Near Fort Oglethorpe in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
77th Pennsylvania Infantry
Dodge's Brigade
— Johnson's Division —
Text on the Front Side of the Monument:
77th Regiment
Veteran Infantry
2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps.
Army of the Cumberland
Text on the Front Side of the Bronze bas-relief Plaque:
Representing the attack made by General Deshler's and Smith's Confederate Brigades upon the lines of Colonel Dodge's Union Brigade, at the time when General Smith and staff rode into the line of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry, General Smith and two members of his staff being killed.
Text on the Back Side of the Monument:
This monument is erected by the State of Pennsylvania to her 77th Regiment of Infantry and marks the spot where it performed most important duty during a night engagement September 19th. 1863.
On the 18th of September the Regiment moved north along the crest of Lookout Mountain to Stevens' Gap, descending into McLemore's Cove in front of the enemy. Early on the morning of the 19th, it moved rapidly north, passing Crawfish Springs to near the Kelly house, forming in line of battle thence moving eastwardly, and soon striking the enemy and driving him by severe fighting to this point. About 6:30 P.M. an attack was made upon its lines and a desperate struggle ensued, the enemy closing in on front and both flanks, till to distinguish friend from foe was impossible. At 9 P.M., overpowered by numbers, all the field officers, 7 company officers, and 70 of the men were taken prisoners.
Organized August 1st, 1861. Discharged January 16th, 1866.
Erected 1894 by State of Pennsylvania. (Marker Number MT-1047.)
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1863.
Location. 34° 55.284′ N, 85° 14.635′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Catoosa County. Memorial can be reached from Alexanders Bridge Road east of Brotherton Road, on the right when traveling south. This monument is located in the national park that preserves the site of the Chickamauga Battlefield. The monument is located along a park hiking trail that runs through a section of wooded park land, off the southwest corner of the intersection of Alexanders Bridge Road and Brotherton Road. According to the location information provided by the National Park Service the, "Monument located within the Chickamauga Battlefield in the woods southeast of the intersection of Brotherton Road and Alexander Bridge Road, map site #108". 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. Preston Smith Memorial Shell Monument (a few steps from this marker); Smith's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 29th Indiana Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Dodge's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 79th Illinois Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 20th Ohio Battery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 30th Indiana Infantry (about 400 feet away); Joe L. Campbell Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.
More about this marker. According to the description information provided by the National Park Service, the monument is, "8' x 4' x 14' high, monument consists of two-piece rock-faced base, and shaft that includes bronze relief panel of battle scene, above which is raised-letter inscription and 5-point star with an acorn in relief."
I used the "Chickamauga Battlefield" map, that I purchased at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Visitor Center, to determine both the marker number for this tablet and the tablet's location in relation to the rest of the park's monuments, markers, and tablets. According to the map it provides the, "numerical listing of all monuments, markers, and tablets on the Chickamauga Battlefield (using the Chick-Chatt NMP Monument Numbering System).”
Regarding 77th Pennsylvania Infantry. It should be noted that this monument displays a bronze bas-relief artwork, that depicts the combat action that this regiment saw from this position.
When discussing Battlefield Monuments, the National Park Service offers this special insight: "Of special interest are bronze bas-relief plaques attached to many monuments. These depict battle scenes based on veterans' eyewitness accounts. Because there are no photographs of the fighting, these plaques are among the best visual records of the battles."
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on August 12, 2018, by T. Patton of Jefferson, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 27, 2017, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.