Prelude to Chickamauga: The Opening Movements

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

 

Federal Soldiers maneuver near Chattanooga during the 150th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Chickamauga.  Photo by Capt. William Carraway

Situation in the West

Where May 1863 saw the apogee of Confederate hopes with an improbable victory at Chancellorsville, July represented a stunning reversal and a resurgence of Northern fortunes. In addition to General Robert E. Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg, Federal forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had forced the capitulation of Vicksburg, Mississippi effectively dividing the Confederacy in two.

Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Federal Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans was about to achieve a strategic victory of maneuver against his old foe Confederate Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg and his Army of Tennessee. In January, Rosecrans had fought Bragg to a standstill in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and forced the southern army to retreat to Tullahoma.[1] Remaining in Murfreesboro for six months, Rosecrans rebuilt his army before launching his Tullahoma Campaign to drive Bragg from his strong defensive positions. In early July, Rosecrans sent his three army corps on separate routes of march flanking Bragg from his lines and forcing him to retreat to Chattanooga. The campaign was nearly bloodless and a brilliant study in maneuver. But Rosecrans was set on driving Bragg completely out of Tennessee. To that end, he set his sights on Chattanooga, a vital rail hub key to the launching of operations into the deep south.

Approaches to Chattanooga

Anyone who has driven north through Monteagle, Tenn. is familiar with the Cumberland Plateau. It rises sharply, dividing Chattanooga from the rich farmland of middle Tennessee. This terrain feature provided Rosecrans with a significant challenge. He would have to cross the plateau with an army and all its supply wagons. Moreover, once across the plateau, he would be vulnerable to attack from Bragg who could isolate his elements and attack them with their backs to the mountain removing any avenue of escape. To compound his problem, Rosecrans would then have to cross the Tennessee River to approach the defensible city of Chattanooga.

Nashville, Chattanooga, And St. Louis Railway. Map of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Park. LOC

To cross the river, Rosecrans employed clever subterfuge. Sending his three corps to the west and southwest of Chattanooga, Rosecrans dispatched a diversion force of four brigades to demonstrate north of the city. While the bulk of his forces moved west screened by mountains the diversion force shelled Chattanooga by day and by night lit dozens of campfires to lend the appearance of vast numbers of encamped Soldiers. The plan worked. By early September, Rosecrans had crossed downstream and to the rear of Chattanooga.[2] Through deception, Rosecrans had brought his Army within striking distance of Chattanooga, traversing both mountain and river utterly uncontested. As with Tullahoma, Bragg found himself outmaneuvered with the enemy threatening his communications and his route of escape.

Cannons guard the formidable approaches to Chattanooga. Photo by Capt. William Carraway

Bragg Retreats

Alarmed by the developments and hoping to reverse the setbacks of the summer of 1863, Confederate President Jefferson Davis dispatched two divisions from Mississippi under Maj. Gen. John Breckenridge, a former United States vice president[3], and two divisions from the Army of Northern Virginia under command of Lt. Gen. James Longstreet[4] to bolster Bragg’s ranks. These reinforcements would prove critical to the battle of Chickamauga, but for now, Bragg was on his own. Abandoning Chattanooga, Bragg retreated to the vicinity of Lafayette, Ga. Rosecrans, exultant at the victory, began pursuit. Compelled by Washington telegraphs to pursue Bragg, Rosecrans divided his army and plunged into Georgia with 60,000 men moving along three separate avenues of approach. Nearly 6,000 would not return.

Civilian reports confirmed Rosecrans’ suspicions that Bragg was making a disorganized retreat. Crestfallen deserters confirmed the observations and convinced Rosecrans that he was moving into terrain devoid of effective enemy resistance. Ignoring the advice of Maj. Gen. George Thomas, who commanded Rosecrans’ XIV Corps, Rosecrans did not pause to consolidate and reinforce Chattanooga. Instead he dispatched his army along diverse routes with the intention of concentrating at Lafayette, Ga.

The Trap is Set

Gen. Braxton Bragg. LOC

Rather than fleeing to Atlanta, Bragg was himself concentrating forces near Lafayette, Ga. Anticipating actions, Bragg had enacted deception operations of his own sending deserters into Federal ranks with false reports of a disorganized retreat. Confederate officers primed civilians with tales of an Army on the verge of ruin with the intention of luring Rosecrans into a false sense of security. Far from the demoralized army that Rosecrans envisioned, the Army of Tennessee, swelling in size to 63,000 men, was poised to strike. Knowing that the mountains west of Lafayette canalized movement to three passes, Bragg ordered his generals to be prepared to advance upon Federal elements in the vicinity of McLemore’s Cove.

