Tin Banquet" was given commemo- 
 rating the manufacture of basic steel at Southern Iron Works. Chatta- 
 nooga Chamber of Commerce was host, and a large number of dis- 
 tinguished guests were present, including many United States senators 
 and representatives, one of them being William McKinley. 
 
 Columbus Day was elaborately celebrated in 1892, with exercises 
 at the courthouse, in which the public schools figured most conspicuously. 
 
 In 1893, the Southern Express Company moved its headquarters 
 here, and an elaborate banquet was given in honor of the occasion and 
 the company officials, at Lookout Inn. 
 
 In 1895, the National Military Park was dedicated, the exercises 
 lasting practically a week, and covering Chickamauga battle anni- 
 versary. 
 
 In 1897, Richardson building was burned. Samuel M, Patton 
 and Boyd Ewing were killed. 
 
 In 1898, the War with Spain caused mobilization at the Military 
 Park of men aggregating seventy-five thousand. 
 
 March 3, 1902, Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of the present 
 Kaiser, paid us his first and probably last visit. With him was the 
 now noted Von Tirpitz. Admiral Robley D. Evans was the official 
 escort on behalf of the United States. Prince Henry declared that 
 the view from Lookout Mountain was the finest he had ever seen. 
 
 In 1909, we entered upon the experiment of Commission Govern- 
 ment for the city. The Municipal Record was established, and the 
 city became for the first time a publisher. 
 
 Nineteen Hundred and Seventeen was destined to be one of our 
 epochal and most momentous years. It lost little time in beginning the 
 salients of its career. The fourth and least flood surprised us after 
 more than three decades respite and an acquired confidence that we 
 had seen the last of this menace. While least of floods, it caused an 
 aggregate of damage and distress, probably exceeding any other, because 
 it found so many more persons here; so greatly increased numbers of 
 homes and business places to invade. No other had been so systemat- 
 ically and skillfully met. Many older residents had become flood wise, 
 and we had an excellent flood warning system; really efficient tele- 
 phone service, and a thorough electric car establishment; all highly 
 
12 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 competent weapons. But we possessed a more potent one, never before 
 at hand in flood times — the automobile. 
 
 The water crest registered forty-seven and seven-tenths feet. 
 
 Scarcely had the recession been realized when war with Germany 
 was declared and Chattanooga "flew to arms" with such promptitude 
 and zeal that the overflow was almost forgotten before mobilization of 
 troops and civilian workers at Fort Oglethorpe began. 
 
 Up to the middle of October these had probably aggregated fifty 
 thousand. The twenty-fourth of that month a great Liberty Bond 
 demonstration was made on the streets, and seventy-five hundred soldiers 
 bearing arms v/ere in the procession. It proved a most impressive func- 
 tion, stimulating both patriotism and confidence as to the outcome of 
 the war. Col. Abner Pickering, in command at Fort Oglethorpe, was 
 accorded much deserved praise. 
 
 In the summer of this year occurred a serious strike of textile 
 workers, and later two street railway employee strikes entirely stopped 
 car traffic. Two mob demonstrations occurred, both attended by 
 fighting, injuries to persons and wanton destruction of property. In 
 the second, one man was killed. Early in December, two attempts 
 were made to destroy cars and passengers by dynamite. 
 
 In August our first incinerator plant was put in operation, and in 
 the fall a $ 1 , 1 00,000 bridge across Tennessee River from the foot 
 of Market Street was given to public use. 
 
 In 1 898, while the War with Spain was in progress, seventy-five 
 thousand troops were mobilized at the National Military Park. Again 
 in 1917, we saw all the pomp and circumstance of war that usually 
 attend without the dread reality in actual presence. Hundreds of 
 Geftnan prisoners were confined there. 
 
 Little as many of our people realized the fact, and unwilling as all 
 who did know, were to own the truth, Chattanooga was on the verge 
 of serious decline when the year 1 898 began. The leaves of the tree 
 that sprung up on American soil the twenty-third of April were for 
 the healing of the nations, and the great encampment was the healing 
 of Chattanooga. Of course, great sums of money were expended here, 
 and in addition to this, large numbers of our citizens who would not 
 have otherwise been materially affected, found profitable employment 
 at liberal rates of compensation, and many others engaged in various 
 enterprises under concessions. Some of them thus built up little fortunes 
 in a few weeks. The effects of all this soon began to appear in 
 repaired roofs, additions to houses, new residences and new business 
 buildings, occupied houses which had too long borne the sinister legend 
 "for rent," and the city began to grow in a way that seemed difficult 
 to understand. It literally leaped into a new status; took on new life. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 13 
 
 assumed theretofore unknown features of metropolitan activity, and in 
 fine began to become a city. Those who had lived here for decades 
 and knew everybody, were known by everybody, began to meet upon 
 the streets thousands of persons they did not know; to find themselves 
 unknown to these new comers, but soon discovered that they were here 
 to stay and were helping to run the town just as if they had always 
 been here and had been accustomed to this line of conduct all of their 
 lives. So Chattanooga took an impetus from 1898 that will never 
 realize check or deflection, and she will become a large city as her 
 builders of the old days and of now, confidently believe. 
 
 But what of 1917? 
 
 Eighteen thousand coal miners had been on strike in the district. 
 Grievous car shortage had afflicted Chattanooga. Mid October found 
 us confronted by emergent fuel dearth. Large yards were without a 
 scuttleful of coal, and a few days later men of means were buying in 
 dollar quantities, some carrying home their allowances in automobiles. 
 But Chattanooga Spirit failed not nor was cast down. It cheerily 
 faced the east and saluted the rising sun. Economy was practiced, 
 and gradually supplies came in saving quantities. 
 
 "Sweep away the illusion of time! Compress three score years 
 into three minutes!" From our tawny predecessors, congregated for 
 expulsion from their homes, to our soldiers mobilized in preparation for 
 helping to stamp German militarism from the fair earth, seems a 
 mi^hly reach. But numbers of citizens have attained to more years 
 than compass the interval. A woman is here who lived in the cabin 
 which was the southernmost outpost of civilization at Ross's Landing, 
 and the spot is now numbered 728 Market Street. There her father 
 captured alive a rattlesnake hidden in the puncheon floor, and set it 
 on a stump near where Eighth and Market streets conjoin, that the 
 sun might render its oil for medicament. This woman played on Bald 
 Hill with little Indian girls, and that is now covered by the custom- 
 house and a dozen other important buildings. She later lived near 
 Bald Knob, now Orchard Knob, where she saw both Indians and 
 soldiers sent to deport them; she knew Straw Tavern, in all its evil, 
 grisly eminence. She knew two "graveyards" now under principal 
 residential sections. She heard the first church bell, which was impro- 
 vised of a druggists' mortar and a tongue fixed in by William Lewis, 
 blacksmith, who bought his freedom and his wife's with anvil strokes. 
 Mary A. Frist is witness. 
 
 A man who lived until 1913 saw "wig' warns thick as trees"; saw 
 deer in dozen droves on Missionary Ridge; was chased by wild hogs 
 in territory now our ninth ward. He was Andy Williams. 
 
 One who lived well into the twentieth century himted here by 
 Chciokee permission when there was neither hut nor wigwam nor human 
 
14 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 inhabitant within the territory now covered by Chattanooga and its 
 suburbs, with exception of one tepee. He was George W. Rode- 
 baugh. 
 
 Again the illusion of time! The man is living here who placed 
 our first power elevator and who brought the first typewriter. Joseph 
 C. Vance may testify. Another dwells here and is head of a leading 
 business house w^ho regretfully refused to buy a typewriter because he 
 really couldn't see what he could "do with one of those things if he 
 had it." 
 
 Living Mary A. Frist can say she saw these marvels of the earlier 
 days. Her husband killed thirty-two snakes in the flats south of 
 East Eleventh Street, the day before their wedding, in 1852. In her 
 day have occurred things upon an area of a few square miles, that 
 prove what pranks and wonders time can play within a lifetime — as 
 make a wild hog chase a frightened boy up a tree, and almost within 
 the shadow-range of that same tree place a world on dress parade: 
 enact tragedies and achievements of war in prodigiousness till now 
 unknown elsewhere — accomplish triumphs of peace that seem like 
 creations of imagination, wellnigh impossible to reality. Yet, both 
 of these living witnesses who have been called, are young enough in 
 mind and spirit to exclaim with the genial Holmes: 
 
 "Hang the almanac's cheat and the catalogue's spite! 
 Old Time is a liar! We're twenty tonight." 
 
 The foregoing was prepared by the author of this booklet, for 
 Gravure Illustration Company, of Chicago, and is used by their 
 courtesy. That and what follows have been selected from chapters 
 of a forthcoming History of Chattanooga, which will be a work of 
 800 pages or more, and give hundreds of details that have made up 
 the history of Chattanooga — introducing many persons of more and 
 persons of less local renown; also such incidents of their lives, char- 
 acters, adventures, joys and sorrows, as go to make up a FOLK 
 HISTORY, which the large work will in great measure prove itself, 
 having been collected during many years, from original research. 
 
