Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 183, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1913 — CREST ROAD, HISTORIC MISSIONARY RIDGE, CHATTANOOGA, TENN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CREST ROAD, HISTORIC MISSIONARY RIDGE, CHATTANOOGA, TENN.

The backbone of the Southern Confederacy was broken at the battie of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga. This engagement was fought on the evening of November 25, 1863, and resulted in a complete victory for the Union army under Gen. U. S. Grant The latter’s headquarters during the battle were at Orchard Knob, and the order to advance on the Confederate position at the foot of the Ridge, a mile distant, was given at 4 o'clock. It was necessary for the Union troops to advance across a level and comparatively open plain, under terfifle fire from the enemy’s cannon on the crest of the ridge and Its rifle pita at the base and half way up the ridge. In one hour after the order to advance had been fired from six cannons, the signal agreed upon, the crest of the ridge had been swept by the Union troops and the Confederates were In retreat The conclusion of this battie left the Chattanooga valley in control of the Union army and opened the way for the campaign to Atlanta, and Can Sherman's march to the sea, practically ending the war. Since the war, the crest of Missionary Ridge has been converted Into a government reservation In part a good road has been constructed the entire length of the ridge from Sherman Heights to Chickamauga, and many handsome state memorials have been erected on the sides and crest of the eminence. Chattanoog%’s more wealthy Citizens have built homes on the ridge, trolley service has been supplied, and Missionary Ridge tp-day is a beautiful place to visit A reunion of the survivors of the battle of Missionary Ridge will be held at some point on the crest of the ridge during the 47th national encampment of the Grand Army of the* Republic in September. No battle of greater importance was fought in the Southwest during the Civil War than that of Missionary Ridge. It opened a road Into the heart of the South for the union armies. _ ~ □».. , . ■ '■ > , 4 ■>" ' • '