162nd Anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga Living History & Youth Programs

Living history presentations provide a unique opportunity for visitors and volunteers to experience the Battle of Chickamauga and its aftermath.

Living History and Youth Programs will take place on Saturday, September 20 and on Sunday, September 21.

 

Living historians from 1st Section portray a section of US artillery during an event at another national battlefield.

NPS

Living History Programs

This year, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park is proud to partner with 1st Section, an authentic horse-drawn artillery living history organization that is dedicated to accurately portraying the common soldier of the American Civil War.

1st Section's programs will likely be as close as one can get to the sights, sounds, and smells associated with Civil War artillery, and the park hopes visitors will set aside the time to visit Chickamauga Battlefield and particpate in these special anniversary living history programs.

A section (two cannon) of the 3rd Wisconsin Light Artillery will be the authentic unit portrayed during programs, which are scheduled to take place on appoximately the same ground over which the orignial battery engaged Confederates during the Battle of Chickamauga, from September 19-20, 1863.

Program Schedule

Saturday, September 20

• 11 am: Into the Maelstrom - The 3rd Wisconsin Battery in Viniard Field (Firing Demonstrations)

  • Location: Viniard Field (Follow the Artillery Program & Parking Signs)
  • Duration: 45-minutes
  • Overview: A park ranger will set the stage for the artillery demonstration by telling the story of the battery and its action, in the Viniard Field, on September 19, 1863.

• 2 pm: Artillery on Campaign

  • Location: Near the Wilder Brigade Monument/Recreation Field (Follow the Artillery Program & Parking Signs)
  • Duration: 30-minutes
  • Overview: Battery members will disucss the experiences of artillerists in camp, on the march, and in battle.

• 3 pm: Horses and Mules/Stable Call

  • Location: Near the Wilder Brigade Monument/Recreation Field (Follow the Artillery Program & Parking Signs)
  • Duration: 30-minutes
  • Overview: Battery members will explain the role of horses and mules during the Civil War followed by stable call.

• 4 pm: Sounds of Battle - The Bugle During the Civil War

  • Location: Near the Wilder Brigade Monument/Recreation Field (Follow the Artillery Program & Parking Signs)
  • Duration: 30-minutes
  • Overview: Battery members will explore the role of bugles during the Civil War.

Sunday, September 21

• 10 am: Holding Back the Flood - The 3rd Wisconsin Battery in Dyer Field (Firing Demonstrations)

  • Location: Dyer Field (Follow the Artillery Program & Parking Signs)
  • Duration: 45-minutes
  • Overview: A park ranger will set the stage for the artillery demonstration by explaining the battery's action in Dyer field on September 20, 1863.

 

Youth Programs

Location: Pick up booklets inside the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center

Stop by the visitor center and pick up a special Junior Ranger activity to earn a unique Junior Ranger badge available during the battle anniversary. Once completed, just bring the booklet back to the visitor center.

This year, the park is hosting a very special program focusing on Civil War artillery. Although, we have hosted artillery demonstrations in the past, we have not hosted an authentic living history organization who specializes in demonstrating Civil War artillery the way it really was - with horses!!

We hope you will not only bring your kids to particpate in our anniversary programs but that you will pick up one of our Junior Ranger Adventure booklets!