Monday, September 17, 2012

The Steamer Chattanooga.

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The steam boat Chattanooga was built by the soldiers at the time of the siege of Chattanooga.  She was a cargo ship and carried supplys up and down the river.  Here are a few reports to give you some idea on what she was doing.
 
CHATTANOOGA, October 29, 1863-9.30 p.m.
Enemy have continued firing all day from four guns which they have placed on top of Lookout Mountain. The only effect of their shells has been the wounding of 3 men. They have also thrown up works at the west base of the mountain. We have also thrown up rifle-pits and epaulements in Lookout Valley. Precise number of casualties in last night's battle not yet reported, but as nearly as I can ascertain the killed are about 70; the wounded, 200. The new steam-boat Chattanooga, just finished at Bridgeport, landed her first cargo to-day at Rankin's Ferry, and will land another at Kelley's Ferry to-morrow. The distance from the last-named place to Chattanooga is 10 miles; road excellent. As soon as her powers are well ascertained she will try to come up through the Suck and other dangers of the river to Brown's Ferry, at the mouth of Lookout Valley.
[C. A. DANA.]Honorable E. M. STANTON,Secretary of War.

CHATTANOOGA, October 31, 1863-9 p.m.
Enemy has continued his useless shelling from Lookout Mountain to-day. No other demonstrations. Steam-boat Chattanooga has landed two cargoes from Bridgeport at Kelley's Ferry to-day. The Paint Rock has been repaired, and leaves Bridgeport to-night at 12 o'clock. Everything here prosperous. We have buried 130 rebels, killed in the night battle of the 28th. Weather fine.[C. A. DANA.]

CHATTANOOGA, November 25, 1863.
Major General WILLIAM T. SHERMAN,Near Chattanooga.No doubt you witnessed the handsome manner in which Thomas' troops carried Missionary Ridge this afternoon, and can feel a just pride, too, in the part taken by the forces under your command in taking, first, so much of the same range of hills, and then in attracting the attention of so many of the enemy as to make Thomas' part certain of success. The next thing now will be to relieve Burnside. I have heard from his to the evening of the 23d. At that time he had from ten to twelve days' supplies, and spoke hopefully of being able to hold out that length of time. My plan is to move your forces out gradually, until they reach the railroad between Cleveland and Dalton. Granger will move up the south side of the Tennessee with a column of 20,000 men, taking no wagons, or but few, with him. His men will carry four days' rations with them, and the  steamer Chattanooga, loaded with rations, will accompany the expedition. I take it for granted that Bragg's entire force has left. If not, of course the first, thing is to dispose of him. If he has gone, the only thing necessary to do to-morrow will be to send out a reconnaissance to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy.U. S. GRANT,

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. AND ARMY OF THE Tennessee,
Numbers 17 Philadelphia, Tennessee, December 3, 1863.
The senior commanding officer at Kingston will, after leaving a small force to garrison the place, collect all the troops, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and push around to Knoxville, with the right flank resting on the Holston, feeling their way cautiously, and covering the steam-boat Chattanooga.By order of Major General W. T. Sherman.


HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 18, 1863.
Major General G. H. THOMAS,Commanding Department of the Cumberland:GENERAL: General Grant directs that the steamer Chattanooga be immediately loaded with assorted ammunition, hospital stores, sugar, and coffee, and sent back to Loudon. Also as soon as she has discharged her cargo that she be instructed to move all the stores previously sent from here and left at Kingston and below to the same point, for the use of General Foster's command. After having done this work to return here without delay.Very respectfully, your obedient servant,J. H. WILSON,

FEBRUARY 18, [1864.]
Major-General GRANGER:Longstreet's movements, I think, clearly indicate some aggressive design. It does not appear to be an attack upon this place. He may intend an attack upon Loudon for the purpose of obtaining supplies to be made by a portion of his force while he makes a demonstration upon this place. I think for the present soters should not be permitted to accumulate at Loudon. Push them across the river as rapidly as possible. I will send down the steamer Chattanooga to-morrow. Can you ferry stores across as fast as they are now arriving from Chattanooga?J. M. S[CHOFIELD].

KNOXVILLE, February 20, February 20, 1864.
General GRANGER:Longstreet's movements I think clearly indicate some aggressive design. It does not appear to be an attack upon this place. He may intend an attack upon Loudon for the purpose of getting supplies, to be made by a portion of his force while he makes a demonstration upon this place. I think for the present stores should not be permitted to accumulate at Loudon. Push them across the river as rapidly as possible. I will send down the steamer Chattanooga to-morrow. Can you ferry stores across as fast as they are now arriving from Chattanooga?

CHATTANOOGA, November 29, 1864.General WHIPPLE,Assistant Adjutant-General:

Steamer Chattanooga arrived to-day from Decatur, loaded with stores. She has artillery on board, and Captain Naylor says he understands that it should have been left at Caperton's Ferry, below Bridgeport. I have no orders. Sent General Stoneman rations to-day; will send him forage and quartermaster's stores to-morrow.A. J. MACKAY,

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