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

First Firing on Chickamauga Battlefield

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 19, 2012

1. First Firing on Chickamauga Battlefield Marker

Inscription. About 2 o'clock A.M., Sept. 11, 1863, Captain John J. McCook of General Crittenden's staff, left Chattanooga with an escort bearing important orders from the Commanding General to his Corps Commander, who had left at 1 o'clock to join his divisions near Ringgold. Misled by the guide, General Crittenden had continued on the Lafayette Road. Captain McCook was informed of this at Rossville by a member of the escort, and being concerned for his Commander's safety hurried on to overtake him. In the darkness and mist of the morning, he was fired on when at this position about 4 o'clock A.M. by an outpost of Forrest's cavalry. Two of the escort who had left the road on the opposite or west side, supposing they had been fired on by troops of their own corps, advanced and were captured. Captain McCook and one orderly, hearing the surrender, escaped and reported to General Crittenden, whom they found had joined his Corps by an intermediate route, or cross road. This was the first point of contact or collision on the Chickamauga battlefield, now included in the Park limits.

Erected 1890 by the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National

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Military Park Commission. (Marker Number MT-473.)

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° 57.171′ N, 85° 15.599′ W. Marker is in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Catoosa County. It is on Old Lafayette Road north of Gilbert Drive, on the left when traveling south. This historic marker is located where the Old Lafayette Road crosses a creek, and where this road runs just west and parallel to the new Lafayette Road for two blocks, and just south of Battlefield Parkway (State Route 2). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Oglethorpe GA 30742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

and specifically in the Deep South.

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

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 19, 2012

2. First Firing on Chickamauga Battlefield Marker

View of the historic marker looking north along Old Lafayette Road.

the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Forrest's Pursuit (a few steps from this marker); Reserve Corps (a few steps from this marker); Forrest's (Cavalry) Corps. (a few steps from this marker); 1st Georgia Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); 6th Georgia Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); 10th Confederate Georgia Cavalry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Armstrong's Brigade. (about 300 feet away); Hospitals, Left Wing, Union Army. (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.

Also see . . .
1. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. (Submitted on February 3, 2014.)
2. Battle of Chickamauga. (Submitted on January 31, 2014, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 19, 2012

3. First Firing on Chickamauga Battlefield Marker

View of the historic marker situated on the east side of the Old Lafayette Road, where the road crosses the creek.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 19, 2012

4. First Firing on Chickamauga Battlefield Marker

View of the historic marker looking south along Old Lafayette Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,190 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on December 29, 2012, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.