The Battle of Chickamauga took place from September 18-20, 1863 in Georgia between the Union and Confederate armies. Union General Rosecrans wanted to take Chattanooga but his army was spread out, allowing Confederate General Bragg to plan an attack. On September 19, the two armies engaged in confused fighting throughout the day. On September 20, Bragg divided his forces and launched a massive assault through a gap in the Union lines, breaking the Union center and forcing Rosecrans to retreat to Chattanooga. Only the forces of General Thomas were able to safely withdraw from the battlefield in the face of defeat, earning him the name "The Rock of Chickamauga." Both sides suffered around 18,000