Civil War Timeline and Special Programs
September 14-15, 2013
Commemorative Programs at Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center
Join park staff and volunteers at the park visitor center to experience various programs commemorating the Battle of Chickamauga.
Throughout the two days, living historians dressed as Union soldiers will provide artillery demonstrations near the vistor center building. The 8th Georgia Band will perform Saturday and Sunday morning, while bands from Heritage High School and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School will provide performances Sunday afternoon. Also, there will be a family education tent near the visitor center providing different hands-on activities for kids.
Inside the visitor center, visitors can tour the museum's exhibits, view the park's new 26-minute orientation film, and visit the Eastern National bookstore. If you know of a relative who participated in the battle, a special research station will be avaiable to find where your ancestor fought in 1863.
Visitor center hours are: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Parking will be located west of the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center in North McDonald Field. Special parking signs and volunteers will be available to assist visitors with parking.
For other commemorative activities, including food and drinks, visit the Fort Oglethorpe Tourism Association.
A Walk Through Time: 1860-1864
Visitors are encouraged to participate in a Civil War timeline that will take them through local experiences during this turbulant time in American history. Participants will board a bus and be transported back to 1860. From there they will follow living history scenerios all the way to 1864.
The tour begins at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center and lasts 1 hour and 50 minutes. The first bus loads at 9:00 a.m. and the last bus loads at 3:30 p.m.
Visitors may wish to bring portable chairs/stools for this program. There will be no seating along the timeline. However, it should be noted that chairs/stools will need to be carried from location to location.
Although this is a free tour, it is ticketed. Please obtain tickets before you arrive.
Click on the preferred time under the date you wish to attend. You will be taken directly to the registration site for that date and time. Please follow the directions on the website to obtain your ticket(s)
Action on Horseshoe Ridge
Throughout the day, visitors will be immersed in the occurrences that took place between these Union and Confederate troops along the slopes of the ridge in 1863.
Living historians portraying soldiers of the 21st Ohio Infantry will conduct public programs on Horseshoe Ridge.
Visitors should park at the Recreation Field in Chickamauga Battlefield and take a shuttle to Horseshoe Ridge for these special programs.
Lightning Strikes at Chickamauga: Wilder's Brigade
As the entire right wing of the Union Army of the Cumberland crumbled under the weight of the Confederates on September 20, one unit stood firm. Colonel Wilder's men, armed with the Spencer repeating rifle, stopped several thousand Southern soldiers in their tracks near Eliza Glenn's home on Chickamauga Battlefield.
Join living historians as they portray members of Wilder's "Lightning Brigade." Not only will they discuss the happenings on the battlefield, but they will demonstrate the deadly fire of the Spencer rifle.
Programs are scheduled as follows:
Visitors wishing to participate in these programs are encouraged to park at Tour Stop #6, the Wilder Brigade Monument (Tower).
Confederate Breakthrough - Walk
This program is a walking tour and will last two hours.
Program times are as follows:
Visitors are encouraged to park near Tour Stop #7. Special event signs will be in place to assist visitors in finding this parking area.