Chickamauga Battle of Chickamauga Pictures
Other Names: None
Location: Catoosa County and Walker County
Campaign: Chickamauga Campaign (1863)
Date(s): September 18-20, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans and Maj.
Gen. George H. Thomas [US]; Gen. Braxton Bragg and Lt. Gen. James Longstreet [CS]
Forces Engaged: The Army of the Cumberland [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 34,624 total (US 16,170; CS 18,454)
Description: After the Tullahoma Campaign, Rosecrans renewed
his offensive, aiming to force the Confederates out of Chattanooga. The three army corps comprising Rosecrans’s army
split and set out for Chattanooga by separate routes. In early September, Rosecrans consolidated his forces scattered in Tennessee
and Georgia and forced Bragg’s army out of Chattanooga, heading south. The Union troops followed it and brushed with
it at Davis’ Cross Roads. Bragg was determined to reoccupy Chattanooga and decided to meet a part of Rosecrans’s
army, defeat them, and then move back into the city. On the 17th he headed north, intending to meet and beat the XXI Army
Corps. As Bragg marched north on the 18th, his cavalry and infantry fought with Union cavalry and mounted infantry which were
armed with Spencer repeating rifles. Fighting began in earnest on the morning of the 19th, and Bragg’s men hammered but did not break the Union line. The
next day, Bragg continued his assault on the Union line on the left, and in late morning, Rosecrans was informed that he had
a gap in his line. In moving units to shore up the supposed gap, Rosencrans created one, and James Longstreet’s men
promptly exploited it, driving one-third of the Union army, including Rosecrans himself, from the field. George H. Thomas
took over command and began consolidating forces on Horseshoe Ridge and Snodgrass Hill. Although the Rebels launched determined
assaults on these forces, they held until after dark. Thomas then led these men from the field leaving it to the Confederates.
The Union retired to Chattanooga while the Rebels occupied the surrounding heights.
James Garfield served as Major General William S. Rosecrans' Chief of
Staff at Chickamauga. Four months after becoming President of the United States, Garfield was shot in the back by a disgruntled
office seeker. Garfield died two months later on September 19, 1881, the anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga.
Result(s): Confederate victory
Sources: National Park Service; Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
