 In September 1863, the 3rd was in northern Georgia at the Battle of Chickamauga.It was heavily engaged at Snodgrass Hill, where Union General William H. Thomas made his famous stand, thus saving the Union Army from total collapse.After participating in the Battle of Knoxville, the 3rd returned to Virginia and saw action in 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness, where Col. James D. Nance, commander of the 3rd was killed.