163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga Hikes with Park Historian Jim Ogden

Battle Anniversary hikes with Park Historian Jim Ogden are very popular. These usually last several hours and cover several miles of terrain.

NPS

From Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20, Park Historian Jim Ogden will lead in-depth hikes and tours examining, in detail, specific actions and locations during the Battle of Chickamauga. These tours typically last approximately 90 minutes to 2-hours and usually involve a mile or more of walking through uneven terrain and across unmowed fields. Please dress appropriately, bring a water bottle, and wear sunscreen and insect repellant. Some visitors bring lightweight folding chairs, but be prepared to carry them for long distances.

All programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or staffing availability.

 

Friday, September 18

This day's hikes will focus on the events of September 18, 1863.

6 PM--“I crossed my whole brigade:” Henry Clayton’s Alabamians secure Thedford’s Ford

Directed to secure the West Chickamauga Creek crossing of Thedford’s Ford, Brigadier General Henry D. Clayton’s Alabama Brigade of Stewart’s Division would be the first to cross at this critical point on September 18, 1863. This 2½ mile, 2-hour round trip walking tour will visit the site of Thedford’s Ford and relate the story of Clayton and his Alabamians as they played their role in Bragg’s plan for the day. This program will begin on Alexander-Viniard Road at the gate leading down to Thedford’s and Hunt’s/Dalton’s Fords. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

 

Saturday, September 19

This day’s hikes will focus on the events of September 19, 1863.

8:30 AM--“The enemy could be seen upon the distant hills:” Clayton’s Alabamians form for Bragg’s Assault

Leading Stewart’s Division forward early on September 19, 1863, Henry Clayton moved his Alabamians to a position where “the enemy could be seen upon the distant hills.” This 2½ mile, 2-hour round trip walking tour will examine Clayton’s role as Bragg still strove achieve the plan of the day before. This program will begin on Alexander-Viniard Road at the gate leading down to Thedford’s and Hunt’s/Dalton’s Fords. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

11:30 AM--“The enemy opened fire upon us:” Clayton’s Alabamians Join the Fight

While admonished that he “would have to act for myself and be governed by circumstances,” Henry Clayton’s Alabamians suddenly found themselves in the growing maelstrom that was beginning to define the fighting on September 19, 1863. This 2-mile, 1½ hour walking tour will examine what for many of Clayton’s men was their first fight. This program will begin on Brotherton Road at Brock Field. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

2 PM--Beatty and Dick of Van Cleve: The Federals Clayton Struck

The Federals Clayton’s Alabamians initially struck had been hurried northward even more rapidly than Clayton’s men had. This 1½ mile, 1½ hour walking tour will look at the experience of Horatio Van Cleve’s Division when they marched into the forest east of Brotherton’s. This program will begin on Dyer Road in the little Brotherton Field. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

4:30 PM--“I again moved forward:” Clayton’s Alabamians’ Second Fight on the 19th

Reorganized after their first fight, Henry Clayton’s Alabamians moved forward again about 4 PM, picking up the push against the Union line from Bate’s Brigade. This 1½ mile, 1½ hour walking tour will follow Clayton’s Brigade as they cross to the west of the vital LaFayette Road. The program will begin on Poe Road. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

 

Sunday, September 20

This day’s hikes will focus on the events of September 20, 1863.

8:30 AM--“The brigade was moved to the right:” Clayton’s Alabamians and Overlapping Wings

Having slept on their arms overnight, orders early on September 20, 1863, moved Clayton’s Brigade, and Stewart’s Division, preparatory to an expected early resumption of the action. This 1¼ mile, 1½ hour walking tour will examine Clayton and Stewart’s early morning move, a move that will have much influence on what they will experience on the 20th. The program will begin on Battleline Road just south of the Texas Monument. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

11 AM--“The brigade pressed forward:” Clayton’s Alabamians Attack with the Division

Although in the division’s second line, Clayton’s Alabamians experienced the same “most terrible fire” as the two other brigades did once they stepped off. This 1¼ mile, 1½ hour walking tour will examine Clayton’s experience in their first action on September 20, 1863. The program will begin on Battleline Road just south of the Texas Monument. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

2 PM--Connell and Croxton of Brannan: The Federals Clayton Struck

The several morning shifts to the left actually shifted Union division commander John Brannan’s two front line brigades into a fine defensive position, which he and his men only further improved. This 1¼ mile, 1½ hour walking tour will examine the Union line Clayton’s Alabamians and Stewart’s Division attacked on the morning of September 20, 1863. The program will begin on Battleline Road just south of the Texas Monument. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.

5 PM--“The enemy fleeing in wild disorder:” Clayton’s Alabamians’ Evening Advance September 20

Orders from Longstreet to Stewart in late afternoon September 20, 1863, sent Clayton’s Brigade forward once again. This 1¼ mile, 1½ hour walking tour will examine Clayton’s late afternoon advance as shadows lengthened on that last, and now bloody, summer Sunday in 1863. The program will begin on Battleline Road just north of the Texas Monument. Follow the “Historian Hike” signs from the Visitor Center.