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| Thomas | Bragg | Longstreet | |
| 1819-98 | 1816-70 | 1817-76 | 1821-1904 |
CHICKAMAUGA
September 18-20 1863
PRELUDE
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.
Major General William S. Rosecrans and Major General George H. Thomas [US]
General Braxton Bragg and Lt. General James Longstreet [CS]
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| Thomas | Bragg | Longstreet | |
| 1819-98 | 1816-70 | 1817-76 | 1821-1904 |
FIRST DAY
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.
SECOND DAY
Fighting began in earnest on the morning of the 19th, and Bragg’s men hammered but did not break the Union line.
THIRD DAY
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.
AFTERMATH
The Union retired to Chattanooga while the Rebels occupied the surrounding heights.
RESULT
CONFEDERATE VICTORY
CASUALTIES
UNION TROOPS...................................56965 KILLED.......................................1657 WOUNDED.................................9756 CAPTURED OR MISSING.........4757 |
CONFEDERACY TROOPS..................................66000 Approx. KILLED................................ 2312 WOUNDED.............................14674 CAPTURED OR MISSING.......1468 |
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CHICKAMAUGA STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION