Monument to Colonel Hans Heg in the Chickamauga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD TOUR

STOP 5: HEG MEMORIAL AND VINIARD FIELD

Allow 10-25 minutes for a visit

The fifth stop on the Chickamauga Battlefield Tour marks the spot where Colonel Hans Heg was killed on September 19, 1863. Memorial markers to eight high ranking officers can be found on the battlefield. These are ten foot tall pyramid-shaped structures created from 8” naval shells. Similar structures, though much shorter, mark the site of corps and army headquarters.

There isn’t much in the way of things to see near the memorial; in fact, this is the only tour stop with no wayside exhibits or tablets. However, across the street lies Viniard Field, home to some of the most magnificent monuments in the Chickamauga unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. If you get there in the morning hours, the monuments are wonderfully lit by the sun as it rises from behind the forest on the far side of the field. While you won’t spend more than a few minutes at the Heg Memorial, if you are a photographer or are simply interested in monuments, plan to send 10 minutes or more at Viniard Field.

Monument to the 58th Regiment Indiana Infantry at Viniard Field in the Chickamauga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

58th Regiment Indiana Infantry monument at Viniard Field in the Chickamauga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Monument to the 101st Ohio Infantry at Viniard Field in the Chickamauga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Monument to the Michigan 13th Regiment of Infantry at Viniard Field in the Chickamauga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park