One simple fact of life in the Town of Chickamauga is that you cannot escape the presence of historical markers. Here, in this very parking lot, you will find two: one at the posted coordintes directly in front of you, and a second (see waypoints) just across the lot on your right. From information gleaned from these two markers (and, your surroundings), you will swiftly find the cache at N 034º 51.ABC / W 085º 15.DEF.
The marker now in front of you concerns Confederate General Leonidas Polk, who, after graduating eighth in his class at West Point, left the military to become an influential Episcopal minister. In 184A, he became the first Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana. He was also influential in establishing the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. But military duties couldn’t be avoided in these tumultuous times, and he accepted an appointment as a Major General, leaving the ministry behind. On October B (take only the leftmost digit, if there are two), he was Commander of all the Confederate forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. He was appointed Right Wing Commander in the upcoming Battle of Chickamauga, where he served with distinction in this decisive Union defeat. But, not long thereafter, he was killed by Union artillery in Pine Mountain, Georgia while surveying enemy positions.
There is a Fire Department standpipe on the wall immediately adjacent to this historical marker, and on the pipe – immediately below the letters “FM,” is a series of five digits: two digits, then a dash, then three. Note the third digit (the first digit in the second group), then subtract 3 and call this digit C.
Now, walk to your right along the sidewalk, turn the corner and walk straight ahead (see waypoints) until you arrive at the second historical marker, which honors Union General Thomas Leonidas Crittenden. Placed in command of the 5th Division of the Army of the Ohio, he led this division into battle in 1862. Take the number of characters in the name of this battle, subtract 6 and call this digit D. During the Battle of Chickamauga his position was overrun and he was forced to retreat to Chattanooga. This occurred in the afternoon of September E. (Add the digits, if there are two.)
After you have finished reading the sign, take a large step to your left and then walk straight ahead (see waypoints) until you come to a sign above a doorway, labeled Crittenden Alley. Count the number of bolts holding this sign to the horizontal bar, subtract 1, and call this digit F.
Now, you have all the information you need to find the cache, which is a short walking distance away! NOT on or at the electrical boxes or water meters!