Chickamauga annd Chattanooga National Military Park

On our way to Hannibal, for Thanksgiving, Hubby and I made some time for a little sightseeing.  Our first stop was our nations oldest, and largest, national military and historical park.  The huge battlefield actually straddles the borders of Tennessee and Georgia.   On these fields and hills, in the fall of 1863, Federal and Confederate armies fought one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles.

We began our tour at the Visitor's Center where they offer a 23-minute film about  the battle and many other exhibits.

Hubby was just drawn to the 346 weapons on display.  I was drawn to the gift store.  Hubby is holding my purchases.  However, I can't show you what they were since they are Christmas gifts for the grandsons!

Soon, we were driving the seven-mile auto route of the major points of interest in the battle. 

Most of the battlefields' 1,400 monuments and historical markers were  planned and placed by veterans of the battle.

No deer hunting in these woods!

Maggie enjoyed walking on the hiking trails and among the monuments.  The many cannonball pyramids mark where officers fell.

Cannons are displayed all over the battlefield.

Some monuments are huge......

.....and some remind us of the human toll.  This is the Brotherton Cabin.  As fighting started around this farmhouse, the family took refuge in a ravine with other local families.   When the family emerged from hiding they found a couple of their milk cows had survived the intense fighting.  The family intended to give the milk to the other people still in hiding, but when they saw the sick and wounded soldiers they gave the milk to them instead.

This monument stands on the site of 23-year-old widow Eliza Glenn's house which served as Confederate General Rosecrans' headquarters - until it was destroyed.

Civilians became part of the war whether they wanted to or not.  The Snodgrass Family also hid in a ravine while fighting raged around their home only to find their house used as a field hospital after it was over.

Confederate casualties were 18,000 (killed, wounded, or missing) of the 66,000 men engaged.  Union casualties were 16,000 of the 58,000 men engaged.  The South claimed victory at first, but then advancing Union troops pushed the Confederate line to back into Georgia.  This beautiful park is a truly sobering reminder of all that we have to be thankful for in this great nation!

Next week:  The Hermitage - President Andrew Jackson's mansion and plantation.