Headquarters for the 40^th annual Military History Conference was the Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn located downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The hotel occupies the restored terminal station for the famous “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” a wood-burning passenger train that first ran from Cincinnati, Ohio to Chattanooga in 1880.  From the time we entered the hotel’s lobby, located in the historic Dome Terminal, we were constantly reminded of bygone days when steam power ruled the rails that moved America.  Between conference activities we were able to relax in the formal gardens, select a variety of dining experiences, shop in the unique boutiques and wander through the model railroad museum.   

The conference began at noon Wednesday when the registration desk opened.  While the Board of Directors held their meeting other conference participants began gathering to meet old friends and look over the book exhibits.  Later that evening an informal reception included a presentation on the Civil War in Tennessee by Fred Prouty, Military Sites Preservation Specialist and Director of Programs of the Tennessee Wars Commission.  The evening concluded with a short briefing and last minute changes to the schedule. 

As usual Thursday morning began papers on a variety of military subjects then we boarded buses to visit some of the sites related to the Cherokee Removal of 1835-1840.  The first stop was Dalton Depot where we had lunch and learned about the U.S. Army’s role in the Cherokee’s movement to Oklahoma.  Then we visited several sites including the home of Cherokee Chief Joseph Vann and New Echota, the seat of government for the Cherokee Nation from 1825 to 1838.  New Echota was the site where the treaty relinquishing all Cherokee claim to lands east of the Mississippi was signed and the town served as the staging area and assembly point for the movement west. 

Then we visited Fort Oglethorpe, founded in 1903 as a base for the Army’s 6^th Cavalry Regiment.  During World War II the 810 acre post served as a reception center, cavalry school, Provost Marshal Officer’s Candidate School and one of the three Women’s Army Corps training camps.  The post also housed German prisoners of War and was closed after the war.  Today a few of the posts historic structures and the 6^th Cavalry Regiment Museum is located on the site of the abandoned military post.  After visiting the museum we returned to the hotel for the traditional dinner with the Society of Military History. 

Friday began with papers until 11 am when we enjoyed dinner at the hotel while CAMP’s Executive Secretary, Colonel Herbert M. Hart, USMC (Ret) presented the history of CAMP.  Afterward we boarded buses and headed for the Chickamauga National Battlefield Park.  At the Visitor Center we wandered through the exhibits and bookstore and enjoyed an orientation presentation by Historian James Ogden.  Then we boarded the buses for a tour of the battlefield with stops at major sites.  The, like the Federal Army after the battle, we retreated to Chattanooga for the annual book auction. 

Saturday morning began with papers until 9 a.m. then a quick bus ride to Moccasin Bend, across the river from Chattanooga.  Historian Jim Ogden led us on a tour of the earth works known as Fort Whitaker.   Then we were off to the top Lookout Mountain and Point Park, the site of the “Battle above the Clouds.”  While touring the fortifications on the mountain we were treated to a spectacular view of Moccasin Bend, Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. 

We returned to the hotel for lunch and afterward moved to the Chattanooga National Cemetery where we stopped at the monument to the Andrews Raiders who hijacked the locomotive General in 1862.  Then we moved to Missionary Ridge where U. S. troops, under General Thomas bowled over the Confederate defenders and sent them toward Atlanta.  We then returned to the hotel for the annual banquet where Dr. Derek W. Frisby, Assistant Professor of History at Middle Tennessee State University presented “Tennesseans Can Only Be Quelled by Tennesseans.”  CAMP Secretary, Herbert Hart summarized the actions of the Director’s meeting and Director Amy Price read a list of military historians who died since the last conference.  After the banquet, like other evenings of the conference, a number of participants visited the hospitality suite.  

The traditional optional add-on began at 8 a.m. when we departed for military sites of middle Tennessee.  The first stop was Stone’s River National Battlefield Visitor Center and a bus tour of the battlefield led by Chief of Operations Gilbert J. Backlung.  At lunch Carter House Director Thomas Cartwright explained significant events in the Battle of Franklin then led us on a Tour of Carter House that was the Federal Headquarters and pot marked with more than 1,000 bullet holes during the battle. 

On December 15, 1864 the guns from Fort Negley opened the battle of Nashville.  This large regular fortification, constructed by U.S. Army Engineers on a hill overlooking Nashville, was one of the few European style fortifications build during the Civil War.  Historian Fred Prouty led us through the historic structure explaining the fort’s features and restoration efforts being undertaken.  The last stop was Camp Forrest at Tullahoma, a Tennessee National guard training camp founded in 1926.  Dr. Michael Bradley, Professor of History at Motlow Community College presented a history of the camp that is now part the Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Center. 

During the three day conference we learned about the U.S. Army’s role in the Cherokee removal and the Civil War actions in East Tennessee, and especially the Chattanooga Campaign.  And the Sunday add-on trip explored the Battles of Franklin and Nashville.  Next year we look forward to learning about the military history of the Hampton, VA area and hope to see you there.