 Orders will be received, payments to be made on delivery of the 
 work. 
 
 Address: 
 
 HENRY M. WILTSE, 
 
 1023 East Twelfth Street, 
 
 Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
 
 To which address mail orders for this booklet should be sent. Price, 
 50 cents. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 15 
 
 CIVIL WAR TIMES 
 
 Chattanooga furnished interests for history throughout the War; 
 before and during Confederate occupation and while the Federals 
 occupied, not excluding the days of siege. The litle that can be told 
 here will be given in form embracing all of the periods, without great 
 particularity a^ to chronology. 
 
 Mrs. John B. Nicklin was a school girl, daughter of Daniel Kaylor. 
 A few years since, she related some reminiscences to the local Con- 
 federate Memorial Association, from which slight requisition is made 
 by permission. Confederate troops often passed through, on their way 
 to Virginia, and the girls were fond of going to see them at the railroad 
 station. Several companies went from here into the Confederate service, 
 and each was given a flag by the citizens. For the ceremonial presen- 
 tions, young ladies were selected as speakers. General Bragg was 
 in command of forces here, and she often saw him riding his iron gray 
 horse. She deemed him a splendid looking soldier, and he was reputed 
 a most strict disciplinarian. She often saw soldiers sitting on coffins 
 in wagons, on their way to the Citizens' Cemetery, to be shot for 
 desertion. It seems to have been a pretty common offense in those 
 days, and probably grew in large measure out of political predilection 
 ratlier than disinclination to military service. Thomas R. Harris says 
 he piloted twenty deserters from here at one time, on their way to the 
 Union lines. 
 
 From the southwest corner of Georgia Avenue east to "A" Street 
 and south to Eighth, extended a splendid grove, which in days of 
 peace had been much used for picnics, political gatherings, etc. It 
 was now filled, said Mrs. Nicklin, with tents of Confederate soldiers. 
 The women organized for the purpose of supplying food at the hos- 
 pitals. Mrs. Nicklin's mother used to take her along sometimes, when 
 the days for her visits came, and the young girl was greatly distressed 
 by the sight of dead soldiers in such numbers. 
 
 Friday, August 9th, according to her recollection, had been desig- 
 nated by President Jefferson Davis as a day of fasting and prayer 
 throughout the Confederacy. Rev. Doctor B. M. Palmer, of New 
 Orleans, was officiating here at the First Presbyterian Church, then 
 at the northeast corner of Seventh and Market Streets. Federal forces 
 commenced throwing shells into town, from north of the river. 
 
 "There was of course much excitement and confusion — soldiers 
 leaving in haste to join their regiments, women crying in fright." Mrs. 
 Nicklin and her mother were among the last to leave church. They 
 saw people fleeing in every direction, eager to find places of safety. 
 Many went to Boyce and other nearby places, returning in a few 
 days, after excitement had somewhat subsided. 
 
 Next time the place was shelled, August 21st, presumably, the 
 
15 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 Kaylors "went out into the country." as it was then considered, the 
 refuge being at Mr. Ruohs's home, between East End Avenue and 
 McCallie Avenue viaduct. "The house was filled with their relations 
 and friends, and not thinking it safe to return to town, my father 
 rented the place across the road from the Ruohs place, afterwards 
 known as the Nixon Flower Garden. * * * I was in town with my 
 father the day they crossed the river, and on returning to our country 
 home what was our surprise to be stopped by a guard m blue uniform, 
 at our fence corner. * * * The Ruohs home was between the two 
 armies, and during a skirmish my mother would gather up something 
 to eat in one hand and the baby in the other, and fly across the road 
 to the Ruohs house cellar, followed by my father with the other chil- 
 dren. * * * There the families would remain until the firing ceased 
 and it was safe to return home." 
 
 Several days later the Kaylors were ordered to vacate the "coun- 
 try" home and return to town, worse conditions being expected. And 
 sure enough, firing commenced one night. My mother started to to^^m 
 on foot, the baby in her arms. It was late and very dark, no road, 
 not even a path. Trees had been cut down to make fortifications, over 
 which she had to climb. In the confusion she got separated from my 
 father. It was past midnight when she reached home in town, very 
 tired and suffering with thirst. * * * The wells and cisterns were 
 nearly dry, and it was almost impossible to find water enough for her 
 to drink. That was a dry summer, the dust almost a foot deep. I 
 never knew the river to be so low, before nor since. The town was 
 full of half starved soldiers. Supplies had been cut off. They would 
 snatch food off the dishes before it could be brought to our table. 1 
 have seen them eating the dry corn on the cob." 
 
 Many a Federal soldier saw soldiers snatching bits of crackers and 
 kernels of corn, dropped in handling, and even "stealing" corn from 
 the mules ond artillery horses as they ate. This, of course was durmg 
 the siege. The artillery horses, being in no particular demand just 
 then, "had their rations cut off. and they died in large numbers, starved 
 to death." quoting General Henry M. Cist. Captam C. D. Mitchell. 
 now a leadmg manufacturer, told the writer in 1917. that his most vivid 
 impression of the town as he saw it in passmg through, was mud. and 
 that a few streets were paved with government mules." 
 
 Before his arrival. General Grant had telegraphed Thomas that he 
 must hold the place at all hazards, and Thomas had replied. We 
 will hold the town till we starve". Grant wrote. "I appreciated the 
 force of this dispatch when I witnessed the condition of affairs which 
 prompted it". Already about ten thousand animals had died of starva- 
 tion, and of the beef cattle remaining. Grant declared "it was so poor 
 that the soldiers were in the habit of saying, with famt facetiousness. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History [7 
 
 that they were living on half rations of hard bread and beef dried on the 
 hoof." 
 
 Mrs. S. C. Pyott is a daughter of the late James R. Allison, who 
 lived here before, during, and long after the war. While they were 
 living on West Seventh street, where is now St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 
 Grant and Garfield visited them, to arrange for their safe removal. It 
 was a warm day, and Garfield, seeing a white linen coat hanging on 
 a hook, asked if he might take it. The request was promptly and will- 
 ingly granted. Mrs. Allison was forced to secure permission from the 
 provost marshal to use water from their own well, in order to keep the 
 children from crying because of thirst. Mrs. Pyott said, "There was a 
 constant stream of thirsty soldiers, and the water was cold." The Pyott 
 family have an humble petition, prepared by Mr. Allison, begging per- 
 mission to remain in his own house, from which he had been ordered to 
 make place for a certain captain who had selected it for his head- 
 quarters. The truth that Mr. Allison had a large family, including a 
 wife in delicate health, and only two habitable rooms for all, seemed at 
 last to make impression, even through yards of red tape, and the Alli- 
 sons remained at home. 
 
 Thomas Richardson was living in the old home, 3 1 6 Walnut 
 street, which was made historic by becoming headquarters for distin- 
 guished commanders of both sides, among them. General John Morgan, 
 General Breckenridge, General Rosecrans, and General Thomas. It 
 was often visited by other distinguished men, such as Generals Grant 
 and Sherman. Here, according to Joe G. Richardson, now a well 
 known citizen, he and little Johnny Clem heard General Sherman say 
 to Thomas Richardson, as they sat on the porch, discussing the absorb- 
 ing topic, "Yes, Richardson, war is hell." The general may have made 
 the observation on some other occasion, but manifestly it originated here, 
 and its truth was more than once demonstrated here. 
 
 Johnny Clem was a drumer boy, of the 22nd Michigan Infantry, 
 and is said to have been the youngest soldier in the Federal army. He 
 became famous as the Drummer Boy of Chickamauga ; so famous that 
 Horace Greely gave him a drum, and the ladies of Chicago presented 
 to him a splendid, complete uniform suited to his size, and many other 
 honors were bestowed upon him. But there was another side to the 
 picture. He and Joe Richardson were youngsters of opinions, and on 
 at least one occasion they undertook to assert and enforce them by the 
 use of "rocks." These they threw at small negro boys, and for the 
 acts of belligerency. General Thomas caused them to be placed in jail 
 for a night's reflection. But later the Rock of Chickamauga took keen 
 interest in the youthful soldier, and helped him to acquire an education. 
 He is now General John L. Clem, retired after long and honorable 
 
18 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 service in the regular army. He was a visitor here in the fall of 1917. 
 
 Joe Richardson distinguished himself on another occasion. It was 
 when the Confederates were in control here. Generals Breckenridge 
 and John Morgan were boarding with the Richardsons. Joe discovered 
 one morning that the fine carriage horses belonging to his father had 
 been taken away. He had heard stories relative to the Morgan men 
 and other peoples' horses, so he drew a conclusion. It was, as orators 
 like to say punishment should sometimes be, "swift and condign." He 
 rushed into the house, and without waiting to take his father aside 
 for confidence and conference, bawled in loudest tones at his com- 
 mand: "Pa, General Morgan stole our horses, last night." 
 
