First, we have a change of venue for the Friday night discussion session. Instead of Constitution Hall, we will be meeting at Lee and Gordon’s Mills in Chickamauga. Constitution Hall is not available due to the upcoming primary election.
Adress for Lee and Gordon’s Mills:
71 Red Belt Road #3316, Chickamauga, GA 30707
Second, we have a couple of cancellations, so if you wish to grab a seat on Friday’s bus, meet us at the History Store’s parking lot at 8:15 Friday morning.
March 8-9, 2024
To all: the Friday Bus is now sold out. If you have any question about whether you have a reserved seat, be aware that if I cashed your check, you have a seat. Your canceled check is your receipt (one reason I still ask for checks.)
Going forward, I will take standby reservations for the bus, and you can alternatively elect to follow us in your own vehicle. Inevitably, there will be a couple of cancellations – happens every year – so contact me at dpowell334@aol.com to verify there is room.
Saturday, as ever, is open to all. Let’s hope for balmy spring weather.
Thanks,
Dave
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Study Group is to create a forum to bring students of the American Civil War together to study and explore those events in the fall of 1863 that led ultimately to the creation of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, as well as explore other nearby Civil War-related sites.
Tour Leaders: Jim Ogden and Dave Powell
Date: Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9, 2024; By bus and car caravan.
Friday’s tour will begin and end at the History Company, 2949 LaFayette Road, just north of the Chickamauga Park north entrance.
Saturday’s tours will begin and end at the CCNMP Visitor’s Center.
Bus – Friday all day, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.: Bragg’s Right Flank
We will travel to Cleveland, Charleston, Philadelphia, and Loudoun. This exploration will cover events both before and after Chickamauga, including Buckner’s withdrawal to join Bragg, Confederate raiding actions in the Fall of 1863, and Eli Long’s strike at Cleveland in November. Lunch TBA.
Friday evening, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Q&A Panel with Jim Ogden, Dave Powell.
Site: Constitution Hall, 205 Forrest Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Reprise of the Annual free-form Question and Answer session.
Car Caravan – Saturday Morning, 8:30 to Noon: Richard Johnson enters the fight, September 19th, Brock Field.
In sending Richard Johnson’s division of the 20th Corps into action, George Thomas could only tell Johnson to advance “oblique to the general line.” This brought Willich’s and Baldwin’s brigades into contact with Cheatham’s division of Polk’s Corps; Dodge was subsequently committed to attack into Brock Field. We will follow Willich’s and then Dodge’s movements.
Break for lunch
Car Caravan – Saturday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: The Confederate assaults in Poe Field, September 20 AM —S.A.M. Wood, Bate, Clayton, McNair.
Before the breakthrough in Brotherton Field, Wood’s Brigade of Cleburne and A. P. Stewart’s three brigades assaulted Brannan and Reynolds’s divisions in Poe Field. All were repulsed. Finally, as the Federal right flank crumbled, McNair’s brigade broke through, though not without tough fighting.
Costs:
Friday’s Tours will be by Bus. Pre-registration and Fee required: $45, due by February 1, 2024.
Sign-up after February 1 or on-site Fee (based on space available): $50.
Saturday: no charge.
Fees raised in excess of costs (as well as any donations) will be used to support the causes of battlefield preservation, interpretation, and renovation.
In 2023 the Study Group made the following donation:
$500 to the Jewell Monument fund, run by the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, for maintenance and restoration needs.
Send to (and make checks payable to):
David Powell
522 Cheyenne Drive
Lake in the Hills IL 60156
Note: Your cashed check confirms your reservation on Friday’s bus.
This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE after February 1st, 2024. Once we are committed to the bus, we will be charged the booking fee, and unable to cancel.
Please note that everyone is responsible for their own lodging, meals, snacks, and incidentals.
Weather note: Last year, we had snow on Saturday, but we did not cancel. We are a (fool)hardy bunch, we go rain or shine. Dress accordingly.
