Currier & Ives Battle of Chattanooga, Tenn. Novr. 24th & 25th 1863
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02881.29 Author/Creator: Currier & Ives Place Written: New York, New York Type: Print Date: circa 1863 Pagination: 1 lithograph : col. ; 31.3 x 42.8 cm. Order a Copy
Hand colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives at 152 Nassau Street, New York. Subtitle is: "Between the Union forces under Genl. Grant, and the Rebel Army under Genl. Bragg." Caption under title says: "This great conflict began on Monday Novr. 23d. and has lasted until Thursday the 26th; but the main battles were fought on the 24th & 25th, resulting in a complete victory for the Union Arms. The battlefield extended six miles along Missionary Ridge, and several miles on Lookout Mountain, but the battle was so well ordered by Genl. Grant, and so heroically fought by his gallant Army, that at last the Rebels broke in utter and total confusion, throwing away their guns, and leaving artillery, caissons, ammunition and every thing of value behind them; reckless of all, save safety." Picture dominated by a triangle of furious hand-to-hand fighting where Union and Confederate troops are meeting. Background shows rows of troops charging behind them. Lithograph is mounted.
From the last days of September through October 1863, General Braxton Bragg’s Confederate army laid siege to the Union army under Major General William Rosecrans at Chattanooga, cutting off its supplies. On 17 October, Major General Ulysses S. Grant received command of the Western armies; he moved to reinforce Chattanooga and replaced Rosecrans with Major General George Thomas. A new supply line was soon established. Major General William T. Sherman arrived with his four divisions in mid-November, and the Federals began offensive operations. On 23-24 November, Union forces struck out and captured Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain. On 25 November, Union soldiers assaulted and carried the seemingly impregnable Confederate position on Missionary Ridge. One of the Confederacy’s two major armies was routed. The Federals held Chattanooga, the "Gateway to the Lower South," which became the supply and logistics base for Sherman’s 1864 Atlanta Campaign.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.