Fort Oglethorpe in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Confederate Breakthrough
A sledge hammer-like Confederate attack smashed the Union line
The decisive event of the Battle of Chickamauga occurred here on September 20, the second day of the battle. At 11:10 a.m., just after the last of General Wood´s Union division had pulled out of line behind you — and before other Federal units moved north to fill the gap — the Confederate army struck.
Eight brigades (about 11,000 men) of Longstreet's Confederate left wing swept across the La Fayette Road in front of you and charged a thin line of Federal skirmishers just behind you the edge of the woods. The attack surprise the Federal divisions of Wood, Davis, and Sheridan who were in motion and unprepared to fight.
So overwhelming was the assault that nearly one-third of the Union army was driven from the field, including its commander General Rosecrans. Remnants of shattered Federal units tried to check the Confederate advance, but without success. The Confederates now had an opportunity to surround and destroy the Union army.
(captions)
(center) Confederates charge across the open fields around the Brotherton Cabin to assault the weakened Federal position behind you.
(top right) Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, C.S.A.
Longstreet, commander of the left wing of the Confederate army, engineered the attack.
(top right) Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson, C.S.A.
Johnson's Division spearheaded the Confederate breakthrough here at the Brotherton Cabin.
At 11:00 a.m. on the second day of the battle, Confederates of Gen. James Longstreet's wing led by Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson pierced the Union line at the Brotherton Cabin.
Erected by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1876.
Location. 34° 55.062′ N, 85° 15.672′ W. Marker is in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Catoosa County. Marker is at the intersection of Dyer Road and Lafayette Raod, on the left when traveling west on Dyer Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chickamauga GA 30707, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bledsoe's C.S.A. Missouri Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Left Wing - Army of Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker); Culpeper’s South Carolina Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Gregg's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); War Comes to the Brothertons (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); S. Beatty's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Buckner's Corps (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.
Also see . . . Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on August 20, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.