The Battle of Chickamauga, September 19 -- 20, 1863

Control of the strategic city of Chattanooga was the goal. A brilliant Union advance, led by Gen. William S. Rosecrans, forced the Confederates to abandoned Chattanooga in early September, 1863. Soon after, however, the reinforced Confederate army under Gen. Braxton Bragg maneuvered to bring Rosecrans to battle before his Union troops could cement their grasp of Chattanooga. The result was the two day battle of Chickamauga, 8 miles south of Chattanooga, in which 34,000 Americans became casualties. While the battle was a spectacular Confederate victory, the Union army managed to retreat into Chattanooga and fortify it, maintaining their hold on the goal of the campaign.

Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.

Original page, with additional info, here.

Photo credit: Byron Hooks of Lat34North.com.