Marching into McLemore’s Cove, Soldiers of Thomas’ Corps were confronted by forces of D.H. Hill’s Corps at Davis’ Crossroads on September 10. Despite outnumbering the Federals three to one, the Confederates failed to seize the opportunity fearing that they, themselves, were outnumbered.[5] Thomas was able to withdraw the bulk of his forces before they could be destroyed in detail. Meanwhile, to the north near Graysville, Ga., Federal forces attempting to cross Pea Vine Creek were thwarted by the 6th Georgia Cavalry supported by Captain Gustave Huwald’s Tennessee Artillery Battery.[6]

After the abortive attempt by Confederates at Davis’ Crossroads and the actions along Pea Vine Creek, Rosecrans belatedly realized the peril of his position. He had sent his army in motion along separate routes of march confident that his enemy was fleeing. Instead, Bragg was numerically superior, concentrated, and in a position to seize the initiative. Recognizing the danger Rosecrans resolved to concentrate his forces along the banks of the Chickamauga River north of Lafayette. Bragg intended to give him battle before he could concentrate.

Crossing the Chickamauga

On September 18, 1863, lead elements of the Confederate Army encountered Federal resistance at Reed’s Bridge, a crossing of the Chickamauga Creek. Federal forces under Col. Robert Minty attempted to burn the bridge but were compelled to withdraw by Confederate pressure. Among the units present at Reeds Bridge was the 1^st Georgia Cavalry.[7]

Meanwhile to the south at Alexander’s Bridge, Federal Col. John Wilder’s brigade defended the river crossing with seven-shot Spencer Carbines. These weapons allowed Wilder’s Brigade to summon the firepower of two divisions worth of firepower. While Wilder was able to hold his position, Confederates secured a bridgehead across the Chickamauga at Reed’s Bridge. Unable to drive Wilder’s men from the north side of Alexander’s Bridge, Confederates managed to cross the stream nearby at Lambert’s and Bedford’s Ford.

The site of Alexander's Bridge in 2018. Photo by Maj. William Carraway

On the morning of September 19, Federal and Confederate forces faced each other in a line running roughly north to south with the Federals arrayed on the west side of the Lafayette Road. General Bragg was resolved to cut off Federal avenues of retreat while Rosecrans’ intent was to hold the Lafayette Road line to prevent the destruction of his forces. Rosecrans was committed to fighting a defensive battle. The initiative thus shifted to Bragg.

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[1] Street, James. The Struggle for Tennessee: Tupelo to Stones River. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1990., 59.

[2] Powell, David A., and David A. Friedrichs. The Maps of Chickamauga: An Atlas of the Chickamauga Campaign, including the Tullahoma Operations, June 22 - September 23, 1863. New York: Savas Beatie, 2009. 16

[3]Cozzens, Peter. This Terrible Sound: The Battle of Chickamauga. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1996, 48.

[4] Cozzens, 60.

[5] Powell, 28.

[6] Powell, 27

[7] Powell, 46

50 Years Ago This Month: Two Missing Canton, Ga. Girls Saved by Local Guard Soldiers

On Feb. 17, 1970, Georgia Army National Guard Specialist 4 Jerry Wood, 1st Sgt. Leland Bell and Gene Padgett located two girls who had been missing for three days in Canton, Ga. The Soldiers were from the Canton-based Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. Georgia Guard Archives.

By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Ga. Army National Guard

On February 15, 1970 two girls aged 2 and 3 wandered away from their homes in Canton, Ga. and became lost in nearby woods. After more than 40 hours missing, the girls were located by two Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of the home-town Guard unit.[1]

Upon receiving the report of the missing children, the Georgia Department of Defense’s Civil Defense Division, forerunner of today’s Georgia Emergency Management Division, partnered with Cherokee County authorities to coordinate the efforts of hundreds of volunteer searchers who methodically combed the designated search area.[2] While no Georgia National Guard personnel were called to active duty for search operations, members of Canton’s Company A, 1^st Battalion, 121^st Infantry Regiment volunteered to assist the search effort. Additional support came from the Atlanta-based Organizational Maintenance Shop which delivered eight radio-equipped jeeps and additional personnel.

