Chickamauga Trying to understand Chickamauga...

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I'm a little far inland here and literally out of my depth... no gunboats in sight.

I'm a bit confused by the CWPT maps of Chickamauga, particularly about Brannan's (3rd) Division of Thomas's XIV Corps. On the map of the 19th, it looks like they're moving alongside Baird's Division, but on the 20th, they're suddenly halfway across the battlefield, with Crittenden's Corps.

The reason I'm trying to figure this out is because my great-great-grandpa, Private Benjamin F. Waggoner, was in Company "I", 14th Ohio (Kingsbury), which to my understanding was in the 2nd Brigade (Croxton/Hays), 3rd Division (Brannan).

There also seems to have been a bit of reorganization prior to Chattanooga, as the brigade now seems to be the 3rd, although still under Hays (or Phelps?), and the 3rd Division seems to be Baird's now. (?)

Any kind Chicka/Chatt gurus out there that can help me understand this better?

 

[CheathamHill]

The Maps of Chickamauga Book REALLY opened up my eyes on what was previously a jumbled fustercluck to me. I would look into that one. It spells out, in full color, the movements of the troops, often to a regimental level
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932714723/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[Chattahooch33]

Chickamauga in my opinion is by far the most confusing battle of the war. Anything above brigade command was next to impossible due to the foliage, much like The Wilderness. Division commanders and even some brigade commanders could only order, "Go that way and seek out the enemy" which was ordered by several generals, especially on the federal side. Rosecrans had no idea what was going on and often Thomas didn't either. I would reccomend the book CheathamHill mentioned, it help me as well.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Also looks like I need to look into Peter Cozzens' books...

 

[James N.]

For a good recent explaination, the series of issues Blue & Gray magazine devoted to the campaign are excellent. An entire issue is devoted to each of the days of battle as well as another 3 issues describing phases of the campaign. I took them with me this year when I visited there and also saw them for sale at the park store in the visitor center.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

For a good recent explaination, the series of issues Blue & Gray magazine devoted to the campaign are excellent. An entire issue is devoted to each of the days of battle as well as another 3 issues describing phases of the campaign. I took them with me this year when I visited there and also saw them for sale at the park store in the visitor center.

I agree. The Shiloh edition is also helpful with that battle.

 

[TerryB]

I actually think the official film, posted on youtube, is also pretty helpful.

 

[CheathamHill]

Lee White has recently released his book on the subject at hand titled, "Bushwhacking on a Grand Scale." It is similarly superb as would be expected from someone with as much expertise and time on the actual grounds as Mr. White has.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1611211581/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[diane]

Also looks like I need to look into Peter Cozzens' books...

I liked Cozzens' book but it was more confusing than the battle! I was two-thirds through it before it finally clicked how he had it laid out. Something along each section of time what each section of each army was doing...

 

[phil1861]

Cozzens likes to lay out his narratives like a story and on a battle on the scale of Chickamauga, from a participants POV he chooses to lay things out in a chronology that allows you to "witness" the fighting, so I can see how it could have been a little dizzying to follow. I like his style, however.

 

[TexasRick]

"The Maps of Chickamauga" is excellent. I agree Cozzen's book is good but very confusing. While I haven't read the new book at only 192 pages I can't imagine that it can provide the detail needed. The bottom line is there needs to be a new book on the subject but to my knowledge there is not anyone out there currently working on such an endeavor. I know that I mentioned this o Russell Bonds a few years ago and he gave me the "you're crazy" look. I was also hoping that Albert Castel would take on the project. I thoroughly enjoyed his book on the Atlanta Campaign.

Maybe Timothy Smith will make this his next endeavor....

 

[lwhite64]

Dave Powell is set to release a three vol history of the battle through Savas Beatie next year. It will be the definative history. In regards to my book, it is designed to be an introduction to the battle, that cuts through the myths, etc. So even someone who has read Cozzens will have some new perspectives coming from mine. I am proud to say that from the reviews I have seen my narrative makes the battle understandable.

 

[lwhite64]

And back to the original post, Brannan was moved to a position in reserve at the end of the fighting on September 19th, the next day as Rosecrans moved units to support Thomas, he pulled Brannan into line in the center, without notifying Thomas of having done so. This later leads to the events that cause the gap and the right wing to be caught moving when Longstreet's wing goes forward.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

And back to the original post, Brannan was moved to a position in reserve at the end of the fighting on September 19th, the next day as Rosecrans moved units to support Thomas, he pulled Brannan into line in the center, without notifying Thomas of having done so. This later leads to the events that cause the gap and the right wing to be caught moving when Longstreet's wing goes forward.

Aha! So that's why it didn't make sense to me either!

 

[CheathamHill]

For the record I recommended Lee's book before he did...

 

[AUG]

I've never read a great book on Chickamauga, but I've always heard great and bad things about Cozzen. I've also heard of Maps of Chickamauga and Bushwhacking on a Grand Scale, both sound like great choices that would go hand in hand. I am thinking the best choice, based on the reviews, would be Bushwhacking, especially for someone who's trying to get an idea of the overall flow of the battle and at the same time still get into details, but not too many. That, maybe combined with the Maps. I've had both on my wish list for a while, maybe they will be my next read.

 

[rhp6033]

For my two-cent's worth, Cozzens is a great story-teller, but Powell is a historian.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Well, and doggone it, I'll just have to read them all, then!

 

[rickvox79]

Dave Powell is set to release a three vol history of the battle through Savas Beatie next year. It will be the definative history. In regards to my book, it is designed to be an introduction to the battle, that cuts through the myths, etc. So even someone who has read Cozzens will have some new perspectives coming from mine. I am proud to say that from the reviews I have seen my narrative makes the battle understandable.

Ahhh Lee didn't realize you posted on here. I finished your book a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about Chickamauga and to use it while touring the battlefield or in preparation of touring it. Also CheathamHill mentioned Maps of Chickamauga by David Powell which is excellent for getting a better look at troop movements throughout the Tullahoma campaign and the battle itself. I'm looking forward to Powell's 3 volume set on the battle for sure.

 

[phil1861]

Chickamauga is one of those sites that is impossible to just tour without having done a whole lot of research into. I can't imagine just deciding to go drive around the site on a whim and understand it. You really have to troop the lines of monuments and read the markers to even orient yourself between the two days.