Orchard Knob in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Willich's Brigade
Wood's Division - Granger's Corps.
— Brig. Gen. August Willich. —
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 7, 2011
1. Willich's Brigade. Marker
Willich's Brigade.
Wood's Division - Granger's Corps.
Brig. Gen. August Willich.
Nov. 23, 1863.
25th Illinois - Col. Richard H. Nodine.
35th Illinois - Lieut. Col. William P. Chandler.
89th Illinois - Lieut. Col. William D.Williams.
32nd Indiana - Lieut. Col. Frank Erdelmeyer.
68th Indiana - Lieut. Col. Harvey J. Espy.
68th Indiana - Capt. Richard L. Leeson.
8th Kansas - Col. John A. Martin.
15th Ohio - Lieut. Col. Frank Askew.
49th Ohio - Maj. Samuel F. Gray.
15th Wisconsin - Capt. John A. Gordon.
Bridges' (Illinois) Battery - Capt. Lyman Bridges
This brigade, with Hazen's on its right, and S. Beatty's on its left rear, advanced from in front of Fort Wood directly on Orchard Knob during the afternoon of Nov. 23d. It captured the knob which was occupied as a fortified outpost, while Hazen's Brigade carried the ridge to the south of it. During the night of the 23d strong double lines of infantry entrenchments were constructed. The brigade held the entire knob throughout the 24th and the 25th up to 3:15 p.m. The hour of the general advance against Missionary Ridge. The present works indicate the position of the brigade line.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Orchard Knob Reservation, and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park: November 23, 1863 series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 25, 1863.
Location. 35° 2.376′ N, 85° 16.419′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Orchard Knob. Marker can be reached from Orchard Knob Avenue north of Ivy Street, on the left when traveling north. This historical marker is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood, in the city of Chattanooga, a little less than a mile west of Missionary Ridge. It is situated on the crest of the Orchard Knob Reservation, National Military Park and is positioned at the end of the pathway that leads to the crest of the hill from the park entrance at the corner of Ivy Street and Orchard Knob Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bridges' Battery, Illinois Light Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Illinois State Monument (a few steps from this marker); Field Headquarters of the Union Armies
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 7, 2011
2. Willich's Brigade. Marker
View looking west, from the backside of the historical marker,towards the entrenchments about Bridges' Battery and the Illinois and Maryland Memorial Monuments that are situated at the top of Orchard Knob.
Regarding Willich's Brigade. While this tablet identifies both the location and role played during the military action of this particular Brigade, as well as listing the regimental units that make up this Brigade, not all of its listed regiments have individual markers and/or tablets for the park visitor to view. So of the regiments listed for Willich's Brigade, all of them except for the 68th Indiana have either a marker or a tablet for visitors to view. In explaining this, the NPS staff state the following,
"There is no indication that there ever were bronze tablets (for this unit)...the answer to that question is probably another that would have to be addressed to whatever records survive
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 7, 2011
3. Willich's Brigade. Marker
View looking east of what is left of the entrenchments along the crest of Orchard Knob that were used by Willich's Brigade, with a distant view of Missionary Ridge.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Use this link to see the Regimental markers, tablets, and/or monuments for this Brigade (except for the 68th Indiana which never had a marker or tablet).
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2017
4. Willich's Brigade Marker
View of page 140 from the National Park Service’s record book on the Chattanooga - Chickamauga ”MT-numbered” listings of classified structures, which is kept in the Chickamauga Battlefield Park's Visitor Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 12, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
