Chickamauga in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

North and South Reunited

Historic Camp Thomas

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

1. North and South Reunited Marker

Inscription. In 1898 the Spanish-American war allowed the South to demonstrate its loyalty and honor under fire. At first, secretary of war Russell A. Alger, was concerned that Southerners would not support the war due to bitterness over losing the Civil War. He then had an absolute brilliant idea he would recruit several former Confederate generals to wear the blue uniform of the U.S. Army once again. He chose, among others, Thomas L. Rosser, Fritz Lee, and Joe Wheeler. All were commissioned as major generals of volunteers. On June 10, 1898, President McKinley appointed Rosser a brigadier general of the United States. His first task was training young cavalry recruits in a camp, designated camp, was, on the old Civil War battlefield of Chickamauga in North Georgia. General Joe Wheeler, who was still vigorous and active, assumed command of the U.S. cavalry forces in Cuba and was in field command of them San Juan Hill. It's been reported that in the heat of excitement of battle, Wheeler slipped and shouted to his men, "Hurrah! We got the damn Yankees on the run" referring to the Spanish as "Yankees."

Camp Thomas became a major staging

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

ground for the new war. In a short time there were thousands of men here many of them veterans of the Civil War, and both armies being well represented. General Rosser entertained a former federal officer who he had captured in 1863. Former Confederate General James Longstreet was a welcomed guest. The sons of both U.S. Grant and Phil Sheridan were present and both made general in their own right. When the band played the national anthem, the loudest cheers came from a Mississippi Regiment.

Dixie & Yankee Doodle
I was born "way down in "Dixie," Reared beneath the southern skies. And they didn't have to teach me every "Yankee" to despise. I was but a country youngster when I donned a suit of gray, When I shouldered my old musket, and marched forth the "Yankees" to slay.

Four long years I fought and suffered; "Dixie" was my battle cry; "Dixie" always and forever, down in "Dixie" let me die. And tonight I am down in "Dixie"; "Dixie" still so great in true; but tonight I am a peril in a uniform of blue.

And tonight the band is still playing; Tis not "Dixie" strains I hear, but the strains of "Yankee Doodle" ringing out strong

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

2. North and South Reunited Marker

Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of General Joseph Wheeler.

and sweet and clear. Long I listened to the music; by my side a comrade stands; he's a "Yank" and I´m a "Rebel," but the grasp each others´ hands.

Here are together we unite Way down South in "Dixie" stand, and my comrade whisper softly, there's no land like "Dixie´s Land."

But my eyes are filled with tear-drops, Tears that make my heart feel glad, And I whisper to my comrade: "Yankee Doodle" ain't so bad.

For more information on historic Chickamauga, please visit the Depot Museum, inquire at Town Hall or look up the homepages for the city of Chickamauga and the Chickamauga campaign trail on the Internet:
www.CityofChickamaugaGeorgia.org
and
www.ChickamaugaCampaignTrail.org.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1835.

Location. 34° 52.24′ N, 85° 17.556′ W. Marker is in Chickamauga, Georgia, in Walker County. It can be reached from Cove Road (Georgia

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

3. North and South Reunited Marker

Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of "North and South Reunited."

Route 341) south of Gordon Street. This marker cannot be seen from the roadway because it is located in a community park, at the Crawfish Springs, behind the Crawfish Springs Water Tower. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chickamauga GA 30707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sickness at Camp Thomas (here, next to this marker); The Town of Lytle (a few steps from this marker); Camp George H. Thomas (a few steps from this marker); Crawfish Spring (a few steps from this marker); 3rd Confederate Georgia Cavalry

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

4. North and South Reunited Marker

Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of General Fred Grant (Son of U.S. Grant).

(within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Georgia Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); Hospitals, Right Wing, Union Army. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Real Rock of Chickamauga (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chickamauga.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

5. North and South Reunited Marker

View of the featured marker, situated to the right of "Sickness at Camp Thomas" marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

6. North and South Reunited Marker

View of the featured marker, situated on the extreme right of a group of four markers, with the Crawfish Springs in the distant background.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014

7. North and South Reunited Marker

A distant view of the featured marker, along with several other markers, situated behind the Crawfish Springs water tower.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 738 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 27, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.