Chickamauga, Battle of

In the American Civil War, Confederate victory over Union forces under General William Rosecrans 19–20 September 1863 at Chickamauga Creek, north Georgia.

Rosecrans had driven the Confederates under General Braxton Bragg out of mid-Tennessee, forcing him to abandon Chattanooga and withdraw into northern Georgia where he gathered his army around Lafayette and waited for reinforcements from Virginia. Rosecrans mistakenly thought the Confederates were in a disorganized retreat and advanced. He soon discovered his error and hurriedly prepared a defensive position behind Chickamauga Creek, about 24 km/15 mi south of Chattanooga. The Confederates attacked the Union flanks 19 September, and on the following day the battle became general.

Part of the Union army was routed, but General George Thomas rallied the troops and conducted a firm defence for six hours, beating off several attacks before retiring in good order to Chattanooga. The Confederates besieged the town which was eventually relieved by the battle of Chattanooga. General Thomas was thereafter known as the ‘Rock of Chickamauga’.