Engagement at Wauhatchie, Tenn. (10/29/1863)

The Battle of Wauhatchie was a night battle beginning around midnight, October, 28, 1863.  The purpose of this battle from the Union standpoint was to clear a path through the Confederate forces in order to establish a supply line (later the "Cracker Line") for General Grant's army in Chattanooga, Tenn.  Col. Bratton of the Rebel forces  atacked General Geary's Union forces at Wauhatchie Station, a small stop on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.  Geary's forces were isolated, and although they held fast to their ground throughout the night hours, they were running low on ammunition.  Just as Col. Bratton was sensing a possible victory, he received orders to withdraw to avoid a second Union force coming up behind him.   Bratton withdrew to Lookout Mountain.  His losses were 356 men, and Gen. Geary's losses were 216.  This skirmish opened the path for food and ammunition relief to the Union Army. -- Reference, Cozzen's , pp 78-85.