On Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, two days of civil war scarred the forests and fields along the Chickamauga Creek in northwest Georgia. At its conclusion, more than 34,000 Americans were counted as casualties, of whom 4,000 were dead.
Park staff will present a series of special walks, tours and living history programs interpreting the battle actions of 142 years ago. These programs will start Friday, Sept. 16, and continue through Tuesday, Sept. 20, at various locations on the Chickamauga Battlefield.
A full schedule of programs can be viewed on the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park web page, www.nps.gov/chch, or by calling the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at (706) 866-9241.
Programs are subject to change due to uncontrolled circumstances. All events will start at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. The visitor center will be open on Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16
Jays Mill to the Brotherton Farm, 6:30 p.m.
Join park ranger Jim Blackwell on this driving and walking tour as he describes battle actions on Sept. 19, 1863 from Jays Mill to the Brotherton Farm. This tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Fight at the Viniard Farm, 9:30 a.m.
Join park ranger Jim Blackwell on a walking tour on the grounds of the Viniard Farm. Here on the afternoon of Sept. 19, 1863, the clash of Confederate and Union troops would scar this land and leave with it a name that would mark the harshness of battle, “The Ditch of Death.”
Car Caravan Tour, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga.
Col. John T. Wilder, “The Lightning Brigade”, 11:30 a.m.
Join park ranger Rebecca Karcher as she explores the path of Wilder’s Brigade beginning at the Alexander House on Sept. 18, 1863 and ending at the Widow Glenn House on Sept. 20, 1863.
Breckinridge Assaults the Union Left, 2:30 p.m.
Join park ranger Jim Blackwell for a 90-minute walking tour covering the ground where the initial assault by Confederate soldiers was led by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge’s division on Sept. 20, 1863.
Living history programs: Cavalry, infantry and artillery demonstrations
Living historians portraying Confederate cavalrymen and Union infantrymen will demonstrate weapons, tactics and military maneuvers. Confederate artillerymen will demonstrate firing of Civil War field pieces. Demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day at several locations on
Chickamauga Battlefield. Follow the signs to the location of these special demonstrations. Artillery programs will be at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Cavalry and infantry programs will be held throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Civilian refugees
A group of living historians will portray civilian refugees. Learn about the hardships and disruptions brought on families by the Civil War. Programs will be held throughout the day at the Snodgrass Cabin.
Special guests
Author Roger Linton will be available throughout the day at the Battlefield Visitor Center to sign his book, “Chickamauga, Battle History in Images.”
Artist Louis Varnell will be available throughout the day at the Battlefield Visitor Center to sign his print “Bowed but not Broken”, a tribute to the Confederate soldier.
Sunday, Sept. 18
Fallen Leaders at Chickamauga, 10 a.m.
Over the course of two days, Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, eight brigade commanders — Heg, Baldwin, Smith, Helm, Colquit, King, Deschler and Lytle — sustained mortal wounds during the Battle of Chickamauga. Join park ranger Anton Heinlein as he visits the sites memorialized for these fallen leaders.
Car Caravan Tour, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga.
Longstreet Assaults the Union Line at the Brotherton Farm, 11:30 a.m.
Join park ranger Lee White for a 90-minute tour that will follow Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s path as he takes command of the Confederate Army’s left wing and advances toward victory during the Battle of Chickamauga.
Snodgrass Hill Walk, 2:30 p.m.
Join park ranger Rebecca Karcher on a two-mile walking tour across the slopes of Snodgrass Hill. Here on the afternoon and evening hours of Sept. 20, 1863, the final battle actions would seal an army’s fate. Explore the consequences of battle decisions and what the Confederate and Union armies both won and lost.
Living history programs: Cavalry, infantry and artillery demonstrations
Living historians portraying Confederate cavalrymen and Union infantrymen will demonstrate weapons, tactics and military maneuvers. Confederate artillerymen will demonstrate firing of Civil War field pieces. Demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day at several locations on
Chickamauga Battlefield. Follow the signs to the location of these special demonstrations. Artillery programs will be at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Cavalry and infantry programs will be held throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Civilian refugees
Join a group of living historians portraying civilian refugees. Learn about the hardships and disruptions brought on families by the Civil War. Programs will be held throughout the day at the Snodgrass Cabin.
Special guests
Author Roger Linton will be available throughout the day at the Battlefield Visitor Center to sign his book, “Chickamauga, Battle History in Images.”
Artist Louis Varnell will be available throughout the day at the Battlefield Visitor Center to sign his print “Bowed but not Broken”, a tribute to the Confederate soldier.
Monday, Sept. 19
Car Caravan Tour, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga.
Confederate Night Attack Walking Tour, 6:30 p.m.
Join park ranger Rebecca Karcher for a special twilight walking tour traversing the area of Cleburne’s night attack at Chickamauga. This tour will examine the sunset attack of Confederate generals Patrick Cleburne’s and Benjamin Franklin Cheatham’s divisions as they engaged the Union troops of Gen. Absalom Baird’s and Gen. Richard Johnson’s divisions in the area of Winfrey and Brock Fields. The walk will cover approximately two miles along roads and trails. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a flashlight.
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Car Caravan Tour, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga.
Twilight Driving Tour, 6:30 p.m.
Join park ranger Jim Blackwell for a special evening drive through Chickamauga Battlefield. This 90-minute program will trace two days of battle action that shattered a quiet countryside and bloodied the woods and fields of Chickamauga with more than 34,000 American casualties.
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