Battle of Chickamauga

Definition

The Battle of Chickamauga was a two-day battle fought during the American Civil War in September 1863. It was a major engagement in the Western Theater, taking place in northwestern Georgia near Chattanooga, and was one of the bloodiest battles of the entire conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Battle of Chickamauga was a two-day battle fought on September 19-20, 1863, between the Union Army of the Cumberland and the Confederate Army of Tennessee.
2. The battle resulted in a tactical victory for the Confederates, but they were unable to follow up and drive the Union forces from Chattanooga, their ultimate objective.
3. The battle was the second-bloodiest of the Civil War, with over 34,000 total casualties, exceeded only by the Battle of Shiloh.
4. The battle was a turning point in the Chattanooga Campaign, as the Union forces were forced to withdraw to Chattanooga and were besieged there by the Confederates.
5. The battle is considered a key moment in the changing nature of the Civil War, as it demonstrated the increasing strength and resilience of the Union army in the Western Theater.

Review Questions

• Explain the strategic importance of the Battle of Chickamauga within the context of the Chattanooga Campaign.
  • The Battle of Chickamauga was a crucial part of the broader Chattanooga Campaign, which aimed to capture the important railroad junction of Chattanooga, Tennessee. While the Confederates technically won the battle, their failure to follow up and decisively defeat the Union forces allowed the Union to regroup and eventually capture Chattanooga, a major strategic victory that opened the way for further Union advances into the Deep South. The battle demonstrated the growing strength and resilience of the Union army in the Western Theater, even in the face of defeat, and marked a turning point in the changing nature of the Civil War.
• Analyze the factors that contributed to the high casualty rate at the Battle of Chickamauga.
  • The Battle of Chickamauga was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, with over 34,000 total casualties. Several factors contributed to this high casualty rate. Firstly, the terrain of the Chickamauga Creek valley was densely forested and difficult to maneuver, leading to chaotic and disorganized fighting. Secondly, the battle involved the clash of two large armies, the Union Army of the Cumberland and the Confederate Army of Tennessee, both of which were determined to achieve victory. Additionally, the battle featured the use of new, more powerful firearms and artillery, which inflicted heavy casualties on both sides. Finally, the two-day duration of the battle, with neither side willing to concede, resulted in a prolonged and brutal engagement that took a heavy toll on the participants.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Battle of Chickamauga on the course of the Civil War in the Western Theater.
  • The Battle of Chickamauga, while a tactical victory for the Confederates, ultimately had a significant negative impact on their efforts in the Western Theater of the Civil War. The Union's failure to decisively defeat the Confederates at Chickamauga allowed the Confederates to lay siege to Chattanooga, a crucial Union stronghold. However, the Union's resilience and the growing strength of the Army of the Cumberland enabled them to eventually break the siege and capture Chattanooga, a major strategic victory that opened the way for further Union advances into the Deep South. This marked a turning point in the war, as the Union demonstrated its ability to withstand setbacks and maintain momentum, while the Confederacy struggled to capitalize on its tactical victories. The long-term impact of Chickamauga was a gradual shift in the balance of power in the Western Theater, ultimately contributing to the Union's eventual triumph in the Civil War.

Related terms

Chattanooga Campaign:

A series of maneuvers and battles in the fall of 1863 that resulted in the Union capture of the important railroad junction of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Army of Tennessee: The primary Confederate army operating in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, commanded by General Braxton Bragg.

Army of the Cumberland: The Union army that fought in the Western Theater, including the Battle of Chickamauga, and was commanded by General William Rosecrans.