Important: Friday’s Bus is Sold Out. I will be taking Standby reservations only. If you have questions, please contact me at dpowell334@aol.com
Just a quick update to the Seminar in the Woods:
First, I now have 40 signups. just ten more spaces are left on the Friday Bus – Saturday is of course, open to all.
Second, we will be providing lunch at Greg’s Restaurant in Chickamauga, at 1:30 on Friday. Lunch will run later than usual because we have a lot of ground to cover in the morning, and we want to work around the restaurant’s regular lunch business.
The fare will be of the “meat and three” variety, southern cooking. Lunch will be paid for out of your existing sign-up fee, no need to pay extra.
Thank you and see you in March.
Seminar in the Woods:
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Study Group is to create a forum to bring students of the American Civil War together to study and explore those events in the fall of 1863 that led ultimately to the creation of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, as well as explore other nearby Civil War-related sites.
Tour Leaders: Jim Ogden and Dave Powell
Date: Friday, March 10, and Saturday, March 11, 2023; By bus and car caravan.
Friday’s tour will begin and end at the History Company, 2949 LaFayette Road, just north of the Chickamauga Park north entrance.
Saturday’s tours will begin and end at the CCNMP Visitor’s Center.
Bus – Friday all day, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.: Cavalry Operations on the Union Right
We will travel through McLemore Cove as far as Dougherty’s Gap (not through, the bus cannot navigate the road) and then come back north, discussing cavalry operations up to Glass Mill and Crawfish Spring. This will be a daylong tour. Lunch TBA.
Friday evening, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Q&A Panel with Jim Ogden, Dave Powell.
Site: Gilbert-Stephenson Park Pavilion, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Reprise of the Annual free-form Question and Answer session.
Car Caravan – Saturday Morning, 8:30 to Noon: Confederate Artillery in Action, Williams’s and Robertson’s Battalions, plus A. P. Stewart’s advance on September 20.
Despite artillery’s overall limited effectiveness amid the heavily wooded terrain of Chickamauga, there were instances of that arm’s effective employment during the battle. During the afternoon of September 20, Confederate reserve artillery was used to engage the southern end of the Union Kelly Field position, prior to the final advance of A. P. Stewart’s division. Our morning talk will explore both the artillery engagement and that final advance.
Break for lunch
Car Caravan – Saturday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Confederate Artillery in Action, Cleburne’s batteries reduce the 4th Indiana, and Cleburne vs. Starkweather
A second example of effective artillery use can be found in Cleburne’s Division, also on September 20. After being repulsed in the morning, Rebel gunners focused on suppressing the Federal 4th Indiana Battery. The action that followed provides a fine example of highly effective interarm coordination, allowing Cleburne’s division to drive into Kelly Field against Starkweather’s brigade on the evening of September 20.
Costs:
Friday’s Tours will be by Bus. Pre-registration and Fee required: $45, due by February 1, 2023.
Sign-up after February 1 or on-site Fee (based on space available): $50
Saturday: no charge.
Fees raised in excess of costs (as well as any donations) will be used to support the causes of battlefield preservation, interpretation, and renovation.
In 2022 the Study Group made the following donations:
$500 to the Jewell Monument fund, run by the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, for maintenance and restoration needs.
$750 to the American Battlefield Trust, in support of land acquisition at western battlefields.
Send to (and make checks payable to):
David Powell
1300 Mark Street
Bensenville IL 60106
This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE after February 1st, 2023. Once we are committed to the bus, we will be charged the booking fee, and unable to cancel.
Please note that everyone is responsible for their own lodging, meals, snacks, and incidentals.
Weather note: Last year, we had snow on Saturday, but we did not cancel. We are a (fool)hardy bunch, we go rain or shine. Dress accordingly.
REVISED – DUE TO CONTINUED COVID CONCERNS
In order to accommodate ongoing safety concerns, as well as NPS regulations concerning bus tours, we are going to change the Friday tours. We are replacing the bus tour into McLemore’s Cove with two car-caravan walking tours.