 "What's that?" inquired Morgan, who of course overheard 
 
 "You stole our horses, last night," accused Joe to the great raider's 
 face. The general quietly said to Mr. Richardson that he would invest- 
 igate, and in an hour the horses were back in their stalls. Of course 
 the general knew nothing of the taking, but he had influence with some- 
 body who knew much. 
 
 During a shelling of Chattanooga, probably August 21, 1 863, a 
 shell exploded near the Richardson home and blew off the leg of a 
 little neighborhood girl. This was the first bloody glimpse of war 
 for Joe, and he declares to this day that he was so scared he ran wildly 
 to the eastward and never stopped to take breath until he came up 
 against the foot of Missionary Ridge. The wounded child recovered, 
 and visited in Chattanooga not many years since. Another shell dropped 
 into the Richardson yard and buried itself to a suitable depth without 
 exploding. It remained until 1 896, when a son of James T. William- 
 son, who then owned the property, dug it up and regarded it as a good 
 relic. 
 
 With the R. W. Corbin family boarded a young lieutenant named 
 Hogue. He had charge of an ambulance corps, and near the close of 
 Missionary Ridge fight, invited Joe Richardson to accompany him to 
 the field. Probably as boy and man, Joe many times regretted the lieu- 
 tenant's good nature. They arrived on the field only a few minutes 
 before the last regular fighting, and started for town with a number of 
 wounded, forty or fifty of whom died before they reached the old ware- 
 house, comer of Fourth and Market streets, where those who lived were 
 given surgical attention. Joe dreamed of the battlefield sights for 
 years after. 
 
 Frank Crutchfield was a boy of eight years, usually very busy at 
 observation. He is now 'Squire Crutchfield, of Walker County, 
 Georgia. His father was the late Honorable William Crutchfield, who 
 had the memorable controversy with Jefferson Davis, at the Crutchfield 
 House, just prior to the war. During the war, Mr. Crutchfield did 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 19 
 
 much valuable scouting service for Union officers, including Grant and 
 Sheridan. Frank and his father were walking along by the corner of 
 Seventh and Chestnut streets, when a cannon ball came rolling near them, 
 after striking the baseboard of Doctor Green's fence, northwest corner. 
 Of course Frank had no better sense than to follow the ball and pick 
 it up. when he got a chance; but he had enough sense to drop it imme- 
 diately, for it was hot. 
 
 Frank went hunting for his father as Missionary Ridge fight was 
 opening, and had wandered to the spot now covered by an old cotton 
 factory building, east of East End Avenue, just south of the Belt Line, 
 when General Sheridan discovered him. "What are you doing here?" 
 asked Sheridan. Frank told him he was "just hunting for pa." "Take 
 that child home," he said to an orderly, and rode on, having business 
 just then of perhaps even more importance than looking after the safety 
 of a future Georgia justice of the peace. Frank's pa, just at that time, 
 was with Grant and Thomas, on Orchard Knob or in that vicinity. 
 
 Frank and his brother Tom, two years older, were passed through 
 the lines to visit their grandmother, at the home of their Uncle Tom, 
 who lived at the present site of East Chattanooga on the farm later 
 celebrated as Amnicola. They found the house converted into a hos- 
 pital, and saw mens' arms and legs being amputated with handsaws. 
 
 While William Cruthchfield was engaged in scouting service. Car- 
 ter, an engineer for the Western & Atlantic Railroad, helped him, some- 
 times, by acquiring important information and giving it to him. Billy 
 Fletcher was a blacksmith, working for the Nashville Road. Although 
 strongly for the Confederate cause, he boarded at the Crutchfield home, 
 where he was not without political sympathy, for Mrs. Crutchfield was 
 so decidedly Southern in her opinions that her scout husband did not 
 always impart to her all the information of war value that he picked 
 up. At table one time, Crutchfield and Fletcher engaged in a warm 
 dispute about the exact Confederate strength hereabout, in men, cannon, 
 and all arms. Crutchfield finally grew so recklessly positive that he 
 offered to bet five hundred dollars he was right. Fletcher took the bet, 
 and soon after went to Atlanta, where he had means of fortifying his 
 convictions with facts. He got them, wrote them down on paper, handed 
 them to Mr. Crutchfield, who scratched his head, gave up the point, paid 
 the bet, and then turned over the information to his Federal friends. 
 
 But being a good Union man did not always save Mr. Crutchfield's 
 belongings from officious interference by Federal troops. Frank saw 
 two "Yanks" kill their last cow, while old Sofe, his black mammy, was 
 milking her. The Crutchfield family was distinctly "well-to-do" at 
 least, but they had to live on limitations at times. Frank says they 
 used so much rice that he does not like the look, taste or even smell of 
 it to this day. They were without bread on at least one occasion, three 
 
20 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 davs in succession. There was a good deal of hunger among civilians. 
 Frank and 1 om saw soldiers frying bacon, and the former says it gave 
 forth the most delectable odor that ever came to his nostrils. The boys 
 5tood looking in silent but no doubt open mouthed covetousness, when 
 the "Yankees" took pity on them, broke hard tack into the cooking vessel, 
 made a dish they called "kush", and gave the hungry pair some. They 
 really believed it was the most guslable food that had ever happened 
 along. 
 
 A brother of Charles W. Vinson, long a leading citizen, killed a 
 Negro whom he caught robbing the cash till of King, Crutchfield & Com- 
 pany, and was imprisoned for a time. He overheard a conversation 
 between prisoners in an adjoining cell, from which he gathered that they 
 had robbed a paymaster and hidden the money in an old building, 
 corner of Sixth and Market. He told his brother Charles about it .and 
 the latter made investigation. He found $22,500, and delivered it to 
 the proper authority, later receiving as a reward, one thousand dollars. 
 
 Confederate guns sometimes hurled shells into or over the town, but 
 they seldom did much damage, perhaps because the muzzles could not 
 be sufficiently depressed. But one of the shells did Fritz Hardy no end of 
 mischief. He had been over in the territory now called Tannery Flats, 
 and somebody gave him a beef's head. He regarded it as a windfall of 
 rarest ray serene, if not an actual godsend. His mouth outwatered a 
 darkey's when he beholds the first Tvalermillion of a season. As he was 
 hieing him homeward at the best pace of which a boy like him is capable, 
 a shell burst, right over his head, as he thought. It may have been two 
 thousand feet above him, and half a mile to the right or to the left, but 
 it scared him "all right enough" and he straightway devoted all of his 
 attention to running away. Of course he dropped the precious, bovine- 
 some burden, and of course he ran so hard, so fast and so far, that he 
 forgot all about it and never once thought of it until he got home. And 
 then of course he was afraid to go back, lest he should lose his own head. 
 
 These few typical incidents of days that fortunately are no more, 
 must suffice for now. Many more will be given in the larger work 
 which is to follow. The Chattanooga Rebel, edited by Henry Wat- 
 terson, was an interesting institution of Confederate days, and that con- 
 ditions were unsettled is demonstrated by the announcement which ap- 
 peared so early as October 8, 1862, that no subscriptions would be 
 received for a longer period than one month, and cash must accompany 
 each order. The monthly price was one dollar. 
 
 In this paper, John L. Hopkins, A. D. C, published the following 
 order: 
 
 "I am instructed to assemble the conscripts of Hamilton 
 County; therefore, all persons between the ages of 18 and 35 
 who have been enrolled in Hamilton County, will report them- 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 21 
 
 selves to Lieut. S. M. Mosby, C. S. A., in Chattanooga, on 
 Saturday, 1 1 th, inst. They will be placed in the camp of instruc- 
 tion at Knoxville, Tenn. Those who are exempt will provide 
 themselves with proper papers to procure certificates of exemption. 
 Enrolling officers will give notice of this order to the conscripts 
 in their respective districts." 
 
 A few of many other documents at hand, held up here as "A light 
 for after times," and we leave this "pent-up Utica" for a while. 
 
 THE DOCUMENTS 
 
 "State of Tennessee, 
 Hamilton County: 
 
 "Before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace, in and 
 for said county, personally appeared Thomas H. Davis and made 
 oath that he is a member of the firm of Davis, Caruthers & Co., 
 of Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, that a Negro boy 
 named Ebon, who was lately apprehended in Chattanooga by L. 
 L. Carter and committed to jail by order of I. J. Browning, 
 Esq., is a runaway and the property of said Davis, Caruthers & 
 Co., who are residents of this state. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15 th day of August, 
 I860. 
 
 Joshua S. Green T. H. Davis 
 
 Justice of the Peace 
 
 (Seal) 
 
 Received of John H. Swaim, jailor of the jail in the town 
 of Chattanooga, the Negro boy above named and described, this 
 15 th August, 1860. 
 
 T. H. Davis". 
 
 "THE ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY 
 Express Forwarders 
 
 "Chatt., July 24, 1862. 
 
 "Received of J. H. Swaim, Jai. one slave named Roan, to 
 be forwarded hence to Montgomery, Ala., and there delivered 
 to Wm. Talley. 
 
