Chickamauga in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Gordon - Lee Mansion
Historic Chickamauga Georgia
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
1. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
James Lee subsequently married Gordon's daughter Elizabeth. One of the first Confederate units, that became Company D., in the 1st Georgia Infantry Regiment, was organized above Crawfish Springs. James Clark Gordon, the son of James Gordon, was elected captain and commander of the company. He stood on a large rock, accepting his command. The rock still exists by the entrance to the drive leading to the house.
James Gordon's health failed and he died in the winter of 1863. Elizabeth Lee brought her children back to be with her mother. On the morning of September 16, 1863, Federal General William S. Rosecrans took over the Gordon mansion to serve as his headquarters. Sarah Gordon, the 57 year old widow of James Gordon,
this page online
Gordon Lee, the four-year-old son of James and Elizabeth Lee, was at the Gordon House with his mother and grandmother during the battle. His constant cheerful nature made him a favorite with the federal soldiers there. In adult life, Gordon Lee liked to tell about his participation in the battle. “I was in but one battle,” he would say, “but that was the great battle of Chickamauga. I was in the Union lines at the beginning and in the Confederate lines at the end. I did not desert; but I was one of the few who stayed where they were when the Confederates advanced. Of course, no one can blame me for being annexed to the Confederacy.”
In later life Gordon Lee became a congressman and added the large columns to the front of the mansion. It was on these grounds that plans were made which resulted in the creation of the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park.
Congressman Gordon Lee and John T. Wilder established the local
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
2. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an early view of the mansion.
Dr. Green sold the property to the City of Chickamauga in 2007. The house and grounds, along with the fully restored Gordon Lee Mills forms the centerpiece for historic tourism in the local area.
Erected by Historic Chickamauga.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1895.
Location. 34° 52.286′ N, 85° 17.682′ W. Marker is in Chickamauga, Georgia, in Walker County. It can be reached from Cove Road (Georgia Route 341) south of Gordon Street. This marker is located on the grounds of Gordon Lee Mansion Park, along a driveway that goes back into the property, somewhat before you come to what use to
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
3. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of Colonel James Clark Gordon.
Regionally, this marker is in the 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: Clark Lee: Chickamauga's Black Confederate Soldier (here, next to this marker); Contributions of Enslaved African to the Area (a few steps from this marker); American Indian Occupation of the Area (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 26th Tennessee Infantry / 1st Georgia Infantry Memorial (about 500 feet away); Field Headquarters Army of the Cumberland (about 500 feet away); Hospitals, Right Wing, Union Army.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
4. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of James Lee.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
5. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
6. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Featured marker is seen on the right and a marker entitled, "Clark Lee: Chickamauga's Black Confederate Soldier," is seen on the left.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
7. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
A distant view of the marker, looking west along the driveway, with a view of one of the slave cabins in the background.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
8. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
A distant view of the marker, looking east along the driveway, with the front grounds of the property, that run along Cove Road, seen in the distant background.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
9. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
A very distant view of the marker, looking west along the property's driveway, from the front of the park grounds, near Cove Road.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
10. The Gordon - Lee Mansion
View of the southeast side of the Gordon - Lee Mansion as seen from near the front of a slave cabin.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
11. The Gordon - Lee Mansion
View of the front of the Gordon - Lee Mansion (seen on right side of picture) as seen from the grounds driveway.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
12. The Gordon - Lee Mansion
Close-up view of the front steps and front door of the Gordon - Lee Mansion.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
13. The Gordon - Lee Mansion
View of the grounds of the Gordon - Lee Mansion, as seen from the front entrance to the mansion.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
14. The Gordon - Lee Mansion
View of the front of the Gordon - Lee Mansion, as seen from the front grounds of the property.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
15. The Gordon - Lee Mansion
A painting of what an artist envisioned the grounds of the Gordon - Lee Mansion looking like when occupied by elements of the Union Army.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 19, 2014
16. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Close-up of a marker for the Gordon - Lee Mansion showing the hours that it is open for tours and indicating that it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, September 26, 2015
17. The Gordon - Lee Mansion Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,473 times since then and 129 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. submitted on April 27, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 17. submitted on September 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
