Near Fort Oglethorpe in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Armies Engage
The Battle of Chickamauga opened here at the site of Jays Sawmill
At dawn, Union Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas ordered two brigades to move eastward to this location to capture a supposedly isolated Confederate brigade. At 7:30 a.m. the Union units collided with the Confederate cavalry of Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest positioned along the edges of the field.
Forrest, surprised by the Federals, ordered his cavalry to attack, delaying the Union advance until help arrived. Then, as Confederate infantry moved in to support Forrest, additional Union units joined the fight. A major battle had begun.
Colonel John Croxton, one of the Union commanders sent to capture the “isolated” brigade, now faced four or five brigades. Amid the confusion, Croxton dispatched a note to General Thomas asking facetiously which of the Confederate brigades in his front he was supposed to capture.
Painting: Confederate cavalry charging a steady line of Union infantry captioned, "In the first action of the Battle of Chickamauga, the Confederate cavalry of Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest charged the advancing Union infantry of Croxton's Brigade. The Federals were positioned in the woods in front of you advancing in this direction."
Photograph: "Nathan Bedford Forrest, the celebrated Confederate general, commanded the cavalry who opened the Battle of Chickamauga here."
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 1896.
Location. 34° 55.736′ N, 85° 13.784′ W. Marker is near Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Catoosa County. Marker is on Jays Mill Road, 0.1 miles south of Reeds Bridge Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is north of the Brotherton Road intersection. 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. Davidson's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Polk's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Huwald's Tennessee Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Pegram's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Forrest's Cavalry Corps (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederates Cross the Creek (about 600 feet away); 4th United States Cavalry (about 600 feet away); Minty's Cavalry Brigade (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Oglethorpe.
More about this marker. Marker is in a small field near the former site of Jay's sawmill. There is a parking pulloff beside the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 923 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2. submitted on August 19, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 22, 2017, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 4. submitted on September 5, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 5, 6. submitted on August 19, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.