On November 24, 1863, the Battle Above the Clouds, was initiated by U.S. Gen. “Fighting” Joseph Hooker ordering his men to attack the Confederates positioned on the steep, craggy slopes of Lookout Mountain overlooking Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Federal batteries on the nearby hills, eager to join the fight, were watching the battle through the drifting clouds. The Federals’ 12-pdr. Guns, 20-pdr. Parrott rifles, howitzer and field guns found their range, raining shells on Lookout.

The clouds lifted. Chaos erupted. Shelling came from everywhere. The Confederates’ broken ranks ran. The Federals dashed after them. Suddenly they found themselves between their own fire and the Rebels’.

U.S. Sgt. John Kiggins, 149th N.Y. Vol. Infantry, flag bearer, “jumped on a stump and waved the flag to attract the attention of the batterymen, but at the same time attracted the attention of the enemy, who riddled his clothes and hat with rifle-balls. One or more grazed his skin, and one plowed a furrow through his hair and scalp, but otherwise he was unharmed.”
Kiggins earned the Medal of Honor for his actions.