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

Mix-up in the Union Command

An unwise order created a perilous gap in the Union line

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

1. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

Inscription. Shortly before 11:00 a.m. on September 20, Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, the Union commander, received an erroneous report that Brig. Gen. John M. Brannan's division was out of position, which would have created a gap in the Union battle line. In fact, Brannan's men were concealed in the woods behind you - right where they should have been. Brannan's line is marked along this road today by monuments and cannon.

In a move to close the supposed gap, Rosecrans dispatched an order to Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood to move to the left to support Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds. Wood, who had been harshly reprimanded earlier that day for failing to obey orders promptly, did as he was commanded.

The departure of Wood's division opened a real gap in the Union battle line about 1/4-mile south of here (to your right). Meanwhile, Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet prepared a massive attack that would hit the Union line at that vulnerable point.

Erected by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1836.

Location. 34° 55.331′ N, 85° 15.728′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia,

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in Catoosa County. Marker is on Poe Road south of Lafayette Road, on the left when traveling south. This historical marker is located in the national park that preserves the site of the Chickamauga Battlefield, along the east side of the national park's battlefield tour roadway called Poe Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Oglethorpe GA 30742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 31st Ohio Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 14th Ohio Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery D, 1st Michigan Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Connell's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Brannan's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); 17th Ohio Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery C, 1st Ohio Light Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Chickamauga. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on May 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

2. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. This is a link to information provided by the National Park Service. (Submitted on May 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

2. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

Close-up view of the map displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

3. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

Close up view of the orders from General Rosecrans, given to General Wood.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 7, 2014

4. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of the pictures of the two main figures that were involved in the tragic "Mix-up in the Union Command," William S. Rosecrans and Thomas J. Wood.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

5. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

View of the historical marker, at stop #3 on the Chickamauga Battlefield tour, looking south along Poe Road.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

6. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

View of the historical marker, looking east, towards what were the Confederate lines, with a distant view of the Georgia Memorial Monument.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 31, 2012

7. Mix-up in the Union Command Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 874 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on May 7, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 30, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.