Near Fort Oglethorpe in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rosecrans' Headquarters Shell Monument
Army of the Cumberland.
Major General W.S. Rosecrans.
September 20, 1863, 10 A.M., to 11:15 A.M.
Erected 1895 by the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Commission. (Marker Number MT-451.)
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1863.
Location. 34° 54.947′ N, 85° 16.314′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Walker County. Marker is on Dyer Road east of Chickamauga-Vittatoe Road, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located in the national park that preserves the site of the Chickamauga Battlefield, along a park walking trail, at the western end of the South 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. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry (here, next to this marker); Harker's Brigade (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buell's Brigade (about 500 feet away); Barnes' Brigade (about 800 feet away); 35th Indiana Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); 7th Indiana Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mark Thrash (approx. 0.2 miles away); Longstreet's Headquarters Shell Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.
More about this monument. According to the description information provided by the National Park Service, the marker is, “7'10" 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 later added to the description (in 2000) stating, "The cannonballs were originally welded together, and then later laid with cement in the corners of the monument--vandals occasionally try to chip out the balls."
The National Park Service also identifies E. E. Betts as being the engineer who was the designer of this monument.
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 number for this monument and the monument'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).”
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2018, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 21, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.