Near Fort Oglethorpe in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 26, 2017
1. Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument Marker
Left Wing
Lieutenant General James Longstreet
September 20, 1863. Afternoon.
Erected 1895 by the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Commission. (Marker Number MT-450.)
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1863.
Location. 34° 55.045′ N, 85° 16.128′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Walker County. Marker is on Dyer Road east of Chickamauga-Vittatoe Road, on the left when traveling east. This monument is located about 50 feet north of the roadway, in the North Dyer Field. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Oglethorpe GA 30742, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mark Thrash (a few steps from this marker); Hospital, 1st Division, 14th Corps Union Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery M, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rout of the Union Right (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery G, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battery G, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry
this page online
More about this monument. According to the description information provided by the National Park Service, the shell monument is, “6'2" square at base and 5' high, the monument consists of a pyramid of cannonballs set in cement & painted black, resting on a molded limestone base. Attached to base is a painted metal plaque identifying the headquarters site.”
The National Park Service goes on to state that, "the pyramid's square base is 7 shells wide and 7 shells deep. It is 7 layers tall."
The National Park Service also identifies E. E. Betts as being the engineer who was the designer of this monument.
With regards to monument's location the National Park Service states that the, "monument marks the site of General James Longstreet's Headquarters commanding the Left Wing of the Confederate Army on the afternoon of September 20, 1863."
In locating this monument I used the "Chickamauga Battlefield" map, that I purchased at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Visitor Center, to determine both the marker
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 26, 2017
2. Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument Marker
Close-up view of the text.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 26, 2017
3. Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument Marker
View of the monument, looking north from the Dyer roadway, with a view of the "Mark Thrash" panel marker situated in front of the featured monument.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 26, 2017
4. Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument Marker
View looking south of the featured monument, with a background view of the Dyer Road and a nearby designated parking area.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 26, 2017
5. Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument Marker
View of the monument in the North Dyer Field, with a herd of the park's wild deer seen just to the right of the single tree.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2017, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2017, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