If you paid a bus fee, and wish for a refund, send me an email at dpowell334@aol.com. Otherwise, I will donate all excess funds to either the park Monument fund or American Battlefield Trust, as I have done in the past.
As noted below, Last year, we donated $500 to ABT, and $750 to the Jewell Monument Fund. In 2022, we should be able to do the same or a bit better.
Seminar in the Woods: Chickamauga, March 11-12, 2022
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Study Group is to create a forum to bring students of the American Civil War together to study and explore those events in the fall of 1863 that led ultimately to the creation of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, as well as explore other nearby Civil War-related sites.
Tour Leaders: Jim Ogden and Dave Powell
Date: Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, 2022; By bus and car caravan.
Friday’s and Saturday’s tours will begin and end at the CCNMP Visitor’s Center.
Car Caravan – Friday Morning, 8:30 to Noon: Buckner crosses the Creek, Sept 18 and 19, 1863.
Buckner’s Corps, which was supposed to join the general crossing of West Chickamauga Creek on September 18, did not do so that Friday. Instead, while elements secured the intended fords, Buckner’s two divisions did not establish themselves on the west side of Chickamauga Creek until Saturday, September 19. We will explore these little-visited crossing sites and examine the reasons for the delays.
Car Caravan – Friday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Trigg’s Brigade in Viniard Field and the charge of the 6th Florida Infantry
Despite the proximity of Buckner’s Corps to the fighting in Viniard Field, Col. Robert Trigg’s Florida Brigade is the only element of that corps which became involved in the fighting there, and even that combat was disjointed. We will follow Trigg’s movements, especially that of the 6th Florida, which charged all alone across Viniard Field on the afternoon of September 19.
Friday evening, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Q&A Panel with Jim Ogden, Dave Powell.
Site: Gilbert-Stephenson Park Pavilion, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Reprise of the Annual free-form Question and Answer session.
Car Caravan – Saturday Morning, 8:30 to Noon: Sheridan comes to grief, the fight for Lytle Hill.
Between 12 and 1 PM on September 20, after an unsettled morning’s shifting of position multiple times, Philip Sheridan’s division was dispatched to reinforce George Thomas’ line in the vicinity of Kelly Field. Sheridan’s men never reached their destination. Instead, they ran headlong into the southern flank of the Confederate breakthrough column—Thomas C. Hindman’s large infantry division. Laiboldt’s and Lytle’s brigades were engaged in and around what has come to be known as Lytle Hill, where Brig. Gen. William H. Lytle was killed in action.
Car Caravan – Saturday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Manigault’s brigade vs. Walworth and Wilder.
While Sheridan’s other two brigades grappled with the bulk of Hindman’s division, Col. Nathan Walworth’s brigade (Formerly Bradley’s, wounded on September 19) turned to face Confederate Brig. Gen. Arthur L. Manigault’s large command of Alabamians and South Carolinians. The resultant encounter, first with Walworth and then with the newly-arrived Lightning Brigade under John T. Wilder, delivered a rude check to Manigault’s command—and saved Sheridan’s division from further disaster.
Costs: Bus Cancelled. If you need a refund, send email to dpowell334@aol.com
Friday and Saturday: no charge.
Fees raised in excess of costs (as well as any donations) will be used to support the causes of battlefield preservation, interpretation, and renovation.
In 2021 the Study Group made the following donations:
$750 to the Jewell Monument fund, run by the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, for maintenance and restoration needs.
$500 to the American Battlefield Trust, in support of land acquisition on Lookout Mountain and other western battlefields.
Send to (and make checks payable to):
David Powell
1300 Mark Street
Bensenville IL 60106
This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE after February 1st, 2022. Once we are committed to the bus, we will be charged the booking fee, no matter what.
Please note that everyone is responsible for their own lodging, meals, snacks, and incidentals.
Thank you, see you in March.
