Waukesha Celebrating 150th Anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Chickamauga

The City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department (WPRF) and Waukesha Landmarks Commission announces that the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Chickamauga will be remembered on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Avenue.

A Civil War Encampment will be held in the park from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., featuring re-enactors, displays, tents, campfires and cooking. A Memorial Service will begin at 3 p.m. to honor the casualties from the Battle of Chickamauga, remembering the twenty-five Waukesha soldiers and laying of memorial wreaths.

“The Great Army of the Republic (GAR) had said it best ‘The men who in the conflict led and for the Union fought and bled, tho’ passing on are never dead’. Even 150 years later, it is our duty and obligation to remember the sacrifices of the 25 fallen soldiers from Waukesha” stated Alderperson Kathleen Cummings, Chairman of Waukesha Landmarks.

Additional events are planned to remember this Civil War battle and its impact on the Waukesha community.

Thursday, Sept. 5

• 7 p.m. – Battle of Chickamauga Presentation at the Waukesha Public Library.

Friday, Sept. 6

• 5-9 p.m. – “Pre-event” encampment activities in Cutler Park.

Saturday, Sept. 7

• 9 a.m. – Prairie Home Cemetery Service and Rededication Ceremony for a Civil War Soldier. 10:00 am–3:00 pm – Civil War Exhibit, diaries/letters, artifact table and craft for kids at Waukesha County Museum.
• 10 a.m. – “The Abolitionists” at Waukesha Public Library; film excerpts and discussion facilitated by Carroll University faculty.
• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Civil War Encampment in Cutler Park.
• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Speakers at the Les Paul Performance Center, topics include the Battle of Chickamauga, and its impact on Waukesha; nursing, undertaking, local authors and songs of the era.
• 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Memorial Service to Honor the Casualties from the Battle of Chickamauga.

Many community organizations are involved in this event to remember the fallen soldiers, including City of Waukesha, Carroll University, Major General John Gibbon Camp #4 – Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Waukesha County Museum, Waukesha County Veterans Services, Waukesha Landmarks Commission, Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, Prairie Home Cemetery, Waukesha Public Library and W.B. Cushing #64 Women’s Relief Corps.

For more information please call 262-524-3737 or visit www.ci.waukesha.wi.us/parks.