The sun sets over the tombstones of fallen veterans at Chattanooga National Cemetery.Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will partner with Chattanooga National Cemetery for a program of Civil War-related stories at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.
The free presentation, titled "The Last Full Measure of Devotion: The Chattanooga National Cemetery," will focus on soldiers involved in the 1863 Campaign for Chattanooga and the loyalties of those who fell fighting for control of "The Gateway to the Deep South."
The program will begin at the Andrews Raiders Monument in Section H. The cemetery is at 1200 Bailey Ave.
On Nov. 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood outside Gettysburg, Pa., to officially dedicate the Soldiers' National Cemetery. As he uttered the words "they gave their last full measure of devotion ..." Union forces in Chattanooga were readying themselves to lay down their lives upon their country's altar, historians say. In five days, the Battles for Chattanooga would begin in earnest.
For more information, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786 or visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/chch.