The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
A CHICKAMAUdA PARK.
From the New York Times.

The gathering of officers, Union and
Confederate, on the field OF Chickamauga
is not only OF interest, but OF much his
torical importance. Probably no battle OF
equal magnitude in the civil war is less
understood in its details. During the two
days-Scptember 10 and 20, 1S63-the
Union losses In killed and wounded, ac-
cording TO Col. Phisterer, amounted TO TO-
00O, and tho prisoners and missing brought
tho total to 1881, while the same author
ity put the Confederate losses at II, S0i, OF
which number about 10000 must have
been killed or wounded. There are other
estimates that place the loss on
each side higher. 1t takes rank, there.
fore, among the great battles OF
tho war. Yet not little in regard to its
conduct is obscure, and 1t was largely be-
cause OF the still prevailing doubts and
disputes that the War Department assigned
certain officers Of the regular army to visit
the scene OF the conflict. They were
joined by many distinguished soldiers who
had fought at Chickamauga on ono side OF
the other, and these competent witnesses
have been engaged in ca refully tracing out
tho original lines OF battle, marking the
movements OF troops, and, in short, per-
forming much the same sort OF work oil
identification that has been performed at
Gettysburg.
disputes OF different sort which have
Il. -. II. IA i.
battle which has provoked much criticism.
Tho Comic do Paris, for example, finds
fault with Bragg for slo Hncss and obstInacy
or blindness 10 facts, and with Rosecrans
for quitting the field and prematurely Civ.
ing up the battle. lilo criticises Polk for
want OF method in his attacks, and mentions
several Union commanders who appear to
much less advantage on this field than
usual. But whatever the shortcomings OF
the latter. they only set oil tho splendid
soldcrship OF Thomas, always greatest in
supreme exigoncies IL was lac who saved
a Union defeat from becoming prodigious
disaster, and well won the name OF "Rock
Of Chickamauga." OF course, the present
examinations OF the ground would be
worse than yaluCloss II nQt-eoHdGctcd In
the interest anl with tlfc spirit Of absolute
NAhNbllAA NNtAAls hANNNNtI
may be marrcd thereby.
But the proposal now made 10 Secure
the entire field for a National park, COM
prising about twelve square miles, in
wolves other considerations. There is
attractive, no doubt. in such
project for the West, but the question will
arise whether Chicknmanga Is exactly the
best selection for such a commemorative
IL -. 1s.lr
that element OF dcCisivoncss which some.
other great engagements not yet 80 COM
mcmOratod possess. Iactically IL was a
Union defeat, yet Il did not pre-
vent tho campaign OF Rosocrans from
reaching its original objective. The OBJ
iect Of that campaign was the possession
Of Chattanooga, aud into this place the
Union army foil back although 80 weak
encd by It's defeat rs 10 be shortly after
ward hcsicgcd In the mountain stronghold
II had sought Another battle became
necessary Ia that same region, aud this
resulted In Granite victory at Mission
AIRY Ridge. In tho ease Of Gettysburg
there were peculiar reasons why tho
battlefield should he made public prop
eriy. The magnitude Of the issues depend
ing on IL, the dccisiycncss OF the result,
NlN Ntll lAtt wat " WIS Ano ulgu-Mutcr
mark Of Confederate armed aggression,
combine 90 give II a special character.
Then the skill and valor with which Il was
fought out on both sides make IL
really field for yiclors aud van
pushed alike 10 be proud OF. Chicka-
manga can hardly DO considered the
Gettysburg Of the West. la point OF ag-
grcyato losses II was surpassed by Muir
frccsborough, and u was 40 little decisive
~ TO DO Immediately followed by supple
mcntary operations eliminating at Mis-
sionary Ridge. still. Il has certain adj
vantagcs for tho present scheme, and
whatever may bo the view taken Of the
propricty OF selecting this sight Tor tho
battlefield park OF the West, honest and
accurate typographical work done there
will be OF great historical value