The National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History will dedicate the first sign in its Medal of Honor Heritage Trail at the Lee & Gordon’s Mills in Chickamauga on Saturday from 1-2 p.m. the public is invited to attend.
The sign will honor three of the nine recipients of the Medal of Honor awarded during the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863 to include Bugler William J. Carson, 15th U.S. Infantry; Sergeant Axel H. Reed, 2nd Minnesota and Captain Clinton A. Cilley, 2nd Minnesota. Two additional signs will be dedicated at a later date honoring the six additional recipients of the medal during the battle.
Those participating in the ceremony include Brad Bennett, superintendent of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park; Dr. Anthony Hodges, president of Friends of the Park; E. Raymond Evans, author & historian, Jim Wade, executive director of the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History and members of the 15th U.S. Infantry Regiment Association and active duty members from Battalions at Fort Steward and Fort Benning. The 15th U.S. Infantry Regiment is still active today and traces its lineage back to May 1861 when it was constituted.
There will also be a special detachment of seven “Union Soldiers” (re-enactors) led by John Culpepper who will present a 21 gun salute at the unveiling of the new Heritage Trail Sign. This sign is made possible by the Benwood Foundation. Light refreshments will be available following the event.
The Medal of Honor Heritage Trail when completed will honor all 33 recipients of the Battles for Chickamauga and Chattanooga in September and November 1863. A book, Paths of Valor, was commissioned by the museum in 2013 and is now available on the web site or at the museum in Northgate. It details each of the recipients in the battles and includes the following:
• Battle of Chickamauga- 9 Recipients
• Hospitals- 1 Recipient
• Battle of Wauhatchie-1 Recipient
• Battle of Lookout Mountain-4 Recipients
• Battle of Missionary Ridge -17 Recipients
• Battle of Ringgold Gap-1 Recipient
The next sign dedication will be in November on Lookout Mountain honoring the four recipients there in November 1863. Additional signs for the remaining recipients will follow in 2015. For additional information contact Jim Wade, executive director, at 423-886-1519 or visit the museums web site at www.mohm.org.