Chickamauga

Western ACW Books

The Battle of Chickamauga was a crushing defeat for William Starke Rosecrans and his Army of the Cunmberland. At the same time, it was also an unfulfilled victory for Bragg and his Confederate Army of Tennessee (including two divisions of Longstreet's Corps from the Army of Northern Virginia). From the Union Cavalry's delaying actions at Alexander's Bridge, to the vicious and confused fighting in the forests on Day 1, and finally to Thomas' heroic last stand on Horseshoe Ridge, Chickamauga had a ton of drama. You had Wood's Division pulling out of the Union line and opening a gap right where Longstreet's veterans were poised to strike. There was Rosecrans fleeing the battle and losing his reputation while "Pap" Thomas stood firm. And finally and most unfortunately for the Confederate cause there were Bragg's subordinates urging him to push forward after the fight and complete an overwhelming victory, while the comander himself dawdled and eventually lost a golden opportunity.

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Comments

This Terrible Sound: The Battle of Chickamauga

 

Peter Cozzens
Peter Cozzens is one of my favorite western authors. I consider this to be the definitive work on the battle of Chickamauga. There are many, many detailed maps. Typically every single regiment is depicted when known. I hadn't really read much literature coming in when I picked up this book to read it the first time. After I had finished, I felt like I had a very good grasp of what had happened on the banks of Chickamauga Creek. 675 pp., 25 maps

Chickamauga 1863: The River of Death

James R. Arnold

This is the same James Arnold who wrote the best one-volume work on Vicksburg I have ever read. Mr. Arnold is a solid writer, and he brings a lot to your typical Osprey "Classic Battles" volume. The colorful maps are again present, along with complete OOB's and my favorite, the "Wargaming Chickamauga" section at the back. 96 pp., 10 maps

Chickamauga & Chattanooga: Battles for the Confederate Heartland (Civil War Regiments, Volume Seven, Number 1)

Various Authors
This is another of Savas' fine "Civil War Regiments" journals. As usual, it is in essay format, and the essays are very good. The sole Brigade of U.S. Regulars out west get their due, as do the 2nd Georgia Battalion of Sharpshooters. The Battles of Miisionary Ridge and Tunnel Hill are also examined in detail. NOTE: I've included this book in the Chattanooga section also. 184 pp., 11 maps