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Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia
A Battle to Make and Break Reputations
Date: September 18-20, 1863
US Commanders: Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans and Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas CS Commanders: Gen. Braxton Bragg and Lt. Gen. James Longstreet
Complete Battle Summary
Order of Battle: US / CS
Forces Engaged: 122,548 total (US 55,000; CS 67,548)
Casualties: 34,624 total (US 16,170; CS 18,454)
Detailed Statistics and Tables
Winner: Confederacy
I begin my novel, "The Boys of Chattanooga," with the retreat of the Army of the Cumberland from Chickamauga. Many students of the war don't realize that Chickamauga was the bloodiest two days of the war. It was a terrible battle with the Confederacy throwing everything it had at Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland. What an awful two days, and the fight might have continued if General Rosecrans hadn't made that ill fated order to General Wood to move his division, which created a hole in the Union line.
Rosecrans always was incensed that Wood didn't question his order, and Rosecrans was a far superior general than history has given him credit for being. He took care of his men, his subordinates respected him, many of his staff thought him the most intelligent man they ever knew. His downfall was that one fatal flaw of becoming rattled when told that there was a hole in his line and he moved to fill it.
What if, he hadn't made that mistake? Then the carnage would have been terrific, even worse than it was, and most likely the Confederates would have retreated because the Army of the Cumberland had the better supply lines. If Bragg had forced Rosecrans to retreat, it would have been orderly, and he would have secured the heights surrounding Chattanooga thus eliminating the siege that followed. Then, he would have eventually forced his way out of Chattanooga and moved on to Atlanta the following spring, possibly that fall and wintered in Northern Georgia.
There are many intangibles to ponder. Without a siege at Chattanooga, would have Lincoln promoted Grant to command the Western Theatre? Without the loss at Chickamauga, Grant would have not been given permission to replace Rosecrans with Thomas; the whole war took an entirely different shape because of Rosecrans's mistake.
It's interesting to not too that Garfield, Rosecrans's chief of staff, told Lincoln and Seward both that he could have prevented the mistake, but that he was in the field and not with Rosecrans when told that there was a hole in is line. Garfield possessed a fine, strong mind, but when ordered by Rosecrans to return to Chattanooga and prepare the army for its defense, he begged off, saying that he didn't think he could do the job. Reluctantly, Rosecrans returned to Chattanooga and Garfield rode to the greater glory of aiding Thomas with his magnificient stand.
There's another great what if. Thomas was already a clearly superior officer. His stand at Murfreesboro was almost as brave as his stand at Chickamauga. Maybe it was even better, but the public rallied around "The Rock," and you wonder what his career would have been without Chickamauga. He was a son of the South. Once before Lincoln had passed him over for promotion, and there were doubters in Congress. No one doubted him after Chickamauga, though Grant was never particularly fond of him.
Chickamauga was carnage at its worse, and it only served as a percursor to the more famous battle for Chattanooga and The Army of the Cumberland's famous charge up Missionary Ridge.
Have any of you ever visited the battlefield? It was the first of the National Battlefield Parks, yep even before G-burg, and every regiment which fought there has a memorial which lists its pre and post battle strength posted along the battle line at the beginning of the second day. There is a good tour road which runs between the battle lines. The visitor's center is well staffed and gives a good overview of the battle. Every State which had troops in the battle provided monuments. It is well worth the trip.
I have been there once. When I was there I didn't know that I had a relative Killed in the battle, Sgt. Warren Hamilton, Co. D 35th Ill. Vol. Inf. and didn't look for the marker. Next time I will.
Every State which had troops in the battle provided monuments. It is well worth the trip.
Unfortunately, there is no Virginia state monument. This has always been a sore spot with me. I visited the park in 1987, not knowing at the time that my gr-gr-grandfather was there with the 54th Virginia, in Trigg's Brigade, which was in the action on Snodgrass Hill.
Regards,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
Ancestors in CSA Cav: 21st VA, 25th VA
Last edited by JohnW in E.TN; 11-18-2006 at 01:04 AM.
Surprisingly Zou, there were actually two Virginia Infantry units permanently assigned to the Army of Tennessee: The 54th Virginia and the 63rd Virginia. Not many people are aware of this fact.
They are both fascinating regiments. The 54th fought in 7 states. The 63rd may have too, but I'm not as up on it as the knowledgeable Larry Cockerham is.
I might have mentioned before, I had an ancestor in "The Bloody Half-Hundred" as well.
Regards,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
John, I have the regimental history of the 50th if you'd like me to do a lookup... that is, if you don't have it yourself!!
When our little reenacting group was still together here in Twin Falls, we portrayed the 50th and each of us chose the persona of one of the original soldiers. I was, of course, my ancestor William Hiram Mink. I don't look a thing like him though!!
OK. Why is there not a Virginia monument? Or is there and you missed it? Is it a case like Ohio at Vicksburg? Some reason requested.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
There is no Virginia monument at Chickamauga. There is a brigade marker, but no state monument. I emailed the park historian a couple of years ago, and he said no one knows why the state of Virginia never allocated money for one. I've tried stirring interest in the SCV, but I'm a member of the TN Division, so there wasn't much interest.
I think it's a shame.
Regards,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
You may wish to try the state historical society. Inform them that every state does have a monument but Virginia and there needs to be one placed. As you may know, at the time that the park was opened or shortly after, there was a major resession and funds may not have been allocated. The wilder tower was funded and started. When it was almost complete, the bank that held the money was closed and the money was lost. Most of the monuments in the park were funded by small groups or individuals. This could be a case of a 100 year oversite on the part of the state.
Best of luck!
__________________ Located near Indianapolis, home of Col. Eli Lilly and the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
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