The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-08-08
MISSION RIDGE IN
WAR AND PEACE
REUNION ON ITS CREST OF SUR
VIVORS DURING THE G. A. r.
ENCAMPMENT WEEK AT
CHATTANOOGA.
The Battle of Missionary Ridge That
Decided the Fate of the Army of the
Tennessee and Opened a Road to
Atlanta.

Chattanooga. Tenn.-During the
week of the national encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and
Its allied organizations, to be held in
Chattanooga, September 1920, a re-
union will be held by the survivors of
Missionary Ridge. at some point on
that historic eminence which will be
OF easy access by trolley cars. The
purpose of the reunion is to ge as
many Of the survivors of this great
battle as possible together on the
ground and enjoy speeches by men
who know something of the engage
ment from actual participation.
The battle OF Missionary Ridge was
fought November 25, 1863, and was a
signal victory for Union arms. After
the battle Of Chickamauga, Gen.
Bragg's army threw line of entrench.
ments around Chattanooga from the
point of Lookout Mountain, on the
west, to the mouth of Chickamauga
creek, on the east, the purpose being
to starVe the Union troops into sur
render. When, on November 20, Gen.
Grant, who had taken charge of the
fortunes of the Army of the Cumber.
land, began active efforts to relieve his
army, Gen. Bragg assembled his forces
on Missionary Ridge, thus inviting
general engagement.
Gen. Grant decided to storm tho
ridge and drive Gen. Bragg into
Georgia. With that purpose in view
he moved his army out of Chattanooga
and confronted Bragg along the entire
length Of the ridge, his lines being an
average Of one mile west of the base
of the ridge. Gen. Grant directed the
movement Of his troops in person from
his headquarters at Orchard Knob, and
on the evening Of November Is order
ed an advance on the enemys rifle
pits at the foot of the ridge. 1t was
necessary for the Union troops to
march across comparatively open
and level plain for distance of mile
in the face CT a deadly fire from the
enemys guns. Without break or fall
ter, the entire force, as if on parade,
advanced at the given signal to the at
tack. In one hour after orders to ad.
forces had charged over the rife pits
and swept to the top of the ridge in
advance Of orders.
Much desperate fighting was done
in this charge. From Sherman Heights,
On the north, to Rossville, Ga, on the
south, death flashed from cannon ana
musi1etry fire was constant and deadly.
But the battle decided the issue in the
Chattanooga territory. The COnfed-
crates, recognizing that they were
beaten, retreated in fairly good order
to RinggOld, Ga, leaving Chattanooga
In undisputed possession of the Union
army.
AIter reOrganiZing their forces, the
Union commanders began the now his
torc pursuit Of the enemy. Gen. 10,
seph E. Johnston was placed in com.
mand Of the Confederate army, and his
retreat to Atlanta is a part of the wal
history Of the republic. Friend and
foe pronounce it masterful, but the
battle Of Missionary Ridge had de-
clded the fate Of the Army Of the
Tennessee, If not CT the Confederacy
A number Of sharp skirmishes were
fought between Chattanooga and At
lanta, some Of them developing into
pitched battles, as in the case Of Ken
nesaW Mountain, but the Confederates
were steadily driven south, and finally
Atlanta fell into the hands of the
Union army.
A reunion on this historic field will
be an event Of pleasure to those men
who passed through it's carnage fifty
years ago and saw war in it's bloodiest
aspect. Missionary Ridge to-day is a
fashionable suburb of Chattanooga,
where the more wealthy citizens have