 "It is agreed, and is a part of the conditions of this contract, 
 that the Adams Express Company are not to be held responsible 
 for any LOSS or DAMAGE arising from the dangers of the 
 Seas, Steam or River Navigation, nor for accidents on Railroad, 
 by collision or otherwise, under any circumstances whatever. Nor 
 
22 High Light s of Chattanooga History 
 
 are they responsible for the transportation or delivery of said 
 Slaves, after the same shall have been delivered by them to the 
 care of other parties (which the Adams Express Company are 
 hereby authorized to do.) for completing the transportation or 
 delivery. Nor are they liable for the natural death or escape of 
 said Slaves, or injury to them from any other cause, except the 
 actual default of their agents. 
 
 H. W. Potts. 
 Expense $38.00. Expense paid jailor. 
 For the proprietors." 
 
 "State of Tennessee, 
 Hamilton County. 
 
 "Personally appeared James M. Robinson before me, I. J. 
 Browning, an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and 
 makes oath in due form of law that a certain Negro boy Elick, in 
 the Jail in Chattanooga belongs to James R. Cockrell and no 
 other person, but is the proprty of James R. Cockrell in Pontotoc 
 County, Mississippi. This 2 November, 1 862. 
 
 "Jas. M. Robison." 
 
 "Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2 of November, 
 1862. I. J. Browning, J. P. 
 
 "State of Tennessee, 
 Hamilton County. 
 
 "Came before me J. S. Green, J. P., Capt. Thompson and 
 made oath that a Negro boy by the name of John, in prison in 
 Chattanooga, Tennessee, is his property. 
 
 "Reg. H. Thompson." 
 "Subscribed to before me this 14th day of July, 1863. 
 
 "J. S. Green, J. P." 
 "Received my fee. J. S. Green." 
 
 "State of Tennessee, 
 Hamilton County. 
 
 "Came before me J. S. Green, Justice of the Peace, John 
 Gresham, made oath that a Negro girl about I 3 years of age, 
 taken up as a runaway and now in Jail in Chattanooga, Ten- 
 nessee, is the property of and does belong to Mrs. M. E. Fain, 
 of Calhoon, Gordon County, Ga., and that the said Gresham is 
 authorized to receive said Negro gir^ for her. 
 
 "John Gresham." 
 "Subscribed and sworn to before me this 29th August, 1863. 
 
 "J. S. Green, J. P." 
 
High Lights 0/ Chattanooga History 23 
 
 "United States of America, 
 "State of Tennessee, 
 
 "County of Davidson, 
 
 "I, John H. Swaim, of the County of Hamilton and State of 
 Tennessee, do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to 
 the United States, and support and sustain the Constitution and 
 laws thereof; that I will maintain the national sovereignty para- 
 mount to that of all States, County, or Confederate powers; that I 
 will discountenance, discourage, and forever oppose secession, 
 rebellion, and disintegration of the Federal Union; that I disclaim 
 and denounce all faith and fellowship with the so-called Con- 
 federate States and Confederate Armies, and pledge my honor, 
 my property, and my life to the sacred performance of this, my 
 solemn oath of allegiance to the Government of the United Slates 
 of America. 
 
 "John H. Swaim." 
 
 "Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22 day of December, 
 1863. 
 
 •T. A. Elkin, 
 "Provost Marshal." 
 
 Mr. Swaim was the man who became somewhat noted as a jailor in 
 Chattanooga, and had charge of the institution sometimes known as 
 "Swim's Jail." 
 
 "CITIZENS' REGISTER PASS 
 •No. 319 
 
 "Headquarters Civic Guard 
 "Chattanooga, Dec. 4, 1 864. 
 "Mr. James R. Allison has registered for military duty in 
 Civic Guard. 
 
 "Edwin S. McCook 
 Commanding." 
 
 "Head-Quarters Post, Chattanooga, Tenn. 
 "May 5. 1865. 
 
 "GUARDS 
 
 "Will pass J. R. Allison, Jeweler Store, within City limits 
 for 30 days. 
 
 "By command of Col. C. H. Carlton. 
 
 "M. Buzzell, 
 "Lieut. 16th U. S. C. L. and Asst. Provost Marshal." 
 
24 High Lights of Chattano oga History 
 
 "Chattanooga Post Headquarters, 
 
 "Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 8, 1865. 
 
 "Guards and patrols will pass the bearer, Mr. P. L. Gamble, 
 foreman of the Chattanooga Gazette, through the post at all 
 hours. 
 
 "Wm. B. Gaw, 
 Colonel Commanding." 
 
 TO CHICKAMAUGA 
 
 That Chattanooga was one of the most important objectives of the 
 war is a familiar truth of history. General Cist, who was on the staffs 
 of both Rosecrans and Thomas, expresses an estimate of its importance 
 held by military authorities, thus: 
 
 "In a number of places Bragg's official report shows that 
 his army was so crippled that he was not able to strengthen one 
 portion of his line, when needed, with troops from one part of the 
 field, and after the conflict was over his army was so cut up that 
 it was impossible for him to follow up his apparent success and 
 secure possession of the objective point of the campaign — Chatta- 
 nooga. This great gateway of the mountains remaining in pos- 
 session of the Army of the Cumberland," etc. 
 
 Why the place was so important may have been the subject of spec- 
 ulation, even to students of history. The explanation has been very 
 tersely given by Major W. J. Colbum, now living here, who was a 
 Federal soldier and officer of long experience, and especially familiar 
 with local conditions. He was on the staff of General Brannan, chief 
 of artillery. Army of the Cumberland, 
 
 "The geographical influences and conformation of mountain 
 ranges pierced by a navigable river running toward the Mississippi, 
 marked Chattanooga as the term.inal of important trunk lines of 
 railroad and a place destined to attain great commercial importance. 
 The same conditions pointed to Chattanooga as the military gate- 
 way to the Central South." 
 
 We have seen that the place was shelled more than once, by Fed- 
 eral forces. The demonstrations of June 7th and 8th, 1862, were 
 made under immediate command of General Negley, though the troops 
 belonged to Mitchell's division. Negley made a feint of crossing the 
 river, but there was no serious engagement. General Ledbetter, com- 
 manding in the town, replied to the shelling with two or three guns. As 
 matter of fact, most of the shelling and threatening from across the river 
 were mere feints, and part of the stratagem of Rosecrans, which was one 
 of the finest military conceptions known to the war. He employed 
 
High Lights 0/ Chattanooga History 25 
 
 four brigades at points all the way from Williams Island, only about 
 six miles below the city, to Knoxville, and caused them to make sundry 
 demonstrations, always presenting the most formidable appearance in 
 front of and near Chattanooga. While Bragg was alertly watching all 
 of these diversions, Rosecrans effected crossings at four points, con- 
 siderable distances below, being Caperton's Ferry, Bridgeport, mouth 
 of Battle Creek, and Shellmound. 
 
 John Morgan was here with his command in 1862, and was joined 
 by two full companies of Texas troops. When Buell received orders 
 to open his campaign in East Tennessee, Chattanooga was his objective 
 point. When Johnston retreated from Nashville, he sent all surplus 
 stores to Chattanooga. Bragg deemed it the advantageous point for 
 refitting his command and assuming an offensive. In July, 1862, 
 Forrest was here with some two thousand men. In July of that year, 
 Bragg sent three or four thousand troops from here, destined for Nash- 
 ville. In August, 1862, two brigades of Cleburne's and Preston 
 Smith's forces were sent from here. The Confederate base of supplies 
 was here in 1863, and the entire country south of Duck River was 
 tributary to it. It was here that Bragg made his last stand in contest for 
 a foothold in Tennessee, writing to Johnston, "The Tennessee will be 
 taken as our line." 
 
 Bragg had credit, even among the most eminent of his antagonists, of 
 being a remarkably intelligent and well informed man, not only as to 
 matters military, but generally. He occupied Chattanooga the first 
 week in July, 1 863, and retired the ninth of September following. It 
 was not so much that he was actually driven out as that he realized 
 lack of strength to both hold the place and successfully make the attack 
 upon Union forces that he contemplated; his plan being to engage and 
 drive them back or destroy them as they emerged from various mountain 
 fastnesses, approaching this place. He took position extending from 
 Lee and Gordon's Mill, at Crawfish Spring, Georgia, to LaFayette. 
 The Federal general, Negley, had been ordered into McLemore's Cove, 
 and occupied it September 9th. Bragg sent Buckner and Hindman to 
 look after him. Cleburne was to join them for attack on hearing their 
 guns. The first was fired, after having been long and anxiously awaited, 
 about mid-afternoon of the I 0th. The expectation was to cut through 
 Negley's forces and proceed to LaFayette, but Negley had retired to 
 Steven's Gap. There was much action and a deal of manoeuvreing on 
 the part of both armies, all through those valleys, foothills and ridges, 
 for days before Chickamauga battle began. It might have reminded 
 participants of the words: 
 
 "Of riding and running such tidings they bear 
 
 We must meet them at home, else they'll quickly be here." 
 
