Mango Hill
Corporal
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2020
A brief summary the Army of the Cumberland faced at Chattanooga after the retreat from Chickamauga. AOT commanding General Bragg placed his army just across the Tennessee River on Lookout Mt overlooking the city of Chattanooga on ideal high ground, while Longstreet placed troops on Racoon Mt effectively closing the RR, Tennessee River and roads connecting Bridgeport and Chattanooga. There was one road open that was used to supply Chattanooga immune to direct fire from Bragg's army and Longstreet's Corp and it ran from Jasper, around and north of Chattanooga over rough terrain. The trek over this mountainous road was long and deadly to the pack animals that had to haul the supply wagons. By late September, 1863 the AoC had begun to survive on reduced rations. As October passed continuous rain and repeated use of the road forced teamsters to reduce the amount of fodder carried. The effect on the pack animals was becoming catastrophic. It is estimated that 10,000 animals died on this road. "Unless a better route could be opened soon the army was going to die". On the morning of the 24th of October Grant went to see Generals George Thomas and "Baldy" Smith to get a look see about the topography of the area and enemy troop dispositions. A plan to open a safe route had discussed between General Rosecrans and Grant days prior to the latter's arrival at Chattanooga. Baldy Smith had also proposed a similar plan to Grant upon his arrival at there. Thomas had approved the plan before Grant's arrival. Hooker's Corp had been tasked with guarding the RR leading to Bridgeport upon his arrival and now became part of the solution to open the Cracker Line by taking his Corp from Bridgeport to Wauhatchie to guard against an attack from Longstreet. By October 30th a small steamboat built from scratch at Bridgeport unloaded 40,000 rations and 39,000 lbs of forage had been landed at Kelly's Ferry. See Catton Grant Takes Command and B & L Vol. III The Little Steamboat That Opened The Cracker Line
There are several men who can be credited with opening the Cracker Line:
General Rosecrans
General Baldy Smith
General Thomas
General Grant
General Hooker
General Bragg
General Longstreet
or The little steamboat
There are several men who can be credited with opening the Cracker Line:
General Rosecrans
General Baldy Smith
General Thomas
General Grant
General Hooker
General Bragg
General Longstreet
or The little steamboat