Catlett’s Gap was one of a series of natural gaps through Pigeon Mountain and Lookout Mountain in Walker County, where wagon roads crossed east to west through the mountains and where Catlett’s Gap connected Cooper’s Gap off of Lookout Mountain on the west to the Catlett community in the Chestnut Flats area on the western side of the county. During the Confederate withdrawal from Chattanooga, Pigeon Mountain was recognized as a strategic second barrier against Federal forces coming over Lookout Mountain, and the gaps were prepared for defense. Catlett’s Gap was heavily used in troop movements in the events leading up to the Battle of Chickamauga. On September 8, 1863, Confederate cavalry from General William T. Martin’s command began blocking the gaps with large rocks and felled trees, and on the following day General Patrick Cleburne’s infantry from General Daniel H. Hill’s Corps strengthened the position with rifle pits and breastworks. The infantry remained there until September 17, when cavalry from Joseph Wheeler’s command relieved them. The defenses were so strong that Federal forces never breached the gaps during the campaign. At 4:30 a.m. on September 10, General Daniel H. Hill received orders from General Braxton Bragg for a joint movement with General Thomas Hindman against Federal forces at Davis Crossroads, but Hill replied that the plan was impractical because Cleburne had overexerted himself and was sick in bed, his command was widely scattered, one brigade under General S.A.M. Wood was picketing Catlett’s, Dug, and Blue Bird Gaps, and obstructions in Dug Gap would take hours to clear. Bragg accepted these reasons, altered the plan by ordering General Simon Buckner to defend Hindman, and the attack at Davis Crossroads came to nothing. Catlett’s Gap was then occupied by Confederate division Major-General John C. Breckinridge, whose command moved from Catlett’s Gap and nearby positions in Pigeon Mountain at daylight on September 18 and took position that afternoon on the east bank of the Chickamauga near Glass’s Mill as the army’s extreme left infantry, ending the campaign activities there.

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Tibbs