Battle of Chickamauga

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.

Result(s): Confederate victory

Partial List of Units Engaged:

CSA
1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment
1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles
3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
3rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment
4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment (Russell's)
4th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
4th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
5th Texas Infantry Regiment
8th Georgia Infantry Battalion
10th Tennessee Calvary Regiment (DeMoss')
13th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
13th Tennessee Infantry Regiment
16th Alabama Infantry Regiment
17th Tennessee Infantry Regiment
20th Tennessee Infantry Regiment
24th Mississippi Infantry Regiment
25th Texas Cavalry Regiment
32nd Alabama Infantry Regiment
35th Alabama Infantry Regiment
40th Alabama Infantry Regiment
41st Tennessee Infantry Regiment
50th Alabama Infantry Regiment

USA
110th Illinois Infantry Regiment

Bibliography