The Other Rock of Chickamauga
Most people associate the nickname “Rock of Chickamauga” with Union Major General George H. Thomas. But the name also stuck to one of his subordinate units, the 19th U.S. Infantry, which held the Union far left at Kelly Field during the battle. The 19th’s crest clearly displays the nickname, plus a rock atop the shield itself. Here is the explanation from the Army Institute of Heraldry:
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/ArmyDUISSICOA/ArmyHeraldryUnit.aspx?u=6690
The 19th later served in the 24th Infantry Division, carrying the legacy of Chickamauga to New Guinea, the Philippines and Korea, earning three U.S., one Philippine, and two Korean Presidential Unit Citations.
Today the 19th is the training regiment at Fort Benning, GA, molding the next generation of U.S. Army infantry soldiers.
Yes, General Thomas was lucky to have a brigade of regulars in the XIV Corps. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Division was commanded by Brig. Gen. John King. It was a small brigade composed of only five battalions instead of the normal four regiments. Only the 1st battalion of the 19 U.S. Regiment of Infantry was part of the brigade. Of course most of the volunteer regiments also fought well those terrible days. I am looking forward to reading Lee White’s book.
-Dave
Wasn’t “The Rock of Chickamauga” also a name given the 1st Bn, 19th Inf, 25ty Inf Div.?
My father was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. They had a piece of the Rock of Chickamauga on a pedestal there. I saw it when I was in Hawaii in 1984. We have photos of it when my dad went to the 25th reunion of Pearl Harbor. Where is the rock of Chickamauga now? It was no where to be found when I visited Hawaii in 2025.