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1864. Chattanooga, Tennessee. "Boxcars and depot with Federal cavalry guard beyond. From photographs of the War in the West. Battle of Chattanooga, September-November 1863. Photograph probably taken the following year, when Chattanooga was the base for Sherman's Atlanta campaign." Wet plate glass negative, half of stereo pair, photographer unknown. View full size.
Not the luxurious Chattanooga Choo Choo of Glenn Miller big band fame, that's for sure.
During Sept-Nov 1863 the Federal forces were besieged at Chattanooga and no rail traffic entered the city. What supplies did manage to get through came from the north side of the Tennessee River on what is known as the "Cracker Line." Once the rebels were forced from the heights of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and put into full retreat, the city became a depot for Sherman's offense in Georgia. We used to own a house on Missionary Ridge and I have walked all over the battle area. Many Union veterans settled in Chattanooga after the war and Chickamauga battlefield (and parts of Chattanooga) became the first National Military Park. The rail depot was in the part of town where one can today find the Chattanooga ChooChoo, a hotel.
Wonder if it's grain for the cavalry horses...
It's the Chattanooga Choo Choo!
Who knew the Chattanooga Choo Choo was a United States Military Railroad?
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