Chickamauga. Useless, Disastrous Battle

"Chickamauga. Useless, Disastrous Battle" by Smith D. Atkins is a historical account presented in the form of a talk delivered in the early 20th century, specifically in 1907. This book provides an analysis and personal reflections on the Battle of Chickamauga, an important military engagement during the American Civil War. Atkins, a soldier who participated in the battle, shares insights on the campaign, the strategic decisions made, and the consequences of those decisions. In this narrative, Atkins recounts his experiences and observations as a colonel in the Ninety-Second Illinois Volunteers during the events leading up to Chickamauga, emphasizing what he perceives as the avoidable nature of the battle. He argues that General Rosecrans had the opportunity to secure Chattanooga without engaging in a costly fight that resulted in significant loss of life for the Union forces. The book conveys Atkins’ belief that miscalculations and missed opportunities in leadership led to a disastrous outcome, one that could have been prevented had decisions been made differently. Through his reflections, the author honors the bravery and sacrifices of the volunteer soldiers while criticizing military leadership and tactics of the time.