The Confederates, in their 
attempt to hold Chattanooga 
against Grant's army, fortified 
Missionary Ridge, a seven mile 
long ridge east of the city.  
Grant, realized that this 
Confederate army must be 
destroyed or driven off, else 
his tenuous hold on southern 
Tennessee would be worthless.

His plan of attack was called 
for General Sherman to lead 
four divisions toward the  
north end of the ridge, turn 
southwards and march along the 
ridge, displacing the 
Confederates as he went.  
General Hooker, with three 
divisions, was to do the same 
from the southern end of the 
ridge.  General Thomas' four 
divisions were to pin the 
center.

The Union assault was launched 
November 25th, 1863.

The plan ran into trouble 
almost immediately.  Grant's 
fair-haired boy, Sherman, found 
himself completely stopped at 
the north end of the ridge by a 
Confederate division under 
Clebume.  The terrain and the 
tenacity of the defenders 
completely stymied the Union 
advance.

Meanwhile, Hooker was more 
successful.  Having won the 
Battle of Lookout Mountain the 
day before, he advanced on the 
town of Rossville at the 
southern end of the Missionary
Ridge.  Unfortunately, due to 
the delay caused by the prior 
day's battle, he was late in 
arriving in position.

Fortunately for Grant neither 
of these delays mattered much.  
Thomas' divisions, whose 
purpose was simply to pin the 
Confederates in position so 
that they could be crushed by 
Hooker and Sherman, actually 
broke through a heavily 
defended and fortified position.
The Confederates, seeing the 
center of their position 
pierced, and with threats to 
the right and left flanks, 
broke and fled.  It became a 
full-fledged rout.

Casualties for the Union were 
750 killed and 4,700 wounded.  
Confederate losses were 350 
killed, 2,100 wounded, and 
4,100 captured.