Seminar in the Woods: Chickamauga, March 11-12, 2022
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Study Group is to create a forum to bring students of the American Civil War together to study and explore those events in the fall of 1863 that led ultimately to the creation of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, as well as explore other nearby Civil War-related sites.
Tour Leaders: Jim Ogden and Dave Powell
Date: Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, 2022; By bus and car caravan.
Friday’s tour will begin and end at The History Company, 2949 Lafayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe Georgia. Parking is available, but please carpool as much as possible.
Saturday’s tour will begin and end at the CCNMP Visitor’s Center.
By Bus:
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00: Union Cavalry Operations.
On Friday, we will explore Union cavalry movements from Dougherty’s Gap at the southern tip of McLemore’s Cove, movements around Blue Bird Gap, and the actions around Glass Mill, Lee & Gordon’s Mills, and the evacuation of Crawfish Springs.
Lunch is TBD, but probably on your own in the vicinity of the town of Chickamauga.
Friday evening, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Q&A Panel with Jim Ogden, Dave Powell.
Site: TBD, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Reprise of the Annual free-form Question and Answer session.
Car Caravan – Saturday Morning, 8:30 to Noon: Sheridan comes to grief, the fight for Lytle Hill.
Between 12 and 1 PM on September 20, after an unsettled morning’s shifting of position multiple times, Philip Sheridan’s division was dispatched to reinforce George Thomas’ line in the vicinity of Kelly Field. Sheridan’s men never reached their destination. Instead, they ran headlong into the southern flank of the Confederate breakthrough column—Thomas C. Hindman’s large infantry division. Laiboldt’s and Lytle’s brigades were engaged in and around what has come to be known as Lytle Hill, where Brig. Gen. William H. Lytle was killed in action.
Car Caravan – Saturday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Manigault’s brigade vs. Walworth and Wilder.
While Sheridan’s other two brigades grappled with the bulk of Hindman’s division, Col. Nathan Walworth’s brigade (Formerly Bradley’s, wounded on September 19) turned to face Confederate Brig. Gen. Arthur L. Manigault’s large command of Alabamians and South Carolinians. The resultant encounter, first with Walworth and then with the newly-arrived Lightning Brigade under John T. Wilder, delivered a rude check to Manigault’s command—and saved Sheridan’s division from further disaster.
Costs:
Friday’s Tours will be by Bus. Pre-registration and Fee required: $45, due by February 1, 2022.
Sign-up after February 1 or on-site Fee (based on space available): $50
Saturday: no charge.
Fees raised in excess of costs (as well as any donations) will be used to support the causes of battlefield preservation, interpretation, and renovation.
In 2021 the Study Group made the following donations:
$750 to the Jewell Monument fund, run by the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, for maintenance and restoration needs.
$500 to the American Battlefield Trust, in support of land acquisition on Lookout Mountain and other western battlefields.
Thanks to all who contributed.
Send to (and make checks payable to) my work address at:
David Powell
1300 Mark Street
Bensenville IL 60106
This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE after February 1st, 2022. Once we are committed to the bus, we will be charged the booking fee, no matter what.
Please note that everyone is responsible for their own lodging, meals, snacks, and incidentals.
Thank you, see you in March.
Revised schedule for 2021
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Study Group is to create a forum to bring students of the American Civil War together to study and explore those events in the fall of 1863 that led ultimately to the creation of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, as well as explore other nearby Civil War-related sites.
COVID NOTICE: Due to the state of Coviid in the country, we are eliminating the bus tour on Friday and will substitute two other battle walks for Friday morning and afternoon.
Thank you for your understanding.
Tour Leaders: Jim Ogden and Dave Powell
Date: Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March 13, 2021; on foot and by car caravan.
All tours begin and end at the Visitor’s Center. We will not be gathering inside, but instead will hold a short talk in the field outside the VC before departing.
