Battle of Chickamauga - National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

The Battle of Chickamauga, fought from September 18 – 20, 1863 between Union and Confederate forces in the American Civil War, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia. It was the first major battle of the war fought in Georgia, the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater and involved the second-highest number of casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg.

The battle was fought between the Army of the Cumberland under Major General William Rosecrans and the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg, and was named for Chickamauga Creek, which meanders near the battle area in northwest Georgia.

William J. Carson

Rank: Musician

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company E, 1st Battalion, 15th U.S. Infantry

Born: August 30, 1840, Washington County, Pennsylvania

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19, 1863

Citation: At a critical stage in the battle when the 14th Corps lines were wavering and in disorder, he on his own initiative bugled “to the colors” amid the 18th U.S. Infantry who formed by him and held the enemy. Within a few minutes he repeated his action amid the wavering 2d Ohio Infantry. This bugling deceived the enemy who believed reinforcements had arrived. Thus, they delayed their attack.

Orville T. Chamberlain

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company G, 74th Indiana Infantry

Born: September 1, 1841, Leesburgh, Indiana

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863

Citation: While exposed to a galling fire, he went in search of another regiment, found its location, procured ammunition from the men thereof, and returned with the ammunition to his own company.

Clinton A. Cilley

Rank: Captain

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company C, 2d Minnesota Infantry

Born: February 16, 1837 Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863

Citation: Seized the colors of a retreating regiment and led it into the thick of the attack.

George S. Myers

Rank: Private

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company F, 101st Ohio Infantry

Born: Fairfield, Ohio

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19, 1863

Citation: Saved the regimental colors by greatest personal devotion and bravery.

Horace Porter

Rank: Captain

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Ordinance Department

Born: April 15, 1837, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863

Citation: While acting as a volunteer aide at a critical moment when the lines were broken, he rallied enough fugitives to hold the ground under heavy fire long enough to effect the escape of wagon trains and batteries.

Axel H. Reed

Rank: Sergeant

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company K, 2d Minnesota Infantry

Born: March 13, 1835, Hartford, Maine

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19, 1863; At Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, November 25, 1863

Citation: While in arrest at Chickamauga, Ga., left his place in the rear and voluntarily went to the line of battle, secured a rifle, and fought gallantly during the 2-day battle; was released from arrest in recognition of his bravery. At Missionary Ridge commanded his company and gallantly led it, being among the first to enter the enemy’s works; was severely wounded, losing an arm, but declined a discharge and remained in active service to the end of the war.

William E. Richey

Rank: Corporal

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company A, 15th Ohio Cavalry

Born: June 1, 1841, Athens County, Ohio

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19, 1863

Citation: While on the extreme front, between the lines of the combatants single-handed he captured a Confederate major who was armed and mounted.

Anthony Taylor

Rank: First Lieutenant

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company A, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Born: October 11, 1837, Burlington, New Jersey

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863

Citation: Held out to the last with a small force against the advance of superior numbers of the enemy.

William G. Whitney

Rank: Sergeant

Organization: U.S. Army

Company: Company B

Born: December 13, 1840, Allen, Michigan

Place/Date: At Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863

Citation: As the enemy were about to charge, this officer went outside the temporary Union works among the dead and wounded enemy and at great exposure to himself cut off and removed their cartridge boxes, bringing the same within the Union lines, the ammunition being used with good effect in again repulsing the attack.