The Battle of Chickamauga was unique in terms of combat in the Civil War. This was not a chess piece battle of Generals moving men in an orderly fashion across a map. Rather, this was, as one general noted, "bushwhacking on a grand scale." For the soldiers, this tested their resolve and dedication. Should they press on into the unknown, against an unknown foe, or should they hold fast and organize? Soldiers on both sides overwhelmingly chose to press on against all odds, with no guarantees of victory or survival.
Many of us still face this decision every day. We are confronted with challenges at work, school, or at home. Do we press forward to meet those challenges, no matter the odds of success? Or do we wait and see what the future holds?Throughout the weekend of September 17-18, 2016, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga by challenging visitors to ponder this decision. Special programs will highlight stories of men who fought here and what choices they made in the face of overwhelming odds.