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

115th Illinois Infantry

1st Brigade-Whitaker — 1st Division-Steedman

— Reserve Corps - Granger —

115th Illinois Infantry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2010

1. 115th Illinois Infantry Marker

View of the front side of the historical marker.

Inscription. [Front Side of Marker]

Illinois
115th Infantry.
1st Brigade - Whitaker.
1st Division - Steedman.
Reserve Corps - Granger
[Reverse Side of Marker]

Commanded By
Col - Jesse H. Moore.
Sept. 20 - 1863.
2 P.M. to 6 P.M.
Loss 183.

Erected 1899 by State of Illinois. (Marker Number MT-723.)

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° 55.624′ N, 85° 16.321′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Walker County. Marker can be reached from Vittetoe Road west of Vittetoe-Chickamauga Road when traveling west. This historical marker is located in the northwest section of the Chickamauga National Military Park, near the Snodgrass Hill area of the driving tour, along the part of the battlefield known as Horseshoe Ridge, more specially on Hill #3 of Horseshoe Ridge. To view this historical marker drive to the parking area for Horseshoe Ridge (just beyond the Snodgrass Hill tour stop) and proceed westward on foot, along the southern crest of the ridge for a little more than 0.2 of a mile, to the high ground on Hill #3. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Oglethorpe GA 30742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Whitaker’s Brigade. (a few steps from this marker); 22nd Michigan Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 2nd South Carolina Infantry Regiment (a few steps from this marker); 84th Indiana Infantry Regiment (a few steps from this marker); Granger's Headquarters Shell Monument (a few steps from this marker); 40th Ohio Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 89th Ohio Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 41st Tennessee Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.

More about this marker. When revisiting the site of this historical marker on August 1, 2012, I noticed that the metal plaque on the reverse side of this monument is now missing. I would guess that it was stolen by scrappers, seeking valuable metals to sell at the local scrap metal dealers in order to obtain cash.

According to the description information provided by the National Park Service, the monument is, “7'6" x 4'4" x 4'6" high rock-faced monument consisting of rectangular granite block with an inscribed polished front on granite base. The tops of both pieces are beveled. Marks unit's position on Sept. 20, 1863, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.”

I used the "Chickamauga Battlefield" map, that I purchased at the Chickamauga

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2010

2. 115th Illinois Infantry Marker

View of the reverse side of the historical marker (which was noted as being missing on 08/01/2012).

and Chattanooga National Military Park, Visitor Center, to determine both the marker number for this monument and the monument's location in relation to the rest of the park's monuments, markers, and tablets. According to the map it provides the, "numerical listing of all monuments, markers, and tablets on the Chickamauga Battlefield (using the Chick-Chatt NMP Monument Numbering System).”

Regarding 115th Illinois Infantry. The 115th Illinois Infantry was part of the forward brigade (Whitaker's Brigade) of Steedman's Division which arrived at the Union position on Snodgrass Hill at the critical moment of the battle. When directed to provide support for the Union right flank, Steedman directed Whitaker's Brigade to rush up to crest of the ridge, arriving just in time to drive off the Confederate forces that were on the verge of flanking the beleaguered 21st OVI, situated on what had been the extreme right flank of the Union line of battle.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2010

3. 115th Illinois Infantry Marker

View of historical marker on the crest of Snodgrass Hill with a view of the historical marker for the Headquaters of the Reserve Corp, in the background.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2010

4. 115th Illinois Infantry Marker

View looking east from the historical marker along the park trail, towards the location of the 21st Ohio Infantry.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2010

5. 115th Illinois Infantry Marker

View looking south, of the Union regimental markers (including the featured historical marker on the far right), and in the center of the picture the small marker for the attacking 2nd South Carolina Regiment by the distant tree line.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012

6. 115th Illinois Infantry Marker

View of the reverse side of the historic marker where the now missing metal plaque was located.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 788 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 22, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 6. submitted on August 7, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.