Umbrella Rock

A circa 1909 photograph of an unknown group of African Americans posing on the famous 'Umbrella Rock' located at a historic civil war site in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The area became known as the Battle of Chattanooga. Civilians, soldiers, families, and U.S. Presidents have posed on this famous rock.

The Battles for Chattanooga, was a series of battles in 1863 secured Chattanooga for the Union. The city of Chattanooga with its railroads and riverboats was a vital transportation center during the Civil War. Both armies recognized its importance. In the late summer and fall of 1863, several key military actions decided the fate of Chattanooga, and helped determine the fate of the Confederacy:

Battle of Chickamauga: Sept. 18-20, 1863
About 10 miles south of Chattanooga near West Chickamauga Creek, Confederate forces defeated the Union army in a bloody two-day battle. The Federals withdrew to Chattanooga and fortified the city.

Siege of Chattanooga: Sept. 22 - Nov. 23, 1863
Confederates laid siege to the city of Chattanooga to force the Federals to surrender. Confederates occupied positions along the Tennessee River, Missionary Ridge, and Lookout Mountain.

Union Army Reinforced: Late October, 1863
The besieged and hungry Federals managed to open a supply line through Lookout Valley into the city. With fresh troops and supplies, they were ready to fight by late November.

Battle of Orchard Knob: Nov. 23, 1863
Union troops stormed and captured Orchard Knob, a hill to the east of their defense line to the city.

Battle of Lookout Mountain: Nov. 24, 1863
Union forces drove the Confederates from their positions on Lookout Mountain. Because the mountain was partially shrouded in fog, the action was also called the "Battle Above the Clouds."

Battle of Missionary Ridge: Nov. 25, 1863
Union forces stormed and shattered Confederate units occupying Missionary Ridge. The siege was broken, and Chattanooga became the Federal base from which Major General William T Sherman would launch his Atlanta campaign in the Spring of 1864.

Source: www.cultheritage.com