# 225 - 1893 8c Sherman, lilac
U.S. #225
1890-93 Regular Issue 8¢ Sherman
Issue Date: March 21, 1893
Issue Quantity: 12,087,800
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 12
Color: Lilac
Battle Of Chattanooga
The city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a vital rail hub and a manufacturing center for iron. During the Chickamauga Campaign, which began in August 1863, the Union Army of the Cumberland had forced the Army of Tennessee to leave Chattanooga and move into Georgia.
Union General William Rosecrans led in the pursuit of the Confederates. After a surprising defeat at Chickamauga, the Union Army withdrew to Chattanooga, using the defenses the Confederates had previously constructed for protection.
Southern commander General Braxton Bragg and his troops followed the enemy into Tennessee and established positions on Missionary Ridge to the east of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain to the southwest. The city was under siege and the Union Army was cut off from supply lines. As the weeks progressed, the threat of starvation became real as rations for the men and animals dwindled away.
At 1:30 pm, 14,000 Union soldiers marched toward Orchard Knob, a 100-foot tall knoll to the east of the city. The 600 Confederate defenders were only able to get off one volley before the much larger force overran them. The knob became Grant and Thomas’ headquarters for the rest of the battle.
As morning dawned the following day, Union forces prepared to attack the Southern Army from two directions. Major General Joseph Hooker and 10,000 men were positioned to the west of Lookout Mountain. Grant ordered Hooker to “take the point only if his demonstration should develop its practicability.” The aggressive Hooker, in turn, ordered his men to “assault Lookout Mountain, marching down the valley and sweeping every rebel from it.” The larger Northern force easily swept the base of the mountain and began assaulting the top.
By about 3:00 pm, a thick fog had surrounded the mountain. An observer at Orchard Knob called the engagement the “Battle Above the Clouds.” Within hours, Bragg ordered his troops off the mountain.
Grant’s plan for November 25 was to attack Missionary Ridge from three directions. Hooker and his men set out for Rossville Gap, the southernmost part of the ridge. Sherman was to take Tunnel Hill at first light. Thomas would then lead his troops into the Confederate rifle pits in the center.
Grant ordered the center assault to begin at 3:00 pm. Thomas commanded 24,000 soldiers as they surged to the rifle pits at the base of the mountains. Rather than holding their position, as Grant had planned, the men continued up the mountain and broke through the Army of Tennessee. By 4:30, Bragg’s men fled in panic.
The siege at Chattanooga was broken and the Union gained control of this important city. It opened up the south, becoming a supply base for Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign the next year. Bragg resigned from command of the Army of Tennessee on December 1.
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U.S. #225
1890-93 Regular Issue 8¢ Sherman
Issue Date: March 21, 1893
Issue Quantity: 12,087,800
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 12
Color: Lilac
Battle Of Chattanooga
The city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a vital rail hub and a manufacturing center for iron. During the Chickamauga Campaign, which began in August 1863, the Union Army of the Cumberland had forced the Army of Tennessee to leave Chattanooga and move into Georgia.
Union General William Rosecrans led in the pursuit of the Confederates. After a surprising defeat at Chickamauga, the Union Army withdrew to Chattanooga, using the defenses the Confederates had previously constructed for protection.
Southern commander General Braxton Bragg and his troops followed the enemy into Tennessee and established positions on Missionary Ridge to the east of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain to the southwest. The city was under siege and the Union Army was cut off from supply lines. As the weeks progressed, the threat of starvation became real as rations for the men and animals dwindled away.
At 1:30 pm, 14,000 Union soldiers marched toward Orchard Knob, a 100-foot tall knoll to the east of the city. The 600 Confederate defenders were only able to get off one volley before the much larger force overran them. The knob became Grant and Thomas’ headquarters for the rest of the battle.
As morning dawned the following day, Union forces prepared to attack the Southern Army from two directions. Major General Joseph Hooker and 10,000 men were positioned to the west of Lookout Mountain. Grant ordered Hooker to “take the point only if his demonstration should develop its practicability.” The aggressive Hooker, in turn, ordered his men to “assault Lookout Mountain, marching down the valley and sweeping every rebel from it.” The larger Northern force easily swept the base of the mountain and began assaulting the top.
By about 3:00 pm, a thick fog had surrounded the mountain. An observer at Orchard Knob called the engagement the “Battle Above the Clouds.” Within hours, Bragg ordered his troops off the mountain.
Grant’s plan for November 25 was to attack Missionary Ridge from three directions. Hooker and his men set out for Rossville Gap, the southernmost part of the ridge. Sherman was to take Tunnel Hill at first light. Thomas would then lead his troops into the Confederate rifle pits in the center.
Grant ordered the center assault to begin at 3:00 pm. Thomas commanded 24,000 soldiers as they surged to the rifle pits at the base of the mountains. Rather than holding their position, as Grant had planned, the men continued up the mountain and broke through the Army of Tennessee. By 4:30, Bragg’s men fled in panic.
The siege at Chattanooga was broken and the Union gained control of this important city. It opened up the south, becoming a supply base for Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign the next year. Bragg resigned from command of the Army of Tennessee on December 1.
Click here for more Civil War stamps.