Wilder Brigade Monument

The Wilder Brigade Monument is a limestone tower standing 85 feet tall in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park with a spiral staircase and rectangular windows. Its square base measures 19 feet on each side and anchors the structure that rises above the park grounds.

The monument was built in 1903 to honor Colonel John T. Wilder and his Lightning Brigade, who held crucial positions during the 1863 Battle of Chickamauga. Its construction came decades after the battle, when the importance of this military unit to the war was finally acknowledged.

The monument serves as a gathering place for those who want to remember the soldiers who fought here and understand their role in the Civil War. It connects visitors to the stories of the people who were part of this important moment in American history.

The park is open year-round and visitors can climb the internal spiral staircase to reach a viewing platform at the top offering panoramic views of the battlefield. It helps to stop at the visitor area first for orientation materials and information about the site.

Few visitors know that Wilder's Brigade was famous for its innovative tactics and use of rapid-fire weapons, making it a modern fighting force for its time. These technological advantages allowed them to hold positions that a larger traditional force might not have been able to defend.

Location: Georgia

Inception: 1903

GPS coordinates: 34.90744,-85.27244

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:24