 September 1 7th Bragg deemed his forces in satisfactory positions, 
 
26 High Light s of Chattanooga History 
 
 and gave orders that a movement across the Chickamauga should begin 
 at 6 o'clock next morning. There was delay, and the crossing was not 
 effected until late in the afternoon, when Hood accomplished it. In the 
 night. Walker joined him. Thomas, the Federal general, to become 
 "The Rock of Chickamauga," moved his entire corps and closed in on 
 Crittenden's right along Chickamauga, the I 7th, and was joined in the 
 night by McCook. The fourth division of this command moved to the 
 left of Crawfish Spring in the afternoon of the 18th. All night they 
 continued moving to the left, and at daybreak of the 19th had reached 
 Kelly's farm; Baird's division in advance took position at the forks of 
 the road, facing toward the Reed and Alexander bridges. The 1 7th, 
 Brannan's forces closely followed McCook's corps and were concen- 
 trated in McLemore's Cove. In the night following. Lytic joined him 
 with two of his brigades. Part of McCook's command closed on the 
 1 4th Federal army corps. In the same morning, Wood, a Federal com- 
 mander, was at Lee & Gordon's Mill, and reported that the Confederates 
 were advancing on his left with a strong line of skirmishers. Palmer, 
 another Federal general, was placed, the same day, at VanCleve's left, 
 on the Chickamauga. Wood held position at Lee & Gordon's Mill. 
 
 Col. Dan McCook, Federal, made a reconnoisance to Chickamauga 
 Creek and burned Reed's Bridge, in the evening of September 1 6th. 
 W. H. T. Walker's corps. Confederate, crossed to the west side of the 
 stream below Alexander's Bridge, the same day, and moved up stream, 
 opposite, about 10 in the morning of the 19th. Brannan's division. 
 Federal, encountered a Confederate force and met with stubborn re- 
 sistance. Bragg halted Walker's command and directed them to return 
 for reinforcement of Forrest, who was engaged with Croxlon's force 
 in front of Brannan's division. This engagement brought on the battle 
 before Bragg had his positions arranged to his satisfaction. 
 
 Thomas ordered Baird's command forward to Croxton's support, 
 and these two forces combined drove the Confederates some distance, 
 causing them serious losses, including numbers of prisoners captured. 
 
 Croxton's ammunition became exhausted and he was ordered to the 
 rear. Brannan's and Baird's divisions drove the Confederates from their 
 front. Baird learned from prisoners that a heavy Confederate force 
 was immediately at his front, massing for attack. He drew back and 
 waited for Bragg's attack on his right line. This was made by Walker, 
 whose corps bore down on the waiting Federals with fury and yells of 
 confidence, assaulting Scribner's and King's brigades and driving them 
 back in disorder. 
 
 McCook took position at Crawfish Spring in early morning of the 
 19th, beyond the extreme left of the Confederate army, massing his 
 troops and waiting for orders. A little after I he was directed to take 
 command of the right and cavalry on the flank; also to send Johnson's 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 27 
 
 division to the left for report to Thomas. Then came an order from 
 Rosecrans, directing that he send Davis's division to Thomas, also. 
 With various reinforcements the line was formed and attack made upon 
 the flank of Walker's corps, driving it back to first position. Brannan's 
 division drove back the head of the column, and retook artillery which had 
 been captured from Baird when he was driven back. Cheatham's divi- 
 sion re-enforced Walker's and the two commands advanced with great 
 enthusiasm. A gap was made in their lines, into which Stewart's divi- 
 sion was thrown. They drove back Johnson's forces in disorder, and 
 Palmer was forced to retire. VanCleve went to his support, and was 
 driven back. Then Reynolds was overpowered, and the Confederates 
 seemed to be having everything about their own way. Davis came into 
 the action with his command and checked the Confederate advance. 
 Wood went to his assistance and the Federal lines were reformed; the 
 forces of Stewart, Walker and Cheatham were driven back to their 
 original positions. Sheridan left Lytle's brigade to hold Lee & Gordan's 
 Mill on the extreme right, and moved to the left in support of the new 
 line near Wood's and Davis's positions. He helped drive back the Con- 
 federates and Bradley's brigade recaptured the 8th Indiana battery pre- 
 viously taken by the Confederates. A considerable number of prisoners 
 were captured from Longstreet's corps. 
 
 At 2.30 p. m. the Confederates made a mighty assault on the Fed- 
 eral right. Hood's corps going against Reynolds's and Van Cleve's 
 divisions and meeting with heavy losses from musketry and artillery. 
 The battle now approached Widow Glenn's house, where Rosecrans had 
 headquarters. The Federal right centre was pierced, and the Confed- 
 erates gained LaFayette road. Negley, from the right of McCook's 
 command, and Brannan, from Thomas's left, now went into the fight 
 driving back Hood and Johnson, and keeping up the pursuit until dark, 
 when the Federals were re-occupying their old positions. Cleburne, with 
 a division from Hill's corps, supported by Cheatham, assaulted first 
 Johnson, then Baird, with fierce energy. This struggle lasted until 
 considerably after dark, with heavy losses on both sides. 
 
 For the next day's operations, Thomas sent Baird's and Johnson's 
 divisions to new positions, Baird's on the extreme left. Palmer and 
 Reynolds were placed on the right of Johnson, with Brannan to the rear 
 and right of Reynolds, as reserve. 
 
 During the night, Bragg ordered in all re-enforcements that should 
 arrive by rail, and summoned his generals to council, giving orders for 
 the morrow. His forces were divided into two commands, under Long- 
 street and Polk. Rosecrans assembled his corps commanders at Widow 
 Glenn's house, and made dispositions for next day. Thomas was to 
 hold the Rossville Road, Brannan in reserve. McCook, with Sheridan's 
 and Davis's divisions was ordered to maintain his picket line until it was 
 driven back. Davis, left division, was to close on Thomas and have 
 
28 High Lig hts of Chattanooga History 
 
 "his right refused covering the position at Glenn house." Crittenden 
 was charged to hold two divisions. Wood's and VanCleve's, in reserve, 
 near where the line of Wood and Thomas joined, to re-enforce as 
 needed. 
 
 Activities of the 19th had consisted chiefly of charges and counter- 
 charges "playing for position" in large measure, with success flitting from 
 side to side, somewhat like a working bee in honey-making time. Fed- 
 eral arms seemed to have gained the larger advantage, in that they held 
 the Rossville and Dry Valley roads. 
 
 A dense fog hung over Chickamauga Field in the morning of Sep- 
 tember 20th. Both Rosecrans and Bragg early reviewed their lines, and 
 neither was satisfied. Both realized vexatious delays regarding disposi- 
 tions and movements of forces. During the night. Federal troops had 
 constructed temporary breastworks of logs and rails, behind which 
 Thomas's command awaited attack. 
 
 At 8:30 a. m. it came, on the left, with heavy skirmish firing, and 
 about an hour later a tremendous assault followed, falling with full force 
 upon the brigade of Beatty, Negley's division, which was driven back 
 in confusion. Helms's Confederate brigade and Cleburne's division 
 advanced on Baird's front and were met by savage fire of canister and 
 musketry, resulting in a substantial check. Then, reinforced, the Fed- 
 erals drove them entirely from Baird's right and rear. Full two hours 
 of hard fighting ensued, in which the forces of Breckenridge's left pressed 
 upon Johnson, Palmer and Reynolds, successively; but they being each 
 time driven back, Bragg seemed to utilize every resource in an effort 
 to batter in the centre and dislodge Thomas's right. This failed, and the 
 Confederates fell back to the old positions. 
 
 Now occurred one of the wildest and most anxious episodes of the 
 whole war. Misunderstanding of real conditions by a lieutenant colonel, 
 then error in drafting an order, committed by an aide, imperiled Thomas 
 and the whole army to a frightful degree. What seemed to be a gap 
 between Wood's and Reynold's forces was reported, but it was in reality 
 only apparent, for Brannan was close by and only a little in the rear with 
 his command, and not out of line. Being ordered to close up the sup- 
 posed gap. Wood withdrew his entire command from the front, execut- 
 ing an order impossible of proper execution, leaving a real gap of two 
 brigades extent in the line of battle. Before it could be effectively 
 closed, Longstreet discovered the situation and hurled into the weak- 
 ened position the divisions of Stewart, Hood, Kershaw, Johnson and 
 Hindman, with the large division of Preston in support. Walworth and 
 Lytle were ordered to change front and return to assist in an effort at 
 repulse; other forces joined, but the right was turned and the Federals 
 suffered loss of many prisoners, fifteen guns and large numbers of wagon 
 trains. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 29 
 
 In this maelstrom of battle. General Lytle, author of "I am dying, 
 Egypt, dying," was killed. The Federal right was completely broken, 
 and five brigades of that wing cut off entirely from the command. 
 
