Eric R. Smith
Acting Superintendent
(423) 752-5213 - Phone
(423) 752-5215 - Fax

Date: September 8, 2006
For Immediate Release

      Acting Superintendent Eric Smith of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites visitors to participate in activities to commemorate the 143rd Anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga. On September 19th and 20th, 1863, two days of Civil War scarred the forests and fields along the banks of Chickamauga Creek in Northwest Georgia.
      You are invited to join a series of special walks, tours, and living history programs interpreting the most remarkable maneuvers and brilliant fighting in the Civil War. These programs will start Friday, September 15, and continue through Wednesday, September 20, 2006.
      For additional information, please contact the National Park service at (706)866-9241 x123.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006
Visitor Center extended hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Battlefield Tours:
10:30 a.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

2:00 p.m.- Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

6:30 p.m. – Chickamauga Creek “The Confederate Crossing”
      A Park Ranger will conduct a 2-mile walking tour near the Helm Hunt farm along the Chickamauga Creek. The Confederate Army crossings on September 18 and 19, 1863 set the stage for a Confederate victory in the fields and woods near the “River of Death.” The walking tour will make frequent stops to explore local landmarks, discuss battle actions, and learn about the aftermath of the battle. Visitors should meet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center where a car caravan will form and depart for the trailhead. Please wear sturdy shoes, and bring a bottle of water.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2006
Visitor Center extended hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Battlefield Tours:
9:30 a.m. – Jay’s Mill to the Brotherton Farm
      Join a Park Ranger on a driving and walking tour that will follow the order of battle as it occurred on September 19, 1863 as Confederate and Federal soldiers waged a desperate fight in the fields and woods from Jays Mill to the Brotherton Farm. Visitors should meet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center, where a car caravan will form and depart for the trailhead. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water.

10:30 a.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

11:30 a.m. Fallen Leaders at Chickamauga
      Join a Park Ranger for a car caravan and walking tour highlighting the battle actions that led to The deaths of eight brigade commanders killed in the “Bloodiest Two Day Battle” of the Civil War. Visit some of these landmarks to discuss the battle actions and deaths of these Brigade Commanders. This 2-hour tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water.

2:00 p.m.- Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

2:30 p.m. - The Viniard Farm- “The Ditch of Death”
      Join a Park Ranger and explore the September 19, 1863 actions during the Battle of Chickamauga at the Viniard Farm. Here desperate action across the Lafayette Road would mark the brutal scene of battle with hundreds of casualties. This tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water.

6:30 p.m. Confederate Night Attack Walking Tour
      Join a Park Ranger for a special twilight walking tour that will examine General Patrick Cleburne’s and Frank Cheatham’s battle strategies during the night attack at Chickamauga against Union troops of Baird’s and Johnson’s Divisions near the Winfrey and Brock Fields. The walk will cover approximately 1 ½ miles on roads and trails through woods and across fields. Visitors should meet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center where a car caravan will form and depart for the trailhead. Please wear sturdy shoes, bring a bottle of water and a flashlight.

Living History Programs:
Artillery demonstrations will be held throughout the day. Schedules will be posted at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Follow the special program signs to the demonstration area.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2006
Visitor Center extended hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Battlefield Tours:
10:30 a.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

11:00 a.m.- Longstreet’s Breach of the Federal line
      Join a Park Ranger for a 1 1/2-hour walking tour near the Brotherton Farm. Here on the late morning of September 20, 1863 the Confederate Army would deal a devastating blow to the Union Army. Longstreet’s assault at the Brotherton Farm would send one-third of the Union Army in flight from Chickamauga. This tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Please wear sturdy shoes, and bring a bottle of water.

12:30 p.m.- Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center

2:00 p.m. Georgia 8th Regiment Band, Concert
      Join the 8th Georgia Regiment Band on the North Terrace of the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. A music program of traditional Civil War music will be performed. The performance will be held outdoors, so bring a lawn chair or ground blanket for your seating comfort.

3:00 p.m. – Snodgrass Hill - “The Final Hours”
      Join a Park Ranger on a two-mile walking tour across the slopes of Snodgrass Hill. Here on the afternoon and evening hours of September 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. This tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water.

Living History Programs:
Artillery demonstrations will be held throughout the day. Schedules will be posted at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Follow the special program signs to the demonstration site.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

Battlefield Tour:
10:30 a.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

1:30 p.m.- Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

6:30 p.m. Col. John T. Wilder, “The Lightning Brigade”
      Join a Park Ranger for a car caravan and walking tour that follows the path of Wilder’s Brigade, beginning at the Alexander House on September 18, 1863 and ending at the Widow Glenn’s House on September 20, 1863. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Wear appropriate walking shoes and bring a bottle of water.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006

Battlefield Tour:
10:30 a.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

1:30 p.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

7:00 p.m. – The Battle of Chickamauga
      Join the Park Ranger on a walking tour that will follow the footsteps of confused Confederate Soldiers under the command of Major General Patrick Cleburne. Learn about the last assault on the Federal Army on the evening of September 19, 1863. This walk will cover approximately 1 ½ miles on roads and trails. Meet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center where a car caravan will form and depart to Winfrey Field. You are encouraged to bring a flashlight, wear appropriate clothing and bring a bottle of water.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006

Battlefield Tour:
10:30 a.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

1:30 p.m. - Car Caravan Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
      Join a Park Ranger for a 90-minute car caravan tour covering the highlights of the Battle of Chickamauga. The tour will begin at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.

6:30 p.m. – Snodgrass Hill - “The Final Hours”
      Join a Park Ranger for a two-mile walking tour across the slopes of Snodgrass Hill. On the afternoon and evening hours of September 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. Visitors should meet at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center where a car caravan will form and depart for the trailhead. Please wear sturdy shoes, bring along a bottle of water and a flashlight.