Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, in partnership with the Chattanooga National Cemetery, invites the public to participate in a one-hour program on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m., focusing on the creation of the national cemetery in 1863.
This is a free program and will take place in the Chattanooga National Cemetery at the Andrews Raiders Monument in Section H. The cemetery is located at 1200 Baily Ave. in Chattanooga.
"The Chattanooga National Cemetery, overshadowed by Lookout Mountain, is breathtaking with its
thousands of uniformly standing headstones, but many passersby have no idea about its origin," officials said. "It all began on Christmas Day 1863, when US General George Thomas created the first permanent national cemetery by military order. His order stated that 'a National Cemetery be founded at this place, in commemoration of the battles at Chattanooga, fought Nov. 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, and to provide proper resting places for the remains of the brave men who fell upon the fields
fought over upon those days, and for the remains of such as may hereafter give up their lives in this
region in defending their country against treason and rebellion.'
"We hope you will join us as we explore the creation and administration of this hallowed site nestled in the low hills outside Chattanooga."
For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park,
contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241 or the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786.