 Bragg sought to turn Thomas's left and cut him off from Chatta- 
 nooga. He extended his right by removing Breckenridge's division 
 beyond its former position, and ordered Walker's corps to that general's 
 left, Cleburne's right on the left of Walker. Breckenridge got into 
 position on the Chattanooga road, partly in the rear of Thomas, detached 
 from the main body of the Confederates engaged in the movement to 
 execute this plan. He made a confident assault, but was met by three 
 brigades commanded by Vanderveer, Willich and Gorse, who drove 
 him back to his original line. Thomas was in desperate plight, and sent 
 an aide to hurry up the forces of Sheridan. A large mass of troops was 
 discovered moving on the ridge a little to the rear of Reynolds, and 
 doubt arose whether they were Sheridan's, coming to the relief, or Con- 
 federates. Thomas made a personal investigation, determined that they 
 were Confederates, and ordered that they be fired upon. He placed 
 Brannan's division on Horseshoe Ridge, and on the spurs in the rear 
 posted the artillery. Wood was ordered to place his division in line 
 with Branann's, which had barely been achieved when the Confederates 
 were upon them in savage attack, which was repulsed. 
 
 Gordon Granger, at Rossville, with three reserve brigades, noted 
 great increase of firing at the front, and felt convinced that Thomas 
 must be very hard pressed. Though against orders, he determined to 
 go to the assistance, and arrived about 3 p. m. He reported to Thomas, 
 and soon engaged in the titanic struggle of that most critical hour of the 
 fateful day. He hurled the forces of Whittaker and Mitchell against 
 the Confederates engaged in the deadly onslaught. Steedman, seizing 
 the colors of a regiment, led his command in a charge. In about twenty 
 minutes he was in occupation of both ridge and gorge. The carnage of 
 this period was superlatively terrible. About 4 o'clock Longstreet deter- 
 mined to make an attempt to retake the ridge. With the familiar "Rebel 
 Yell" conjuring up the echoes and driving them back to their lairs again, 
 Preston's men charged heroically up the hill, supported by Kershaw's 
 and Johnson's commands, part of Hindman's, and later by those of 
 Stewart. With a deadly succession of charges and counter-charges the 
 carnival of slaughter proceeded for nearly two hours, and when night 
 came Thomas was still holding the ridge. An unauthorized order had 
 sent Thomas's ammunition train back to Chattanooga, and there was 
 alarming scarcity of ammunition before the fighting was over. What 
 Grainger had taken with him was distributed to the troops, and finally 
 requisition was made upon cartridge boxes of the dead, both sides being 
 made to silently yield up their supplies, no longer useful to them. Then 
 bayonet onslaughts were ordered. 
 
 Much other desperate fighting occurred that day, but the Granger 
 
30 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 demonstration constituted a supreme climax, an episode which doubtless 
 saved the Union army from crushing defeat. 
 
 Rosecrans went to the extreme right with the purpose of directing 
 Sheridan's movements, but was caught in the vortex, and after an attempt 
 to rejoin Thomas, accompanied by Garfield, his chief of staff, and 
 others, he went on to Rossville, there to determine whether it were bet- 
 ter to renew effort at rejoining Thomas or go to Chattanooga and make 
 preparations for disposition of his army after v/hat he was forced to 
 believe would be irreparable disaster. They found everything in con- 
 fusion, "rout on rout, confusion worse confounded," at Rossville. Wild- 
 est rumors in circulation were accepted as true upon mere statement, 
 without second inquiry or even thought. They were told that the whole 
 army was defeated and in frenzied retreat; that both Thomas and Rose- 
 crans were killed. Part of this report Rosecrans knew to be at least 
 "greatly exaggerated", — but being earnestly advised thus by Garfield, 
 he came on to Chattanooga, and Garfield made his way back to the scene 
 of conflict. Here, Rosecrans was soon joined by McCook and Crit- 
 tenden. The chief was almost in collapse from fatigue, nervous tension 
 and lack of food. The hour was about 4 p. m. While the officers 
 were discussing events of the day and speculating as to the probable 
 extent of catastrophe, Rosecrans received a dispatch from Garfield. 
 He had reached Thomas and found him with seven divisions intact, and 
 a number of detachments. He had repulsed another heavy onslaught, 
 and believed that he could hold out. Rosecrans read the dispatch and 
 exclaimed, "Thank God! This is good enough. The day isn't lost 
 yet." He ordered McCook and Crittenden back to the front; directed 
 Wagner, in command of the post, to stop all stragglers as they attempted 
 to enter town; sent rations, ammunition, etc., to Rossville. To that point 
 Thomas retired in the night, unobserved by the Confederates, and passed 
 next day in making arrangements for the safety of his troops and their 
 re-entry into Chattanooga. By 7 a. m. the 22nd, they were here, with- 
 out having suffered the loss of a man in the move. 
 
 The Battle of Chickamauga was in point of tactics and of relative 
 forces, the hardest fought and bloodiest of the war. As to numbers 
 engaged, it ranked sixth, — Gettysburg being first, Spottsylvania next; 
 then the Wilderness, Antietam and Chancellorsville. The losses at 
 Chickamauga were: Federal, killed, I, 687, wounded, 9,394, missing, 
 5,255. Total, 16,336. Confederate, killed, 2,673, wounded, 16,- 
 274. missing, 2,003. Total, 20,950. 
 
 As to forces engaged on the respective sides, there has always been 
 and still is, dispute. It will not be elaborated here. Authorities con- 
 sidered as expressing the Federal claim, say the army of Rosecrans num- 
 bered 55,000 and that of Bragg, 70.000, Those who are thought to 
 express the Confederate viev/, say Rosecrans had 64,392, and Bragg, 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 31 
 
 47,321. Colonel J. C. Nisbet, who was in the battle and commanded 
 a Confederate regiment, later a brigade, estimates the numbers at about 
 60,000 of all arms on each side. It seems matter of little consequence. 
 The battle was a sublime demonstration of American valor: all Amer- 
 ican, whatever and wherever may have been the greater glory for the 
 moment. It demonstrated that peace-loving Americans are no dille- 
 tante nor timid foemen when they conclude to fight, and suggests to 
 peoples of this day that if they could fight each other thus, they will 
 be foemen to reckon with, lined for battle or intrenched, fighting to- 
 gether for a common cause and united country. Great battle as was 
 Chickamauga, it had no really decisive character. Little Saratoga, 
 with only 19,000 men engaged on both sides, and losses almost insig- 
 nificant, was a decisive battle of the v/orld. Chickamauga was a big 
 fight. 
 
 RAISING THE SIEGE 
 
 The Siege of Chattanooga lost no time in arrival, after Chick- 
 amauga. If it did not begin at once, then like Hamlet's mother's v/ed- 
 ding after Hamlet's father's funeral, "it followed hard upon." The 
 plan of Bragg was to starve out the beleagured army, and he came 
 very near to a complete success. To effect the siege he took possession 
 of Missionary Ridge overlooking Chattanooga ; occupied Lookout Moun- 
 tain, and assumed control of the Tennessee River and the river road to 
 Bridgeport. He held Raccoon Mountain, commanding the Nashville 
 Railroad, and the best roads, in fact the only really available ones, on 
 both sides of the river. A line was intrenched in Chattanooga Valley, 
 extending from the river, east of town, to Lookout Mountain; and a 
 line extended along the base of Missionary Ridge, with spurs of riflepits 
 hall way up the front. Confederate pickets were stationed so far into 
 the valley that those of the two armies could converse; indeed, at one 
 point they were separated only by Chattanooga Creek. 
 
 Fuel became exhausted, even to the stumps, and the Federals lacked 
 teams for hauling from distances. Rafts floated down the river from 
 points at considerable distance, on the north side, were the only m.eans 
 of supply. As for food supplies, etc., it was necessary to haul them 
 "by a circuitous route north of the river and over a mountain country, 
 a distance of over sixty miles." The most of them were hauled from 
 Bridgeport and vicinity, up Sequatchie Valley and across Walden's 
 Ridge. 
 
 When General Grant took command, his problems were to establish 
 a Cracker Line", feed the army into effective condition, and then raise 
 the siege. It was vitally necessary that he be expeditious in this, so that 
 he might send relief to Burnside, who was in desperate plight at Knox- 
 ville. For the work of opening a line of supplies. Grant had the advan- 
 tage of a feasible plan which had been devised by Rosecrans. 
 
32 High Lig hts of Chattanooga History 
 
 Hooker, at Bridgeport, was ordered to cross the river and march 
 up the south side to Brown's Ferry; Palmer to move down the river on 
 the north side, to a point opposite Whiteside, then cross and hold the 
 road in Hooker's rear after he should have passed. 
 
 Hazen's task was to move eighteen hundred men and sixty pontoon 
 boats from Chattanooga, at night, to Brown's Ferry, land on the south 
 side and capture or drive away the Confederate pickets. W. F. Smith's 
 part was to move down the north side, under cover of night, taking along 
 material for a bridge to be thrown across at Brown's Ferry. 
 
