Regimental Monuments
State Monument at Chickamauga Battlefield
Front view of Vermont Granite Regimental Monument erected by the State of Ohio at the East Viniard Field Battlefield area, just off Lafayette Rd- looking east- woods behind are where the Confederate advance took place- there are 26 blocks representing ammunition boxes circling the base that are inscribed: "1000 Rounds, 58 cal".
The monument is erected at the site of the bloodiest day the 26th Ohio faced during the entire war. For more information about the regiment's involvement at the Battle of Chickamauga, read Chapter IX of The 26th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry: the Groundhog Regiment, third edition.
For more information about the history of the beautiful monument, read Chapter XXIV of The 26th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry: the Groundhog Regiment, third edition.
Rear view of the Monument
looking west toward the Lafayette Road and the infamous ditch
and West Viniard Field beyond.
The inscription on the rear side of the monument reads:
"This regiment, Col. Wm H. Young commanding, occupied a position at Lee and Gordon's Mill, from the afternoon of Sept. 18,1863, till about 3:00 pm on Sept. 19, when it was ordered at double quick to this position. It went into action at this place about 4:00 p.m. and continued in action, the line alternately advancing and receding, till about 6:00 pm. Sept. 20, it first occupied a position near the Brotherton House, till about 11:00 am when it was ordered with the rest of the division to the left at double quick. While executing this movement by the flank, it was struck by the advancing enemy and forced to the ridge near Vidito place. It rallied and fought until it lost connection with the rest of the army and finally retired to Rossville. Number engaged: Commissioned Officers 23, enlisted men 354. Loss: Killed, Officers 5,enlisted men 23, Wounded: Officers 6, enlisted men 33, captured or missing 45. Aggregate 212. Most of this occurred on the 19th."
Surprisingly, the design for this beautiful monument was controversial. The veterans desired that a groundhog effigy adorn the crown of the structure. They submitted their request to the state of Ohio commissioners in charge of erecting the Ohio monuments at the newly christened military park. The commissioners denied their request, citing that a groundhog figure was not a 'war-like emblem.' The veterans appealed, but to no avail. Recently, descendant Scott Baker fulfilled their request and placed a groundhog stuffed toy on the monument!
Directions to the Monument
The monument is erected near the NE corner of the intersection of Lafayette Road and Viniard-Alexander Road in the southern section of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. There is a two-car parking space on Viniard-Alexander Road within 20 yards of the monument.
GPS Coordinates: 34.90386° N, 85.26111° W
Click the link below to locate the monument in Google Maps:
Dyer Field Monument
The monument is located in Dyer Field on the Chickamauga Battlefield approximately midway between the north and south dimension of the field, and toward the west side of the field, approximately two-thirds up the slope.
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The inscription reads:
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"26th Regiment
Ohio Infantry
Buell's Brigade
12 M
September 20
1863"
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The monument marks the final spot where the regiment attempted to make a stand at noon (meridiem) against the overwhelming Confederate onslaught after the break though at the Brotherton Field a twenty minutes earlier.
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Regiment's Dyer Field monument in foreground looking northeast. Horseshoe Ridge is just beyond the woods to the left side of the photo. Glenn-Kelly Road is off camera to the right.
Directions to the Monument
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The monument is on the western slope of the Dyer Field north of Dyer Road and west of Glenn-Kelly Road in the northwestern section of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. Park your vehicle on either road, and then it is a 5 minute hike up to the monument located in the field.
GPS Coordinates: 34.92265° N, 85.26889° W
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Click the link below to locate the monument on Google Maps: