Battle of Lookout Mountain

Tuesday, November 24, 1863

Kurz & Allison portrait of the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

As one of Confederate General Braxton Bragg's two high positions in his siege of Union forces at Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lookout Mountain becomes the site of the second major battle in the Chattanooga Campaign. General Grant orders Major General Joseph Hooker to make a demonstration attack against the Confederate forces on Lookout Mountain, under command of General Braxton Bragg. Hooker sends Brigadier General John W. Geary on a full attack against the mountain, which succeeds despite heavy fog that shrouds the battlefield. Bragg considers retreating from Chattanooga, but Major General John C. Breckinridge convinces him to stay and fight at the strong position on Missionary Ridge.