Chickamauga: A Battlefield Guide

by Steven E. Woodworth

The hard-fought and dramatic battles of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863) and Chattanooga (November 23–25, 1863) changed the course of the Civil War. These battles sounded the death knell of the Confederacy and put Ulysses S. Grant on the road to final victory. For the first time in one convenient guide, Steven E. Woodworth provides an overview of the battles and an on-site tour to help both serious students and casual visitors get the most out of a visit to Chickamauga and Chattanooga.

 

The guide emphasizes how the opposing armies used terrain and how that terrain shaped the course of each battle. Easy-to-follow directions to specific locations enable you to view the field from the historic perspectives of the combatants. Whether used alone or as a supplement to a tour, this guide will enhance your visit. Clearly written and illustrated with maps and photographs, it is an invaluable tool for both knowledgeable Civil War enthusiasts and first-time visitors to Chickamauga and Chattanooga.

Genres: Civil War, Nonfiction

182 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Todd Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woodworth has written a battlefield tour of two of the most momentous Civil War battlefields in the Western theater of action: Chickamauga and Chattanooga. They are closely intertwined conflicts, occurring only a few miles apart and happening within 2 months of each other, in the fall of 1863. Chickamauga being a Confederate victory on September 19-20 in north Georgia, just across the state line from Chattanooga, and Chattanooga, Tennessee taking place on November 23-25, 1863, resulting in a resounding Union win.

I know both battlefields well. I lived on the back side of Missionary Ridge where the climax of Chattanooga occurred. My college campus was a few short blocks from Orchard Knob, Grant’s headquarters during the battle, and most of my classrooms afforded stunning views of Lookout Mountain. Chickamauga was a short 10 minute drive from my home, and I visited as often as possible.

Woodworth’s tour is incredibly accurate, drawing from my memory those historic locations I walked over hundreds of times. For anyone planning a visit to these battlefields, or simply wanting to better understand the terrain, this is a highly valuable resource for all Civil War enthusiasts.

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide. I plan on using it religiously this year when I tour both Chickamauga and Chattanooga parks.