Orchard Knob & Bragg Reservation

[DugGapRob]

To celebrate my nearing the end of James Lee McDonough's Chattanooga: Death Knell of The Confederacy, I visited Orchard Knob and Bragg Reservation today. As today was foggy, rainy, and Sunday, I had Orchard Knob to myself. The solemnity and sanctity of my visit was enhanced thanks to the scent of Sunday morning incense which I assume was coming from the nearby Greek Orthodox Church.

As most everyone here knows, reading a book is one thing, having access to a plethora of maps to assist in reading is another, but to tread on the same (albeit vastly developed) landscape is another.

 

[RedRover]

Here's a photo from the lost Missionary Ridge cyclorama, showing the federals closing in on Bragg's headquarters...

later there was an observation tower there...

 

[DugGapRob]

Here's a photo from the lost Missionary Ridge cyclorama, showing the federals closing in on Bragg's headquarters...
View attachment 492553

later there was an observation tower there...

View attachment 492552

I had no idea there was a cyclorama of Missionary Ridge, much less a lost one! Please elaborate, if you don't mind.

 

[RedRover]

It went on display in the 1880s. Like most of the type, it was painted in Europe, about 60 feet tall, and over 300 feet long, and was painted in a manner that you in the center were surrounded by the panorama of the battle...

The Confederate Army having been positioned on the ridge for some time, it was practically deforested for firewood, etc. The Confederates' had a large number of troops in a single line of defense at the foot of the ridge, with the balance and their artillery near the summit. The cyclorama depicts the point at which, having overrun the Confederate rifle pits at the foot, the federal army has proceeded uphill, and is overrunning the Confederate main line on the ridge, at several points simultaneously...

Here's some excellent images of the cyclorama building...
Missionary Ridge Cyclorama...

Wisconsin Historical Society has some black and white photos of the cyclorama scenes...

Wisconsin Historical Society: Missionary Ridge Panorama images...

 

[Mild53]

To celebrate my nearing the end of James Lee McDonough's Chattanooga: Death Knell of The Confederacy, I visited Orchard Knob and Bragg Reservation today. As today was foggy, rainy, and Sunday, I had Orchard Knob to myself. The solemnity and sanctity of my visit was enhanced thanks to the scent of Sunday morning incense which I assume was coming from the nearby Greek Orthodox Church.

As most everyone here knows, reading a book is one thing, having access to a plethora of maps to assist in reading is another, but to tread on the same (albeit vastly developed) landscape is another.View attachment 492538View attachment 492539

It looks better in the fog. Perhaps it's easier to ignor modern intrusions. Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful place.

 

[Virginia Dave]

I use to live on Missionary Ridge years ago. There were the remains of an old redoubt behind the house we were renting. My boys use to play there with their toy soldiers.