Members of the Ga. Army National Guard's Company A, 121st Infantry Regiment who assisted in the search for two missing girls in their hometown of Canton, Ga. Feb 15 to 17, 1970. Canton resident Gene Padgett (second from right) along with Guardsmen Specialist 4 Jerry Wood and 1st Sgt. Leland Jones found the missing girls. Georgia Guard Archives

The Guard search effort was led by 1^st Lt. Carroll Edge and 1^st Sgt. Leland Bell. On February 17, Bell, Specialist 4 Jerry Wood and local resident Gene Padgett were searching a dense area of woods outside the designated search area. The men had left their jeep and were moving through the dense understory on foot. It was the third day the children had been missing and the nights had been rainy with temperatures dipping into the low 40s. Bell and his team had been assigned to search beyond a stream that bordered the search area. Initially, the authorities believed the stream would act as a barrier and that the children would not be able to cross. The men were justifiably surprised when they spotted the girls who had indeed crossed the stream. The mud-spattered girls were tired, hungry and cold, but otherwise in remarkably good health.

The Georgia Guard effort did not stop with the end of the search. The Canton Armory became the staging ground of a community effort to help the families. North Georgia residents donated food, clothing and furniture. Soon the Canton Armory was full of bedding, clothing and other gifts intended for North Georgia families in need.

On February 25, Georgia’s Governor and First Lady visited the girls and contributed $200 to funds solicited by Edge through his membership in the Canton Jaycee. Governor Maddox publicly commended Bell, Wood and Padgett and praised the efforts of searchers and rescue organizations that came together for in a search effort that captivated North Georgia.[3]

Today, Canton is home to Troop B, 1^st Squadron, 108^th Cavalry. Soldiers of the Canton unit recently returned from Afghanistan, part of their fourth overseas combat deployment since September 11, 2001.

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[1] "2 Little Girls Saved by Canton Guardsman.” The Georgia Guardsman Magazine, March, 1970, 8.

[2] Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report 1981, 3.

[3] "Gov. Maddox Visits Lost Girls’ Families.” The Georgia Guardsman Magazine, March, 1970, 9.

The Georgia Guard in Rome

By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

On February 3, 2012, the Georgia Army National Guard’s 1160^th Transportation Company was federally recognized in Rome Georgia. The 1160^th, which continues in service today, is just the latest unit of Citizen Soldiers to be welcomed by the Rome community. 

A squad Citizen Soldiers of the Rome-based Company E, 122nd Infantry Regiment secure a key intersection during training in Floyd County, Ga. 

in April 1950. Georgia Guard Archives.

The American Civil War and the Rome Light Guards

The Wheatfield at Gettysburg, The Rome Light Guards moved

across this field on July 2, 1863. Photo by Maj. William Carraway

In June 1861, the Rome Light Guards assembled as Company A, 8^th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. Francis Bartow.[1] This regiment fought at the First Battle of Bull Run where Bartow, then a brigade commander was killed. Bartow County is named in his honor. Bartow’s regiment soldiered on with the Army of Northern Virginia and was engaged in the storied battles of the eastern theater of the American Civil War. The 8^th fought in the Seven Days, 2^nd Manassas, Fredericksburg, Antietam and the Wheatfield at Gettysburg where the regiment suffered fifty percent casualties.[2] The 8^th ended its Confederate service with the surrender at Appomattox Court House.[3] Out of more than 100 men who joined the Rome Light Guards only 11 remained when the 8^th Georgia surrendered at Appomattox.[4]

The Rome Light Guards were mustered back into state service June 17, 1872. The company served in the Georgia State Troops until disbanded in 1903.[5]

The Hill City Cadets and Phillip G. Byrd

Brig. Gen. Phillip G. Byrd. Georgia Guard Archives

The Hill City Cadets were organized Sept. 23, 1879 and served in the Georgia State Troops until 1907.[6] On June 8, 1891, Phillip G. Byrd became captain of the Cadets. A Rome resident, Byrd had enlisted in the Rome Light Guards upon graduating from the University of North Georgia in 1879. He served as captain of the Cadets for three years during which time he also served as editor of the Hustler of Rome, which he billed as “the only afternoon paper between Atlanta and Chattanooga.”[7]

On December 4, 1894, Byrd was appointed aide de camp to the governor of Georgia with the rank of lieutenant colonel.[8] Due to the declining health of Georgia’s adjutant general, Brig. Gen. John McIntosh Kell, Byrd was appointed assistant adjutant general Jan. 1, 1899 with the rank of colonel. Byrd served as the acting adjutant general until the death of Brig. Gen. Kell Oct. 5, 1900. General Order No. 19 issued by Governor Allen D. Candler appointed Byrd Adjutant General of the Georgia State Troops Oct. 11, 1900. Byrd’s official term as adjutant general was short lived as Governor Candler appointed James W. Robertson to succeed him Nov. 11, 1900. Byrd reverted to his previous position and rank as assistant adjutant general.