 October 28th Hooker entered Lookout Valley at Wauhatchie, and 
 the river was open to Bridgeport. The achievement surprised Bragg, and 
 he strove to reover the advantage lost. Longstreet attacked Geary at 
 Wauhatchie in the night of the 28th, and while Howard was attempt- 
 ing to reach Geary, the next day, his force was attacked from a foot- 
 hill, but the position of the attacking party was charged and captured. 
 A sharp fight progressed for three hours, much of the time in such dense 
 darkness that the participants could not distinguish friend from enemy 
 except by such light as the gun flashes afforded. 
 
 By 4 o'clock the next morning, fighting had ceased and the "Cracker 
 Line" was an accomplished fact.. 
 
 November 20th Bragg notified Grant that it would be prudent to 
 remove any non-combatants in Chattanooga, at an early moment. Of 
 course this implied a purpose to bombard the town, but Grant believed it 
 a ruse of war, treating it accordingly. Fort Wood was at the north- 
 eastern part of the town, and in it were twenty-two pieces of artillery 
 capable of reaching nearest points of the Confederate lines. 
 
 November 23rd, Thomas moved Granger's corps to the foot of 
 Fort Wood, and caused the troops to be formed as if for parade. 
 Sheridan on the right and Wood on the left. Their lines extended to 
 Citico Creek. Howard's corps moved to rear of the center. The 
 picket lines were within a few hundred yards of each other. By 2 
 o'clock in the afternoon, everything was in readiness for advance. The 
 signal for it was cannon fire from Fort Wood and several other points. 
 The Confederate pickets were driven back upon the main guards occu- 
 pying various minor eminences between the Federal lines and the Ridge, 
 That day's work gave the Federals an advance of fully a mile in 
 position. The loss so far was about 1 , 1 00 killed and wounded on 
 the Federal side, and approximately the same for the Confederates, 
 including prisoners taken. 
 
 That night Morgan L. Smith's division moved to the point up river 
 where the pontoon bridge was to be thrown across. Brannan, with 
 forty pieces of artillery, took position to command important points 
 opposite, and protect that where was to rest he south end of the bridge. 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 33 
 
 At 2 in the morning of November 24tli, Giles A. Smith moved 
 out of North Chattanooga with one hundred and sixteen boats, manned 
 by thirty men each, and with the utmost silence practicable, approached 
 the mouth of South Chickamauga, where he landed a few boats. The 
 men debarked and surprised the Confederate guards, twenty of whom 
 they captured. Then the remainder of this Federal force landed 
 where the bridge was to begin. Sherman's command was soon ferried 
 over, a steamer having been sent up from town to assist. Soon as the 
 troops landed they commenced to intrench. By davlight, the divisions 
 of M. L. Smith and John E. Smith were over, and well protected by 
 the works just built. 
 
 About noon, the bridge for artillery and cavalry was comoleted. 
 Infantry had all along been ferried over, and all were soon across. 
 By 1 o'clock, Sherman began an assault on the ridge. By 3:30 he 
 had gained the first height, with small loss. 
 
 Lookout Mountain and the top of Missionary Ridge were obscured 
 from view of those in the valley, by clouds, but about half past three 
 the Confederates opened fire, and skirmishers attempted to drive off 
 their assailants. Another attempt of the kind was made later, but 
 both failed, and Sherman had opportunity to fortify positions gained. 
 Giles A. Smith was wounded and carried from the field. 
 
 All of this time Hooker had been engaged west of Lookout Creek, 
 the east bank of which was strongly intrenched and picketed by the 
 Confederates, reenforced by three brigades on the summit of Lookout 
 Mountain. 
 
 In the morning of the 24th, Hooker attempted to cross Lookout 
 Creek with Geary's division and a brigade belonging to Cruft's com- 
 mand. The bridge was seized after a slight skirmish, a heavy mist 
 hiding Geary from the Confederates on top of the mountain, so he 
 crossed the creek "almost unobserved and captured the picket of over 
 forty men on guard nearby." 
 
 He began moving up the mountain, directly in his front. The Con- 
 federate forces were coming down and occupying riflepits, to contest 
 the crossing of the bridge. Osterhaus had ascended, and there was 
 hard skirmishing with substantial losses. The Confederates gave way 
 on seeing their left and rear menaced, and were followed by Crufts 
 and Osterhaus. By noon, "Geary had gained the open ground on the 
 north slope of the mountain, with his right close to the base of the 
 upper palisade, while there were strong fortifications in his front. A 
 line was soon formed from the base of the upper palisade to the mouth 
 of Chattanooga Creek." 
 
 The heights were scaled early in the morning of November 25 th, 
 and the Stars and Stripes unfurled from the Point. When the sun 
 
34 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 rose and troops down in the valley beheld that sight, there was much 
 of wild cheering, "that the flag was still there." For the spectacular 
 and ardent service of surmounting those heights and planting the colors 
 there, volunteers had been invited, and there were plenty and to spare. 
 The honor of being there first, and planting the colors where the boys 
 thought they belonged, has been claimed on behalf of men belonging 
 to the 8th Kentucky, and also for both New Yorkers and Pennsyl- 
 vanians. The weight of authority gives preference to the Kentuckians. 
 
 Grant, Thomas, and numbers of others were on Orchard Knob. 
 The line was continuous from the point where Sherman had crossed 
 the river, up Chickamauga Creek to the base of Missionary Ridge; 
 over the top at north end of the ridge to Chattanooga Valley; then 
 parallel to the ridge a mile or more across the valley to the mouth ol 
 Chattanooga Creek — "thence up the slope of Lookout Mountain to 
 the foot of the upper palisade." But the day was so hazy that 
 Hooker's operations could not be seen except at morp.ents when the 
 clouds would lift. However, the reports of his artillery and musketry 
 were constantly heard, all along the lines. In the afternoon, the clouds 
 which had so obscured the mountain top all of the eventful day, with 
 all of its eventful and history-making activities, settled down and ren- 
 dered it so dark as to quite stop operations for a time. By a little 
 after five of the same evening direct communication was established 
 with Hooker, and a brigade was sent from Chattanooga, to reen force 
 him. They met with opposition at Chattanooga Creek, but overcame 
 it, and by night their commander, Carlin, reported to Hooker. Sher- 
 man's right was now at the Tunnel, and his left at Chickamauga 
 Creek. 
 
 November 25th, began clear, and the whole field was in view from 
 Orchard Knob, remaining so throughout the day. Sherman's troops 
 were in motion by sunrise. Morgan L. Smith moved along the east 
 base of Missionary Ridge, and Loomis along the west base, the former 
 advancing to the extreme end of the Confederate works, and cutting 
 the Confederates off from their base of supplies at Chickamauga 
 Station, on the Western & Atlantic Road. A hard fight was made to 
 regain this point, but without success. Corse, the Federal commander, 
 was severely wounded. 
 
 The Confederates having abandoned Lookout Mountain the night 
 before. Hooker was expected now to be crossing the ridge near Ross- 
 ville, and his appearance there was to be the signal for Thomas to 
 assault the ridge. But Hooker was detained some hours by destruction 
 of the bridge over Chattanooga Creek, and Sherman was so fiercely 
 beset that Grant ordered a charge, without ^vaiting longer for Hooker. 
 Tliere was an hour of delay in executing this order, for what reasons 
 and by whose fault is not clear. But when the signal of six guns, fired 
 
High Lights of Chattanooga History 35 
 
 in rapid succession from Orchard Knob, thundered the news that some- 
 thing was to be done by way of breaking what had been a long monotony 
 of inaction to some of the Federal troops, they sprang to the work with 
 extreme avidity. There was loud cheering as the Confederate advance 
 was driven toward the ridge, while troops of both blue and gray went 
 over the first line of works almost at the same instant. Many Con- 
 federates were captured and sent to the rear under fire of their own 
 guns higher up. Many others retreated and were pursued, and accord- 
 ing to General Grant were so placed between friends and foes that 
 their friends were compelled to fire high to avoid killing them. In fact, 
 this authority says, the Union soldier nearest the Confederate forces 
 was in the safest position. 
 
 The Federal troops now took affairs of battle into their own hands 
 and executed probably the nearest to a really unique feat of war that 
 was known to his great four years' struggle. 
 
 Without stopping for further orders, to reform, or even to take 
 breath, as it would seem, they pushed on to the second line of Con- 
 federate works — over it and toward the crest of Missionary Ridge, 
 while cannon and musket balls fairly filled the air; pushed on with 
 the zest of schoolboys storming a snow fort, while the retreat of those 
 in front of them, not less brave, became general and was the beginning 
 of signal defeat and end of a battle which will forever stand out con- 
 spicuous in history; that will not, cannot, be forgotten. 
 
 There were, of course, many other details; more fighting, more 
 suffering, more retreating, more pursuit — but such in rather swift out- 
 line, was the famous Battle of Missionary Ridge. It was merely one 
 act, one grand act by many noble actors in both these troops of gallant 
 players on the stage of grim visaged war — one act in the mighty drama 
 which was the Battle of Chattanooga, by which another great event 
 of that great war was brought to an end — The Siege of Chattanooga. 
 
