Near Fort Oglethorpe in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rout of the Union Right
| | Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park | |
Photographed by David Graff, September 14, 1999
1. Rout of the Union Right Marker
Panic-stricken Union soldiers ran from the battlefield
At 11:10 a.m. on September 20, Confederate forces under Gen. James Longstreet broke through the right side of the Union line about Ό-mile behind you at the Brotherton Cabin. Union soldiers behind the shattered line broke ranks and ran, as Gen. Bushrod Johnson΄s Confederates burst out of the woods behind you.
On the hill in front of you stood the headquarters of Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, the Union commander. A pyramid of cannonballs marks the spot today. Realizing that disaster had struck, Rosecrans told his staff to save themselves, then fled with several of his top officers. It was one of the most disastrous routs of the war.
The highest ranking Union officer left on the field was Maj. Gen. George S. Thomas. The task fell to him to save the Union Army from annihilation.
(captions)
Union commander Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans (pointing with binoculars) observes waves of Confederate infantry emerging from the woods to attack his dissolving line. Rosecrans was located on the hill in front of you. The onslaught overwhelmed the Federals, many of whom dropped their weapons and ran.
At midday on the second day of battle, a massive Confederate attack shattered the Union right. Demoralized Union
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Erected by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1863.
Location. 34° 54.94′ N, 85° 15.964′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Walker County. It is on Glenn-Kelly Road half a mile north of Vittletoe-Chickamauga Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is across the road from a parking pulloff for about six cars. The marker looks out toward a large open field surrounded by forest. 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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: Battery G, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battery G, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery M, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); 88th Indiana Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stewart's Division (about 500 feet away); 42nd Indiana Infantry (about 500 feet away); J. Beatty's Brigade (about 500 feet away); 19th Illinois Infantry (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, February 7, 2009
2. Rout of the Union Right Marker Map
Photographed by David Graff, September 14, 1999
3. Rosecrans' Headquarters
Rosecrans' Headquarters is marked by a pyramid of cannonballs at the distant treeline in line with the edge of the marker. See photo #3.
Photographed by David Graff, September 15, 1999
4. Rosecrans' Headquarters Zoom
In this zoom shot, Rosecrans' Headquarters pyramid is under some trees to the left of the stone monument.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 807 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2026, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2. submitted on August 19, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