Friday evening, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Q&A Panel with Jim Ogden, Dave Powell, and others (as announced)
Site: TBA
Friday
Car Caravan – Friday Morning, 8:30 to Noon: A. P. Stewart and Bate’s Breakthrough, 4 PM September 19.
On the afternoon of September 19, Confederate General A. P. Stewart’s three brigades were committed to action in the woods east of Brotherton Field. After several hours of see-saw action, Stewart’s brigades achieved two significant ruptures of the Union lines; Clayton’s Alabama Brigade pushed through Brotherton Field to emerge at the east edge of South Dyer Field, while Bate’s mixed Georgia-Tennessee Brigade drove northwest, into Poe Field. Exhaustion, a lack of support, and a vigorous Union response triggered the eventual retreat of Stewart’s forces. In the morning’s walk, we will consider the Confederate side of this fight, largely tracking Bate’s brigade.
Car Caravan – Friday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: The Federals seal the breach – Brotherton Field, 5 pm September 19.
The Federal response to Stewart’s breakthrough was rapid and effective. A number of different brigades were ultimately involved in this response, including that of William B. Hazen, only recently disengaged from the fighting in Brock Field. We will track that response, following Hazen’s command from Poe Field to Brotherton Field
Saturday
Car Caravan – Saturday Morning, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Lucius Polk assaults the Kelly Field Line, 11 am, September 20.
John C. Breckinridge’s assault into Kelly Field came within a hairsbreadth of success. D. H. Hill’s other division, under Patrick Cleburne, faced a much more difficult proposition. All three of Cleburne’s brigades ran into stiff resistance, which was compounded by the disjointed divisional advance. We will follow Polk’s brigade as it strikes the Kelly Field Line.
Car Caravan – Saturday Afternoon, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Leaving Kelly Field: Dodge’s and Barnes’s Brigades on September 20.
The Union left flank of the Kelly Field line on September 20 came together in haphazard fashion. Eventually, two brigades – those of Joseph Dodge and Sidney Barnes – drawn from two different divisions, from two different corps, comprised Thomas’s Left in Kelly Field. The story of their fight, and retreat, is among the most confusing elements of Chickamauga. We will explore the positions and experiences of these two commands at the end of the day on September 20, 1863.
Costs for Friday and Saturday: no charge.
Fees already raised in excess of our costs (as well as any donations) will be used to support the causes of battlefield preservation, interpretation, and renovation.
In 2020 the Study Group donated $500 to the Jewell Monument fund, run by the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, for maintenance and restoration needs, and $500 to the American Battlefield Trust, in response to an appeal to help save several western battlefields, including a piece of Missionary Ridge.
Bathroom Note: The Park is still running on reduced hours. The restrooms at the Visitor’s Center will not be open until 8:30 a.m., and will close at 5:00 p.m. The VC itself will not open until 11:00 a.m. Make sure you plan accordingly.
Please note that everyone is responsible for their own lodging, meals, snacks and incidentals.
Thank you, see you in March.
Dear Friends,
After discussions with Jim Ogden, he and I have both decided that the best strategy at this time is to change the Friday Bus portion of our tour to two more battlefield walks
NOTE: THE SEMINAR IS NOT CANCELLED – WE ARE MERELY SUBSTITUTING THE BUS PORTION FOR ADDITIONAL WALKING TOURS.
I will post a revised itinerary announcement later this week, adding two Friday walking tours and detailing some procedural changes we will have to make in order to accommodate the Park’s revised hours.
Important: If you wish to receive a refund for the money you paid towards the bus, please send me an email (dpowell334@aol.com) requesting one, and I will send you a check.
That said, all monies raised in excess of costs are traditionally used to either support land acquisition for CCNMP, or equally importantly, for monument restoration via the Jewell Monument Fund run by the Friends of the Parks.
So I urge you to consider allowing me to donate your fees to the Jewell Monument Fund, as that is what I intend to do with this year’s excess revenue.
Thank you. More details to follow.
Chickamauga Blog 