 That part of the general engagement known as the Battle of Look- 
 out Mountain and that known as "The Battle Above the Clouds," 
 was precisely the same engagement. But WAS there a battle above 
 the clouds? Just as certainly as there was a battle on the slopes and 
 heights of Missionary Ridge, or had been one down in the vales and 
 on the hills of Chickamauga Field. Some pains has been taken, for 
 what purpose it is difficult even to surm.ise, to make it appear that 
 the Battle Above the Clouds is a myth and imposition upon history. 
 But it was so actually a batlte above clouds, that clouds had much 
 to do with it and affected the whole series of engagements in and around 
 Chattanooga; as for instance, the unobserved movements of Geary's 
 troops across Chattanooga Creek. Any who doubt that there could 
 have been indeed a battle above the clouds, need only go to the point 
 where the principal fighting was done, any good day for cloud-hunting. 
 
36 High Lights of Cha ttanooga History 
 
 and he may see forests below his footing with clouds lowering over 
 them and hovering in their branches as if seeking to roost there. Not 
 infrequently he might see birds soaring above the clouds, and yet below 
 the level of his view point. 
 
 In the course of research for facts of local history, the writer has 
 personally interviewed numbers of men who were in the engagement, 
 and testified to the existence of clouds below the contending forces. 
 Scores are now living, no doubt, who could bear testimony to the same 
 purport. 
 
 The losses in all these engagements which constituted the Battle 
 of Chattanooga, were, according to what is considered the most satis- 
 factory authority: Federal, killed, 757, wounded 4,529, missing, 
 330. Total, 5,616; Confederate, killed, 361, wounded, 2,181, miss- 
 ing, 6,142; aggregate, killed, wounded and missing, both sides, 14,300. 
 
 Possibly these figures seem rather small to same readers. Battles 
 are not always great in proportion to losses. Conservation of life and 
 limb are considerations of good generalship and war science. Casual- 
 ties of battle are very seldom so great in numbers as imagination is 
 wont to picture them. Certainly nothing was spared at Waterloo that 
 could be thought to make for victory; yet the losses of both sides were 
 only 49,485. 
 
 CHATTANOOGA IN NINETEEN HUNDRED AND 
 SEVENTEEN 
 
 As seen, our first manufacturing plant was a plate of rattlesnake 
 located on a tall stump. It was an oil refinery and medicine factory 
 combined. The first actual factory was a car and foundry establish- 
 ment, belonging to East Tennessee Iron Manufacturing Company, 1850. 
 Our first store was a log cabin, which served the combined purpose 
 of store and saloon, according to good authority. 
 
 At the close of 1917, we have upwards of three hundred manu- 
 facturing establishments, turning out more than twelve hundred kinds 
 of articles. The Manufacturers' Association has a membership of one 
 hundred and twenty-five firms, besides two hundred and thirty-eight 
 individual and ten associate members. The amount of capital repre- 
 sented by membership is $52,000,000, and the number of laborers 
 employed ranges from 10,000 to 15,000. So extensive is the manu- 
 facturing interest that a permanent exhibition of products is maintained 
 by the association, in its own building. To this the public are always 
 welcome, without charge or exaction. A forty-eight page catalogue 
 of manufactured articles has been published in the Spanish language 
 for distribution in Latin-American countries, and representatives of 
 many enterprises are constantly engaged in canvassing that great field. 
 
High LiChts 0/ Chattanooga History 37: 
 
 One plant is now employing a thousand men who are turning out 
 eighteen hundred shells daily, for which the concern is paid twenty-seven 
 dollars and fifty cents a shell. Another concern, of no specially dis- 
 tinguishing importance, is holding itself to the task of shipping daily forty 
 thousand dollars' worth of its own product in furniture, etc. 
 
 There are approximately forty wholesale and jobbing houses, car- 
 ried by capital aggregating close upon ten million dollars. They em- 
 ploy from two hundred to three hundred traveling salesmen, and the 
 territory within which trade of the kind is prosecuted, forms a radius 
 of about one hundred and fifty miles. Mr. John Stagmaier, president 
 of the enterprising Jobbers and Wholesale Dealers' Association, re- 
 cently said: 
 
 "With eight trunk lines entering our city, and with the Ten- 
 nessee River at our doors, Chattanooga is more a center for trade 
 than any city of its size that we know of. We have only in recent 
 years waked up to this fact, and the developments in jobbing 
 business prove it to be a fact." 
 
 "It is only a matter of a few years until the city can double 
 her jobbing business." 
 
 Aside from those already mentioned, there are numbers of useful 
 organizations having municipal welfare as central purpose ; among them 
 the militant Chamber of Commerce, with a membership of five hundred,^ 
 and a junior organization with a large number of members; a 
 Builders' Exchange, a Retail Grocers' Association and a Retail Mer- 
 chants' Association. The Rotarians, also, have a large membership. 
 
 Our population, including suburbs, was 105,309 when the 1917 
 city directory census was taken, and the suburbs are as much part 
 of the city in every sense except a mere matter of corporate li"e, as 
 are the municipal buildings, the police and fire organizations. Of the 
 more important suburbs, seven are now municipal corporations: North 
 Chattanooga, Riverview, East Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, St. 
 Elmo, Lookout Mountain and Alton Park. We are the big municipal 
 fish, almost surrounded by lesser ones, but all are fish of importance 
 and goodly proportions. Very recently we have acquired a suburb 
 to all intents and purposes, just over in Georgia, which is larger than 
 any of the older ones, and represents a pretty good-sized city of itself. 
 It is the army cantonment at Fort Oglethorpe, with its hundreds of 
 nice, new houses for the bo5'^s who want to go to France, and wouldn't 
 object to eating a Christmas dinner in Berlin, if the Kaiser should 
 invite them over hospitably. This suburb has about a dozen theaters 
 and like places of entertainment. 
 
 In very truth, we are a prosperous community, notwithstanding 
 some apostles of pessimism and prophets of evil. 
 
38 High Lights of Chattanooga History 
 
 Good wages are paid to laboring people, and fair profits reward 
 the efforts of legitimate business. Skilled mechanics command fifty 
 cents an hour and upwards. 
 
 We have metropolitan conveniences and advantages in all things- 
 Less than twenty years ago, we had not even one automobile. Now 
 there are in the county, and of course practically all in the city and 
 suburbs, 4,377. Chattanooga has, from the day that it was named, 
 been well provided with schools, but they were all private enterprises 
 until after the Civil War. Now we have a high class public school 
 system in city and county. Our fire and police departments would be 
 credit to any city, anywhere. 
 
 Grave apprehensions of unavoidable suffering from cold this winter 
 were for a time entertained, with good reason. Providentially, as 
 thoughtful persons may be permitted to believe, we had delightfully 
 moderate weather in the fall and early winter. But severe cold came 
 December 8th, and Sunday, the 9th, mercury showed its lowest record 
 here for December of which we know, with one exception. That was 
 the 30th of December, 1 880. The record this time was six and eight- 
 tenths degrees — above zero being meant, of course, and thai was far 
 too low down for Sunny Tennessee. 
 
 "Prices," did someone say? 
 
 It must be admitted that prices are somewhat lofty this season. 
 Those who suspect that a lot of "pure cussedness" is extant in this 
 situation are probably very close to being exactly right. Uncle Sam'll 
 get the guilty ones after a while if they "don't watch out." 
 
 None of the better parts of beef are expected at less than twenty 
 cents a pound, and from this price they go upward and onward, 
 according to the cupidity of dealers. Reminiscences of Civil War 
 days and prices are being evoked. Mrs. Candace Flinn paid forty 
 dollars in Confederate money, for a forty-eight pound sack of flour. 
 Thomas R. Harris gave his wife a pair of shoes for which he paid 
 one hundred dollars. But these were moderate prices compared with 
 some of which I have often been told, as having been paid before the 
 war ended. 
 
 This year. Thanksgiving turkeys demanded forty cents a pound for 
 themselves, and chickens were not much less egoistic. A friend told me 
 that his family economically eschewed turkey and contented themselves 
 with a dollar-and-sventy-five cents chicken. Eggs are fty cents a dozen, 
 and looking up. Butter is fifty-five cents a pound, and anticipates a 
 rise in its affairs. Sugar is twelve and a half cents a pound, and 
 merchants are enforcing a two-pound limit to each customer. The 
 entire stock lies in the stores of retailers, wholesalers not pretending to 
 have any, and they are not fooling the people for hoarding purposes. 
 
High Lights o j Chattanooga History 39 
 
 A sugar famine is expected for about Christmas time, but relief will 
 probably come along next month, in form of new crop Cuban sugar. 
 
 It may seem to some of you that all this current news and comment 
 of 1917 isn't much history. Keep it a hundred years, and it will be 
 first rate. History improves with age. 
 
 The End.