On
September 18, 1863, Union Commander William Rosecrans
ran into heavier than expected Rebel resistance as his
troops moved out of the rugged mountains in northwest
Georgia. He began to move north, intending to regroup
in Chattanooga, only recently captured from Confederate
forces. Rosecrans opponent, Braxton Bragg, ordered his
Rebels to take the bridges over Chickamauga Creek. Thus
began the bloodiest two days of American history.
Today
the battlefield is the best preserved monument to the
people who fought and died during the War Between the
States. The battlefield features a driving tour that
includes the Brotherton Cabin, scene of the Confederate
breakthrough, Wilder Tower, where Union troops advanced
against overwhelming odds to briefly delay the Rebel
onslaught, and Snodgrass Hill, where General George
Thomas rallied his men into a successful last ditch
effort to halt the Confederate advance.
Additionally,
Chickamauga Battlefield has a museum, the 300+ piece
Fuller gun collection, miles of hiking trails and literally
hundreds of monuments and historic markers.
Park
Headquarters
Wilder
Tower Tallest monument at Chickmauga National Military
Park
Gordon-Lee
Mansion
The only structure that was used during, and still
survives, the great Battle of Chickamauga (ca.
1847)
