Near Fort Oglethorpe in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Plaques and Markers

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014

1. Historic Plaques and Markers Marker

Inscription.

Historic Plaques and Markers. . Battlefield plaques document troop positions and movements. On August 19, 1890, the U.S. Congress established the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park for the purpose of "preserving and suitably marking for historical and professional military study the fields of some of the most remarkable maneuvers and most brilliant fighting in the war of the rebellion....", The three park commissioners, all veterans of Chickamauga or Chattanooga, placed hundreds of cast-iron plaques and other markers on the battlefields in the early 1890s. Each plaque identifies the location of a particular army, corps, division, brigade, or artillery battery at a specific time. The plaques also describe military actions., Hundreds of veterans contributed information for the plaques, and retraced their steps to determine the exact locations of their units. Today the plaques remain valuable tools for those who seek to understand in detail how these complex battles were fought., Types of Plaques:. Today you will find several types of historic plaques and markers on the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields. , , , , , , , , , , . Blue plaques mark the positions of Union units. , , , , , , , , , , . Red plaques mark the positions of Confederate units. , , , , , , , , , , . Cannon mark the positions of artillery batteries. , , , , , , , , , , . Fingerboards indicate directions, locations, or landmarks. , , , , , , , , , , . Large cannonball pyramids stacked 15-high mark the spots where brigade commanders were killed. , , , , , , , , , , . Small cannonball pyramids stacked 7-high mark headquarters sites. , , , , , , , , , , . Authorized Strengths of Infantry Units. To understand the information on the plaques and monuments, it helps to know troops were organized. This chart shows theoretically how many men were in each unit; however, most units here went into battle at half-strength or less., Units were identified by numbers, states, or the names of commanders. For example, "35th Ohio Regiment" or "Longstreet's Corps." , , , , , , , , , , . Company 101 men, commanded by a Captain. , , , , , , , , , , . Regiment 10 companies, 1,046 men, commanded by a Colonel. , , , , , , , , , , . Brigade 2 or more Regiments, 2,100 men, commanded by a Brigadier General. , , , , , , , , , , . Division 2 or more Brigades, 6,000 men, commanded by a Major General. , , , , , , , , , , . Corps 2 or more Divisions, 18,000 men, commanded by a Major General. , , , , , , , , , , . Selected Terms Used on Plaques. Battery, A grouping of cannon, usually four or six. Casualties, Soldiers wounded, killed, or missing in action. Those captured are sometimes included. Enfilade, To fire at an enemy line from an angle rather than from the front. This type of fire was especially deadly. Flank, The right or left end of a line of troops. Oblique, A direction diagonal to the line of battle. Skirmish, A fight between small numbers of troops. A minor or preliminary engagement. Vedettes, Sentries or pickets posted to report on enemy movements.

Battlefield plaques
document troop positions and
movements
On August 19, 1890, the U.S. Congress established the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park for the purpose of "preserving and suitably marking for historical and professional military study the fields of some of the most remarkable maneuvers and most brilliant fighting in the war of the rebellion...."

The three park commissioners, all veterans of Chickamauga or Chattanooga, placed hundreds of cast-iron plaques and other markers on the battlefields in the early 1890s. Each plaque identifies the location of a particular army, corps, division, brigade, or artillery battery at a specific time. The plaques also describe military actions.

Hundreds of veterans contributed information for the plaques, and retraced their steps to determine the exact locations of their units. Today the plaques remain valuable tools for those who seek to understand in detail how these complex battles were fought.

Types of Plaques: Today you will find several types of historic plaques and markers on the Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields.
—————————— Blue plaques mark the positions of Union

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units.
—————————— Red plaques mark the positions of Confederate units.
—————————— Cannon mark the positions of artillery batteries.
—————————— Fingerboards indicate directions, locations, or landmarks.
—————————— Large cannonball pyramids stacked 15-high mark the spots where brigade commanders were killed.
—————————— Small cannonball pyramids stacked 7-high mark headquarters sites.
——————————
Authorized Strengths of
Infantry Units
To understand the information on the plaques and monuments, it helps to know troops were organized. This chart shows theoretically how many men were in each unit; however, most units here went into battle at half-strength or less.

Units were identified by numbers, states, or the names of commanders. For example, "35th Ohio Regiment" or "Longstreet's Corps."
—————————— Company

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014

2. Historic Plaques and Markers Marker

Featured marker is the panel marker on the left.

101 men, commanded by a Captain.
—————————— Regiment 10 companies, 1,046 men, commanded by a Colonel.
—————————— Brigade 2 or more Regiments, 2,100 men, commanded by a Brigadier General.
—————————— Division 2 or more Brigades, 6,000 men, commanded by a Major General.
—————————— Corps 2 or more Divisions, 18,000 men, commanded by a Major General.
——————————
Selected Terms Used on Plaques
Battery, A grouping of cannon, usually four or six.
Casualties, Soldiers wounded, killed, or missing in action. Those captured are sometimes included.
Enfilade, To fire at an enemy line from an angle rather than from the front. This type of fire was especially deadly.
Flank, The right or left end of a line of troops.
Oblique, A direction diagonal to the line of battle.
Skirmish, A fight between small numbers of troops. A minor or preliminary engagement.
Vedettes,

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014

3. Historic Plaques and Markers Marker

A close-up view of the "type of plaques" section of the marker that displays examples of the different types of plaques.

Sentries or pickets posted to report on enemy movements.

Erected by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 34° 56.416′ N, 85° 15.588′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Catoosa County. Marker can be reached from Lafayette Road south of Post Road. This historical marker is located in the national park that preserves the site of the Chickamauga Battlefield, along the western side of the LaFayette Road. This particular historical marker is situated very near the northern Lafayette Road entrance to the National Park, at the Visitor Center, being situated just to the right of the Visitor Center's parking lot entrance doorway. 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. Battlefield Monuments (here, next to this marker); Field Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Chickamauga (within shouting distance of this marker); 12 - Pounder Mountain Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014

4. Historic Plaques and Markers Marker

A close-up view of the "Infantry Units" section of the marker that displays examples of the different types of infantry units and their troop strength.

The Battle of Chickamauga (within shouting distance of this marker); Turchin's Brigade. (within shouting distance of this marker); 11th Ohio Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014

5. Historic Plaques and Markers Marker

View of the historical marker, looking east, along the Visitor Center's walkway.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014

6. Historic Plaques and Markers Marker

View of he historical marker looking west, towards the parking lot side main entrance to the park's Visitor Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 632 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.