Battle of Missionary Ridge The Battle of Missionary Ridge was
fought November 25, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of
the American Civil War. Following the Union victory in the
Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under
Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and
defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen.
Braxton Bragg. In the morning, elements of the Army of the
Tennessee commanded by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman attempted to
capture the northern end of Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, but
were stopped by fierce resistance from the Confederate divisions
of Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, William H.T. Walker, and
Carter L. Stevenson. In the afternoon, Grant was concerned that
Bragg was reinforcing his right flank at Sherman's expense. He
ordered the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Maj. Gen.
George H. Thomas, to move forward and seize the Confederate line
of rifle pits on the valley floor, and stop there to await
further orders. The Union soldiers