CHICKAMAUGA, BATTLE One of the most hotly contested battles of the Civil War, sometimes (-ailed 'the Great Battle of the West.' It was fomdtt September 19 and 20, 186:3, near Chickamauga Creek. about 12 miles east of Chat tanooga. Tenn., between a Fetleral artily of 55.001), under General Roseerans (q.v.), and a Confederate army of 70.0m), under General Bragg (q.v.). Alampuvred out of Chattanooga (September Q,) by the brilliant strategy of Rose eranS, Bragg had started in apparent retreat toward the smith, and had been followed by Rose crafts, whose troops, forced to cross the moun tains at widely separated points, were scattered over a great extent of territory. Soon perceiv ing that the Confederate retreat only ap parent, and fearing an attack in detail. Pose cram: rapidly concentrated his forces, and, by shifting Thomas to the extreme left (September IS), thwarted an attempt by Bragg to attain his rear and shut him off from Chattanooga. t 9 A.A1. on the 19th the battle began with a fierce attack by the Confederate right. under General 11/4/1k, on the Federal left ; but Thomas held his ground, and the day ended without decisive ad vantage to either side. The fighting was re newed early on the 201li, and was proceeding w i t va rying fortune, when, in pursuance of a misin terpreted 0 r (1 e r from Itosecrans. a division was with drawn from the Federal right. This
made a gap in the line of battle through which Longstreet. e o m mantling the CI)11 federate left, poured his troops, routing the Federal right and centre (under Mc Cook and ('ritten den respectively), and driving them in wild disorder back toward Chattanooga. The whole Confederate army was now massed against the Federal left but Thomas stood firm against tremendous odds throughout the day, gallantly repulsing attack after attack, and inflicting great damage on the enemy. Ilis remarkable courage and skillful generalship alone saved the Whole Federal army front meeting with an overwhelming defeat, and earned fur hint the title of "ri“. Rock of Chicka mauga.' During the night. under orders from ttose•rans, he retired to Rossville, and on the 21st withdrew behind the fortifications of Chat tanooga. The Federal army lust 16.179 in killed, AVOUnded_ and missing: the Confederate, about 17,800. Though the batik was won by Bragg, Chattanooga, the prize for which it was fought. remained in the possession of Iloseerans. ('on suit: Records\ Vol. XXX. (Washing ton) Cist, The Army of the Cumb(rIond (New York. 1S52) : and Johnson and Buel (editors). Botibs and LumIcrs Of au Thar (4 volt,., New York. 188,7).