Snodgrass House

 interesting place, American Civil War 1861-1865

The Snodgrass Cabin served as a field hospital. In 1863, U.S. Snodgrass and his family of nine lived in this log cabin. ON the 2nd day of the Battle of Chickamauga the union forces made a desperate stand in the woods and the fields around the cabin forcing the Snodgrass family to take cover in a nearby ravine with other refugees. Thousands of confederate soldiers attacked the union position on Snodgrass Hill that afternoon. With some of the wars bloodiest fighting, the Snodgrass cabin soon filled with wounded. That evening the Federal evacuated leaving behind many wounded that could not be moved. For several days wounded soldiers from both sides were treated here. Army doctors found it hard to cope with the great number of wounded and the ghastly wounds. Amputation was the standard treatment for arms and legs smashed by bullets or shells. Anesthetics such as chloroform and ether were in use during this period but were in short supply at Chickamauga. Confederate surgeon amputates a soldiers arm in a effort to save his life. Amputations needed to be preformed quickly, 15 minutes or less under battlefield conditions. Because of its proximity to the heavy fighting on Snodgrass Hill, the Snodgrass cabin was used as a hospital by both sides. The cabin has been restored by the National Park Service.

58,000 Union soldiers engaged. 1,556 killed, 9749 wounded, 4774 missing. Total 16,079.

66,000 Confederates engaged. 2,673 killed, 16,274 wounded, 2,003 missing. Total 20,950.