Immigrants and the Cracker Line

Pat what an excellent article. I spent 2 years attending the University of Chattanooga and often wandered over the whole area of the city and countryside. The Cracker Line was not clearly marked then but many local history buffs knew it and shared with us amatuers.
Good to hear from you again!
Regards
David
How bout that? My daughter and her husband are UTC grads and their 2 oldest kids are there now.

I've wandered around town myself. Love the views from Missionary Ridge.
 
After a diligent search of the official records the board fails to find any evidence that Gen. W. F. Smith was the originator of the plan for the relief of Chattanooga, Tenn., by military operations to be conducted in Lookout Valley, October, 1863. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence in the official records to show that the plan, which contemplated crossings of the Tennessee River at Bridgeport and at the northern end of Lookout Valley, and which was successfully executed by General Thomas October 26 to 28, 1863, was devised and prepared for by General Rosecrans before relinquishing command, and that its execution was begun, under orders issued by General Thomas the very night (October 19) that General Rosecrans was relieved from command of the Department of the Cumberland and without consultation with Oeneral Smith.
There is no evidence to show that General Smith took any part, whether by counsel or by action, in the operations conducted by General Hooker through Lookout Valley from the direction of Bridgeport. Pages 20-21 from
 
After a diligent search of the official records the board fails to find any evidence that Gen. W. F. Smith was the originator of the plan for the relief of Chattanooga, Tenn., by military operations to be conducted in Lookout Valley, October, 1863. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence in the official records to show that the plan, which contemplated crossings of the Tennessee River at Bridgeport and at the northern end of Lookout Valley, and which was successfully executed by General Thomas October 26 to 28, 1863, was devised and prepared for by General Rosecrans before relinquishing command, and that its execution was begun, under orders issued by General Thomas the very night (October 19) that General Rosecrans was relieved from command of the Department of the Cumberland and without consultation with Oeneral Smith.
There is no evidence to show that General Smith took any part, whether by counsel or by action, in the operations conducted by General Hooker through Lookout Valley from the direction of Bridgeport. Pages 20-21 from

Political Statement. This Board was controlled by the Radical Republicans. They hated McClellan and anyone who was attached to him. Thought the whole Army of the Potomac was Pro Slavery. Rosecrans was an Abolitionist. They championed Rosecrans, one reason he was a Political Threat to Grant.

In his Personal Memoirs, Grant noted that Rosecran’s chief engineers (General William F “Baldy” Smith) had put a sawmill into operation, had one bridge completed, was well on his way to constructing another, was assembling materials for third, and had an ingenious improved steamer in operation on the River—but he stated it in such a way as to make it appear that the officer had done it entirely on his own. There is no hint of credit attributed to Rosecrans for these.accomplishments even though they had, of course, been achieved while he commanded the army. Rosecrans, not Smith, ordered their completion. Pp140 Battle Above the Clouds by David Powell

This is one explanation of truth that it was Smith’s plan which was executed by Rosecrans. Grant even gives Smith Credit, even though, no surprise, Grant gave Rosecrans, NONE. It is also written in the ORs and Powell denotes other evidence. Planning and work began 3 weeks before Grant got there. Thomas, SLO Trott, explained the plan to Grant, Grant approved it, and it moved forward. The Pontoon boats were built in Chattanooga. The bridges discussed above.
 
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In order for Rosecrans' plan to work, Hooker's divisions had to move into Lookout Valley promptly. In order to insure that happened Hooker had to be made aware that his continued command was at risk. Howard's divisions were attached from Hooker, and Grant had a Major General rank in the regular army. Grant's presence insured the pace of operations was accelerated and that Hooker did not find military excuses not to co-operate.
The US administration had made control of all of Tennessee a very high priority. Resources were pouring into Louisville, Nashville and Bridgeport. Grant was sent there to win what was very likely a campaign of overwhelming force, and do it quickly. No more delays.
 
The Turchins make a interesting couple and Nadine's romantic phrases seem to be right out of War and Peace. But Osterhaus was there also, despite his wife having recently passed away. There is a lot of evidence that there was a different attitude towards death in that era. Lingering illness was expected to take the sufferer. Sherman too, was in Chattanooga despite the recent tragic death of his son.
 
Political Statement. This Board was controlled by the Radical Republicans. They hated McClellan and anyone who was attached to him. Thought the whole Army of the Potomac was Pro Slavery. Rosecrans was an Abolitionist. They championed Rosecrans, one reason he was a Political Threat to Grant.

In his Personal Memoirs, Grant noted that Rosecran’s chief engineers (General William F “Baldy” Smith) had put a sawmill into operation, had one bridge completed, was well on his way to constructing another, was assembling materials for third, and had an ingenious improved steamer in operation on the River—but he stated it in such a way as to make it appear that the officer had done it entirely on his own. There is no hint of credit attributed to Rosecrans for these.accomplishments even though they had, of course, been achieved while he commanded the army. Rosecrans, not Smith, ordered their completion. Pp140 Battle Above the Clouds by David Powell

This is one explanation of truth that it was Smith’s plan which was executed by Rosecrans. Grant even gives Smith Credit, even though, no surprise, Grant gave Rosecrans, NONE. It is also written in the ORs and Powell denotes other evidence. Planning and work began 3 weeks before Grant got there. Thomas, SLO Trott, explained the plan to Grant, Grant approved it, and it moved forward. The Pontoon boats were built in Chattanooga. The bridges discussed above.
The Board published its findings in 1901. It was created at the request of Gen Smith. Rosecrans had died in 1898.
 
Gen Smith wanted to claim the plan as his own.
The Board was headed by Secy of War Elihu Root who was greatly esteemed. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912 and lived until
1937. The report has all sorts of documentation and evidence to support its conclusion.
Speaking of immigrants in the Army of the Cumberland one of the most famous was Norwegian Hans Heg who was killed at Chickamauga. His statue in Madison WI was toppled and destroyed by a mob earlier this year.
Probably no one involved had any idea who he was except an old looking guy in a military uniform.
 
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Gen Smith wanted to claim the plan as his own.
The Board was headed by Secy of War Elihu Root who was greatly esteemed. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912 and lived until
1937. The report has all sorts of documentation and evidence to support its conclusion.
Speaking of immigrants in the Army of the Cumberland one of the most famous was Norwegian Hans Heg who was killed at Chickamauga. His statue in Madison WI was toppled and destroyed by a mob earlier this year.
Probably no one involved had any idea who he was except an old looking guy in a military uniform.
More on Hans Heg:
 
More on the Madison statue. At least now more people know about him. Poor Rosecrans only has the statue in his hometown of Sunbury Ohio. A number of reasons for that but one is he lived too long. Had he died in 1870 Thomas Circle in DC might be Rosecrans Circle

 
More on the Madison statue. At least now more people know about him. Poor Rosecrans only has the statue in his hometown of Sunbury Ohio. A number of reasons for that but one is he lived too long. Had he died in 1870 Thomas Circle in DC might be Rosecrans Circle

I wrote two articles on Heg. The say his statue went down I saw the number of hits on those articles skyrocket. Too bad.
 
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