Chickamauga in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

General Joe Wheeler's Attack

Chickamauga Campaign Heritage Trail

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

1. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

Inscription. In the late morning of September 20, 1863, General Joseph Wheeler's cavalry rode north along the east side of West Chickamauga Creek to the area opposite Lee and Gordon's Mills. They arrived at that point around 3:00 p.m. Most of Wheeler's cavalrymen, dismounted, left the horses behind, and forded the creek north of the mill. "Having dismounted," a member of the 4th Tennessee Cavalry regiment wrote, "we moved down the road to the Chickamauga in column. Fording the stream near the mill, we formed a line of battle on the opposite bank in the edge of a low, level beech wood, and placing our skirmishers a short distance in front, advanced through the woods... and we swept through the woods driving the enemy before us..."

"We pursued half a mile further," the dismounted cavalryman from the 4th Tennessee regiment continued, and... drove them beyond Crawfish Spring, the field hospital of McCook and Crittenden's corps. This explained what we could not understand at the time, why we were making a fight at a point so far detached from the line of our infantry. The Federals had been driven from the line of the Chickamauga, and

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this was the only water accessible to them, and their killed and wounded on this wing of the army were brought here... When we came in sight of Crawfish Springs the immense crowd of men, tents, vehicles, etc., caused us at first to think that we had captured the whole federal army. Dead men in rail pens for protection, and wounded men in large circus tents, and scattered about over the ground, with the accustomed retinue of hospital assistants..."

General Joseph Wheeler reported his actions as follows: "I received orders to move my available [men at] once to Lee and Gordon's Mills and attack the enemy. We arrived at that place about 3 p.m., crossed the river, and vigorously assailed him. After a short time he commenced retreating in confusion. We followed as rapidly as possible, capturing about 1,000 prisoners, 20 wagons, and a large amount of arms and ordnance stores. About dark we also captured five large hospitals, with a considerable supply of medicines, camp equipage, and a great number of wounded prisoners. The pursuit was continued till two hours after nightfall, when we retired to feed our horses."

"As we passed back to

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

2. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

A close-up view of the photograph of General Joseph Wheeler that is displayed on the historical marker.

re-cross the Chickamauga," the 4th Tennessee Cavalryman continued, "the road was full of ambulances and litters bearing off the killed and wounded. Here was presented that other phase of the grim-visaged war, sickening to think about; friends and comrades dead and dying who a few hours before were full of life and soldierly enthusiasm; men with their pale, ashy countenances turned toward the skies. Such scenes dissipate the excitement the advance creates... We have seen paintings depicting the horrors of the battlefield, and which we supposed were overdrawn; but this idea was dispelled at Chickamauga, and we appreciate the fact now that the imagination cannot always do it justice."

Erected by Chickamauga Campaign Heritage Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Chickamauga Campaign Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1830.

Location. 34° 53.005′ N, 85° 16.033′ W. Marker is in Chickamauga, Georgia, in Walker County. It can be reached from Red Belt Road south of Lee-Gordon Mill Circle. This historical marker

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

3. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

View of the historical marker, situated in the center of a three panel, historical marker set.

is located on the grounds of the historic Lee-Gordon Mill, on the northern edge of the visitor's parking lot, along with two other panel, historical markers. 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 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: Crittenden's Corps at Lee and Gordon's Mills (here, next to this marker); Start of the Atlanta Campaign (here, next to this marker); Medal of Honor Heritage Trail (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Medal of Honor Heritage Trail (here, next

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

4. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

View of a visitor to the Lee-Gordon Mill, parked in front of the panel of historical markers.

to this marker); a different marker also named Medal of Honor Heritage Trail (here, next to this marker); Lee & Gordon's Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee and Gordon's Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); 3rd Confederate Georgia Cavalry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chickamauga.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

5. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

View of the panel of historical markers looking west along the driveway that leads to the gated entrance to the historic Lee-Gordon Mill.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

6. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

View of the panel of historical markers, looking east, across the visitor's parking area, towards the historic Lee-Gordon Mill.

Lee-Gordon Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

7. Lee-Gordon Mill

View of the Lee-Gordon Mill on the bank of West Chickamauga Creek.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

8. General Joe Wheeler's Attack Marker

A close-up view of a contemporary photograph of the Lee-Gordon Mill, that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

9. Lee-Gordon Mill

View of the Lee-Gordon Mill's dam and mill race.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

10. Lee-Gordon Mill

View of the Lee-Gordon Mill, looking downstream, along the West Chickamauga Creek.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 930 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 13, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.