Milestone Monday
On this day, November 25, 1863, the Battle of Missionary Ridge occurred. During this military engagement, Union troops, led by General Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), defeated the Confederate forces commanded by General Braxton Bragg (1817-1876) at Missionary Ridge in Tennessee, successfully concluding the Siege of Chattanooga.
The outcome of the Battle of Missionary Ridge had major implications for the Confederate Army. It exposed vulnerabilities in their defensive strategies and highlighted the challenges of commanding a dispersed and demoralized force. In the aftermath of the defeat, General Braxton Bragg faced intense criticism from both his troops and Confederate leadership, which eventually contributed to his reassignment.
The success at Missionary Ridge marked a key turning point in the Civil War. It secured control of Chattanooga and opened up the Deep South for subsequent Union offensives. This triumph set the stage for General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and his infamous March to the Sea. It also reinforced the Union's commitment to prevail against Confederate forces until the war's conclusion in 1865.
The success of Union forces during this battle underscored the importance of strong leadership and coordination among troops. General Ulysses S. Grant, known for his aggressive and strategic military tactics, was later appointed commander of all Union armies and played a pivotal role in the war's conclusion. He would later become the 18th president of the United States.
Today, Missionary Ridge is preserved as part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where visitors can learn about the battle strategies, the soldiers' experiences, and the broader context of the Civil War.
The images come from the following books in our Civil War Collections:
Lee and His Generals by Capt. William P. Snow, published in New York by Richardson & Company in 1867.
Braxton Bragg, General of the Confederacy by Don C. Seitz, published in Columbia, S.C. by The State Company in 1924.
The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant by Colonel J. F. C. Fuller, published in New York by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1929.
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant published in New York by C. L. Webster in 1885.
Life and Public Services of General Grant Being a Complete Life of the Great Hero Following His Career from the Cradle to its Close ... by William Ralston Balch, published in Chicago by J.S. Goodman in 1885.
View more of our Milestone Monday posts
-Melissa, Special Collections Graduate Intern
