Most decisive Confederate Victory of the Western Theatre of War.

12 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA (USA)

The name Chickamauga was an indigenous Native American word that meant River of Death. The Confederates planted deserters to convince Rosecrans that their was considerable panic and the Confederates were retreating from Chattanooga in disarray. Rosecrans took the bait and spread out his Army over several lines of approach that could not support each other because of the mountainous terrain.

Neither side had a good picture of the other armies dispositions. The Confederate Army had been bolstered by reinforcements from Virginia under General Longstreet.
The pitched combat of the first day segued into the collapse and rout of the Union forces when Rosecrans moved Wood's division from the center of the line leaving a gaping hole. This coincided with a strong confederate push at the same point. Rosecrans and the commands of Cook and Crittenden broke for the rear leaving George Thomas the Union Commander on the field.
Known for posterity as the 'Rock of Chickamauga' Thomas managed to absorb the Confederate blow and the Union forces retreated to Chattanooga. Thomas' redoubtable performance saved the Army of the Cumberland from destruction. This is a serious indictment of Rosecrans. Although both armies were led by generals who had been indoctrinated in the concept of the Napoleonic Decisive battle, in truth an American Civil War Army was exceedingly durable and took months (if not years) to wear down and destroy.

Unfortunately for the Union forces Chattanooga is located at the bottom of a valley in the Mountains and constricted by the Tennessee River (which Chickamauga Creek is a tributary to). Not an ideal place to withdraw a broken army into. Chattanooga was under siege until it was relieved General Hiram (Ulysses S.) Grant. In a stunning reversal the Union managed to shatter the Confederate Forces on the seemingly impenetrable glacis of Lookout Mountain and the Union forces regained the initiative. That reversal of fortune did not occur until November 23rd of that year.

[entry provided by Robert C. Taney]

Union Army of the Cumberland

Number engaged :

58,000

Casualties :

17,000 (29.31%)

Confederate Army of the Tennessee

Number engaged :

64,000

Casualties :

18,500 (28.91%)