World War I

While the Georgia Guard did not have a unit stationed in Rome during World War I, Floyd County citizens still entered the ranks of Georgia Guard units. Two of them paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Private Giles Parsons and Pvt. Lonzo Stager of Rome, Ga. Georgia Guard Archives.

Giles Parsons of Rome was inducted into Company F, 328th Infantry Regiment Sept. 20, 1917 at the age of 25. He was transferred to the Georgia National Guard’s Company G, 122nd Infantry Regiment Oct. 14, 1917 and remained with the 122nd until June 1918 when he began his transfer to Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment. He fought at St. Mihiel, Blanc Monte and the Argonne. He was killed in action at Beaumont, France Nov. 4, 1918.

Lonzo L. Stager of Rome enlisted in Company, F 325th Infantry Regiment Oct. 1, 1917 and transferred to the Georgia National Guard’s Company F, 122nd Infantry Regiment Oct. 14, 1917. In June 1918, McGinnis transferred from the 122nd and was ultimately assigned to Company B, 102nd Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action in France July 22, 1918 at the age of 22.

  
Post WWII Reorganization and Return to Rome

The Georgia Guard was reorganized following World War II. The reorganization established the 48^th Infantry Division, which was comprised of units from Georgia and Florida. On May 8, 1947, the 122^nd Infantry Regiment was organized and assigned to the 48^th.[9] The 122^nd was comprised of companies in sixteen north Georgia communities. Company E of the 122^nd was assigned to Rome.

1955-2010: The Era of Armor and Cavalry

In 1955, the 48^th Infantry Division was reorganized as an armor division. This unit reorganized in 1955 as Company A, 163^rd Tank Battalion beginning a long association with armor forces in Rome.

In 1990, the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48^th Brigade was activated in anticipation of service during Desert Storm. Rome’s Company A, 108^th Armor Regiment mobilized and trained at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. but the war ended before the brigade mobilized overseas.

Company A, 108th Armor in 1991. Georgia Guard Archives.

In 2005, Rome’s Guard unit was again mobilized, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit completed combat missions in and around Baghdad before returning to the United States in 2006. In 2008, the 108th Armor converted to the 108th Cavalry. Troop A, 108th remained in Rome.

The 48^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was mobilized for service in Afghanistan in 2009 and Floyd County’s Citizen Soldiers were again called to serve in overseas combat operations. Two of them would pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Specialist Isaac Johnson and Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan. Georgia Guard Archives

Sergeant Jeffrey Jordan enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 2006. He left his job with the Floyd County Prison to mobilize with the 48^th IBCT. He was killed in action June 4, 2009 during combat operations in Kapisa, Afghanistan. The Sgt. Jeffrey W. Jordan GED Plus Complex at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark. was dedicated in his memory in 2010.

Isaac Lee Johnson enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 2005 in the Rome-based Troop A, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry. On July 6, 2009, Johnson was killed in action in Kunduz, Afghanistan. He was 24.

Upon its return from Afghanistan, Troop A, 108^th Cavalry relocated to Cedartown, Ga. Subsequently, the 1160^th Transportation Company was assigned to Rome. Since that time, the 1160^th has responded to state emergencies prompted by winter storms and hurricanes. Today, the 1160^th continues the long connection between Floyd County, Rome, and the National Guard.

 

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[1] Lyle, Thomas E., Larry O. Blair, Debra S. Lyle, and J. Harmon. Smith. Organizational Summary of Military Organizations from Georgia in the Confederate States of America. Marietta, Ga. (192 Sequoia Dr., N.E., Marietta, GA 30060-7214): T.E. Lyle, L.O. Blair, D.S. Lyle, 1999, 92.

[2] Wilkinson, Warren, and Steven E. Woodworth. A Scythe of Fire: a Civil War Story of the Eighth Georgia Infantry Regiment. New York: Perennial, 2003, 253.

[3] Sifakis, Stewart. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: South Carolina and Georgia. New York, NY: Facts on File, Pub., 1995.

[4] Southern Historical Society Papers Volume XV Paroles of the Army of Northern Virginia. Richmond, VA: The Society, 1887, 97.

[5] The Adjutant General, State of Georgia. Official Register of the National Guard of Georgia for 1916. 1916, 82.

[6] Ibid, 80.

[7] Georgia National Guard Archives. Hill City Cadets file: Correspondence of Phill G. Byrd. May 1, 1893.

[8] The Adjutant General, State of Georgia. Report of the Adjutant General of Georgia, 1900., 62

[9] The Georgia Guardsman. The 48^th Infantry Division: a condensed history of the Georgia-Florida organization. May 1950, 3.