Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a living history weekend at Point Park on historic Lookout Mountain on Saturday, Aug. 18, and Sunday, Aug. 19.
Throughout the weekend, living history volunteers representing Western Federal Infantry will conduct Infantry demonstrations and present talks about the life of the soldier throughout the weekend on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They will conduct rifle firing demonstrations at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. on Saturday, and at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the camp throughout the weekend to learn what life was like on a day to day basis for the Civil War soldier.
On Nov. 24, 1863, Union infantry forces advanced up the western side of Lookout Mountain and swept around the point. Known as the “Battle Above the Clouds,” the Battle of Lookout Mountain forced outnumbered Confederates defending the mountain to withdraw to Missionary Ridge late that afternoon and evening. On the morning of November 25, 1863, members of the 8th Kentucky Union regiment climbed to the mountain’s summit and planted their flag on the point, giving hope to Federal troops in Chattanooga that the siege was being lifted.
For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706.866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 821-7786, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov.chch.