Bragg Reservation - Battle of Missionary Ridge

Welcome to Bragg Reservation - Battle of Missionary Ridge

Nestled along the historic South Crest Place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Bragg Reservation is a significant site that commemorates one of the most pivotal battles in American history—the Battle of Missionary Ridge. On November 25, 1863, over 50,000 Union soldiers launched a massive assault on the Confederate defenses along this ridge, stretching from Rossville Gap at the Georgia border to Tunnel Hill. This decisive battle marked a turning point in the Civil War, with the Confederate Army of Tennessee retreating towards Dalton, Georgia, and Chattanooga coming under Union control. A Confederate officer poignantly described it as "The death knell of the Confederacy."

The Bragg Reservation is part of a series of eight reservations and monuments that preserve and narrate the story of this crucial battle. Situated along a narrow road atop Missionary Ridge, these historical sites are located within residential neighborhoods. Visitors are reminded to respect the privacy of residents, avoid blocking driveways, and refrain from entering private property without permission. The park areas along Missionary Ridge are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Iowa Monument, located at the intersection of Highway 27 and West Crest Road in Rossville, Georgia, marks the southernmost reservation of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park on Missionary Ridge. Here, Union troops from General Joseph Hooker's command attacked the Confederate positions' southern flank. Although they did not fight in the gap during the battle, the Iowans later celebrated their victory with a grand review through Rossville Gap, inspiring the placement of a large monument at the site.

Further along South Crest Road, the Bragg Reservation marks the headquarters of Confederate General Braxton Bragg during the battle. It was here that General George Thomas's Army of the Cumberland broke through the Confederate line. The reservation features several cannon and tablets, with the Illinois Monument as its largest feature.

Just north of the Bragg Reservation is the Ohio Reservation, where Union soldiers of Thomas Wood's Division attacked Missionary Ridge. The site honors the Ohioans who fought here, with a monument restored in 2014 through the efforts of middle schoolers from Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Please park only in designated areas and respect private property.

The Turchin Reservation, named after Russian-born General John Turchin, features a tablet and two cannon, although public parking is not available here. Visitors can park at DeLong Reservation and walk back to this site. The DeLong Reservation honors the 2nd Minnesota Infantry and includes several tablets and cannon.

The 73rd Pennsylvania Monument, located at the intersection of Glass Street and Campbell Street, commemorates the regiment's bravery despite suffering heavy casualties. Visitors can park in the commercial area of Glass Street or at the Sherman Reservation and take a short trail to reach this site.

The Sherman Reservation, at the northern end of North Crest Road, is the largest of the reservations on Missionary Ridge, preserving the area where General William T. Sherman's troops assaulted the Confederate defenses on Tunnel Hill. It features several monuments, tablets, and cannon, with a trail connecting it to the 73rd Pennsylvania Reservation.

Additionally, a monument dedicated to New York soldiers stands twenty miles east of Chickamauga Battlefield, near the Ringgold Wastewater Treatment Plant. It marks the site of a Confederate stand at Ringgold Gap on November 27, 1863, where General Patrick Cleburne's forces inflicted significant casualties on pursuing Union troops.

If you're interested in volunteering, opportunities will soon be available on the NPS Event Calendar. In the meantime, visit Volunteer.gov for more ways to get involved. Download the NPS app for easy navigation of the parks.

Visit Bragg Reservation to explore and honor the history of the Battle of Missionary Ridge, a defining moment in the Civil War.