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Ross's Landing
Union Capture of Chattanooga
The Union army's efforts to capture the strategic rail center of Chattanooga met with success here at Ross's Landing. Following a series of dramatic marches and feints, elements of Gen. William S. Rosecrans's army appeared on Stringer's Ridge across the river to your left front on August 23, 1863. Union shells whizzed into the city and the Confederate fortifications on the high ground to your left rear and on the bluffs to your right. The shelling, coordinated with shows of force in Hamilton Valley, was intended to convince Confederate commanders that the Federals intended to cross the Tennessee River north of Chattanooga. In fact, however, they intended to cross the Tennessee River south of Chattanooga and then approach from Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain well behind the Confederates. By September 7, the Confederates had deciphered the plan and evacuated the city. A Southern newspaper asked, "The enemy attacked with his Knight both our Queen, Atlanta, and our Castle, Chattanooga. Did it require a moment to decide what should be the move?"
On September 9, three Union soldiers rowed across the river at Ross's Landing and seized the ferry. According to a soldier in the 57th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, "A horse ferry-boat, left by the enemy, was used in crossing the river, and before night the colors of the 97th Ohio were planted on a fort near Cameron Hill. The other regiments soon followed and at night our command bivouacked on the green close to the river...which gave us possession of the long-wished-for stronghold, Chattanooga."
Steamboats tied up at Ross's Landing with Cameron Hill looming in the background.
Union artillerist Henry Campbell drew this map showing his battery position, downtown Chattanooga, and Confederate fortifications. |