North Brainerd in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Giles A. Smith's Brigade

Morgan L. Smith's Division

— 15th Corps —

Giles A. Smith's Brigade Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

1. Giles A. Smith's Brigade Marker

Inscription. Giles A. Smith's Brigade
Morgan L. Smith's Division, - 15th Corps.
Col. Nathan W, Tupper.
Nov. 25, 1863.

55th Illinois, - Col. Oscar Malmborg.
116th Illinois, - Lieut. Col. James P. Boyd.
127th Illinois, - Lieut. Col. Frank S. Curtiss.
6th Missouri, - Lieut. Col. Ira Boutell.
8th Missouri, - Lieut. Col. David C. Coleman.
57th Ohio, - Lieut. Col. Samuel R. Mott.
13th U.S., 1st Battn. - Capt. C.C. Smith.
On the morning of the 25th the Brigade moved from near Boyce's Station southeastward about 850 yards, then southward about 500 yards on the high spur northeast of this point until it came in contact with the skirmishers of Lowrey's Confederate Brigade, when it crossed the narrow valley westward to the Lightburn Hill, which it descended at its southern extremity and near sunset, moved to this line and relieved Corse's Brigade and part of Lightburn's and intrenched.

Erected 1890 by Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Battlefield Commission. (Marker Number MT-128.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Sherman Reservation

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, and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park: November 25, 1863 series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1870.

Location. 35° 4.323′ N, 85° 14.298′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in North Brainerd. Marker can be reached from North Crest Road north of Lightfoot Mill Road. This historic marker is located in the Sherman Reservation, up on the hill called the "Sherman Heights," due north of the Iowa monument, up over the crest of the hill and just beyond three Illinois monuments (the 63rd Illinois) that are located partially down the backside of the slope. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37404, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 63rd Illinois Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Alexander's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 127th Illinois Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 116th Illinois Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 57th Ohio Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Earthworks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cockerill's Brigade (about 300 feet away); 70th Ohio Infantry (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.

More about this marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

2. Giles A. Smith's Brigade Marker

View of the historic marker and in the background, on the high ground above the marker, is a view of the 63rd Illinois Monument.

Because of its location in the Sherman Reservation it cannot be reached by car and can only be reached by foot. I would suggest parking your car in the provided parking area on Lightfoot Mill Road and then walking north on North Crest Road. You will reach a spot on this road where there is a locked gate barring further vehicle traffic on the road, but not foot traffic. Continue to walk all the way to the end of North Crest Road. Once there you will see a pathway that goes from the end of the road to the center of the gorge that separates "Tunnel Hill" to your south and "Sherman Heights" to your north. This historic marker is to the north on the "Sherman Heights."

Regarding Giles A. Smith's Brigade. While this tablet identifies both the location and role played during the military action of this particular Brigade, as well as listing the regimental units that make up this Brigade, not all of its listed regiments have individual markers and/or tablets for the park visitor to view. So of the regiments listed for Giles A. Smith's Brigade, all of them except for the 13th U.S. Battalion have either a marker or a tablet for visitors to view. In explaining why a number of the Army of Tennessee regimental units did not have markers, the NPS staff state the following,

"There is no indication that there ever were stone markers or bronze
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

3. Giles A. Smith's Brigade Marker
View looking downhill from the corner of the 63rd Illinois Monument of the backside, top, of the historic marker (mostly hidden by the foliage on the side of the hill).
tablets, as applicable for any of those units. Most of the (units) were positioned where the National Military Park did not acquire any ground.”

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Use this link to see the Regimental markers, tablets, and/or monuments for this Brigade (except for the 13th U.S. Battalion).

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2017

4. Giles A. Smith's Brigade Marker

View of page 128 from the National Park Service’s record book on the Chattanooga - Chickamauga ”MT-numbered” listings of classified structures, which is kept in the Chickamauga Battlefield Park's Visitor Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 12, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.