The Battle of Lookout Mountain 163rd Anniversary

Join local historian Jim Ogden for a guided hike that will commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the famous "Battle Above the Clouds".

“What! Does the General expect us to fly?”

That was the response of some Union soldiers when told early on November 24, 1863, that they would be attacking the Confederates on Lookout Mountain that day. The mountain’s seemingly indomitable height made the idea of such an attack to be almost as impossible as that of human flight. But their commander, Major General Joseph Hooker had taken the measure of his enemy in gray and devised a plan by which to wrest control of the mountain from the Confederates. Reflection Riding today protects ground where key parts of Hooker’s plan unfolded.

Join Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Historian Jim Ogden for a guided 2 ½ mile, 2 ½ hour 163rd anniversary hike across the Riding to learn about those key parts of the “Battle Above the Clouds" in 1863, a time when the peace and solitude of Reflection Riding was disturbed by fighting that was a part of one of the most important campaigns of the Civil War.

This program is offered in partnership with Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and is part of the National Military Park’s series of programs commemorating the 160th anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga.

Comfortable, supportive, footwear, clothing appropriate for the weather, and water are recommended for this program. The hiking pace between historical points will be approximately 2 ½ to 3 miles per hour. "

Please read and sign the general liability waiver before attending. Each adult attendee must sign this waiver to participate. Parents/legal guardians must sign a waiver for each child participating.

As an outdoor facility, our programs and events are almost always dependent on the weather. In the event of severe weather, programs may be postponed or cancelled.