lelliott19
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The NPS provided a number of events this past weekend to commemorate the 158th Anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga. I've been to the battlefield several times but it's expansive and, like Gettysburg, the battle occurred over a 3-day period. So it's complex and there's a lot to learn. I am only familiar with a few certain parts, so I was really excited for an opportunity to learn more.
As I arrived Saturday morning, I was unsure exactly where the morning tour was to meet. Driving past the visitor center, I turned on a road that I thought led to the general vicinity. There in the road, setting up a sign, was Jim Ogden, the Historian of Chickamauga NMP. I was in the right spot! He directed me down the road to a gravel pull off. I was early so only a few other cars were there. As I parked, I realized I had brought only two very small waters and no bug repellent. If you've ever been in the woods at Chickamauga, you know you must have bug repellent!
So, first things first. I immediately went on a quest to borrow some DEET. Parked just two cars away, I ran into @uaskme What a surprise! We've toured together before, but I made plans late and didn't think to ask if he was attending. He had water he was willing to share, but no bug repellent. A couple more cars away and there was @Gettmore and his wife Donna. Another surprise! I knew they were attending some of the events, but wasnt sure when I might see them. @Gettmore had DEET of the highest calibre and was willing to share. So it was an unexpected mini-muster at Chickamauga as CWT members ran into each other in the parking lot.
The first tour of the day was a 3 mile hike entitled "Occupied after a Brief Skirmish: Buckner Seizes Thedford's and Dalton's Fords" led by Jim Ogden described as follows:
Braxton Bragg's designated crossing of the steep-banked Chickamauga on September 18, 1863, included Thedford's and Dalton's Fords. Alexander Stewart's and William Preston's divisions of Buckner's Confederate Corps were to cross there. National Military Park Historian Jim Ogden will lead this 2 1/2 hour, three mile hike to the creek and back and will examine the action at these two key but often overlooked crossings on the "River of Death."
Here I learned that the Eufaula Light Artillery Battery (of Eufaula, Alabama) was armed with 3-inch ordnance rifles manufactured at the Noble Brothers foundry in Rome, Georgia. These artillerists heartily claimed to have fired the first cannon shot from the Confederate side of the battle of Chickamauga --- and also the last. Jim Ogden didnt comment on whether that was actually true, but he didn't say it wasn't either. So who knows?
Mr. Ogden kindly provided some wonderful maps. I'd post photos of them, but it rained. A LOT. And my maps got wet, folded into my rain jacket, and haven't dried yet. Perhaps I'll get industrious and iron them? Or maybe @uaskme or @Gettmore will post a picture of theirs?
Did I mention that it was raining? A LOT? It was still so much fun! And these Boy Scouts from Madison, AL were along with our group.
Here we are again @uaskme me @Gettmore and Donna. I needed longer arms. Some of us attended all three of Jim Ogden's programs on Saturday; @Diane123 and her daughter attended some programs on Sunday; and I attended one today --- so there's lots more to come. TO BE CONTINUED