Battle of Wauhatchie
Wauhatchie, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
What happened
Union troops under Joseph Hooker, including John W. Geary's division, fought Confederates under Micah Jenkins, sent by James Longstreet. The Union army in Chattanooga was under siege. After Union troops seized Brown's Ferry on the Tennessee River to open a new supply route, Confederates attacked Geary's division at night at Wauhatchie Station. Geary's men held on until reinforcements arrived, and the Confederates withdrew toward Lookout Mountain.
Why it matters
The Union kept its new supply route, nicknamed the 'Cracker Line', open. Food, ammunition and reinforcements could now reach the army in Chattanooga.
What came next
The Battles for Chattanooga began on 23 November 1863, including the fighting at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
Did you know?
It was one of the few night battles of the Civil War, and soldiers joked that the runaway mules should be promoted to horses.
Timeline
- 27 Oct 1863Union troops seize Brown's Ferry.
- 28 Oct 1863Hooker's column links up at Brown's Ferry.
- 28–29 Oct 1863Battle of Wauhatchie.
- 23 Nov 1863The Battles for Chattanooga begin.