In late August 1863, the Federal Army of the Cumberland began moving toward Georgia. On the extreme right of the Federal lines, the XX Army Corps under Major General Alexander M. McCook advanced across Lookout Mountain with Alpine, Summerville, and Rome, Georgia, as its objective line of march. Federal cavalry regiments under Major General David Stanley, reconnoitering far in front of the main body of the XX Army Corps, arrived in Summerville from Alpine on September 6, 1863, and skirmished with Confederate cavalry near this site. Federal cavalry returned to Summerville on September 7, 1863, and skirmished again with Confederate cavalry. On September 8, 1863, Confederate General Joseph Wheeler arrived in Summerville and issued Special Orders Headquarters, Cavalry Corps No. 70, directing General Wharton to detail 300 of his best officers and men, armed with long-range guns, to join General Forrest in a reconnaissance of the enemy's position; the detachment was to report to Forrest at Alpine at 9 o'clock the next morning, carry two days' rations and feed or corn in forage sacks, be provided with 80 rounds of ammunition per man, and be commanded by a colonel selected by Wharton, while the commanding officer at Alpine was to establish a courier line with stations no more than 4 miles apart. At 8:00 a.m. on September 8, 1863, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest reported to Wheeler that he was at Gower's, Gore's Gap on Taylor's Ridge, with a cavalry brigade and six pieces of artillery, and that he expected another brigade by 12 o'clock noon. A skirmish took place in Summerville on September 10, 1863, and Federals took possession of the town. Further skirmishes occurred near Summerville on September 13, 1863, and in Summerville on September 15, 1863. The Battle of Chickamauga followed on September 19-20, 1863.

Photo: Leah Tibbs

Photo: Leah Tibbs

Photo: Leah Tibbs

Photo: Leah Tibbs