Abandoned Artillery
These two Wiard rifled cannon represent two of the four guns lost by Lt. Alexander Marshall of Battery G 1st Ohio Light Artillery (originally two 12 pdr. howitzers, two 12 pdr. Wiard rifles, and two six pdr. Wiard rifles). These guns valiantly but vainly tried to check the Confederate advance by firing repeated charges of canister then retreating "by prolonge" to fire again. The guns were abandoned when most of the horses were killed and the Confederates were but 40 yards from the guns. In this area 14 Union cannon were lost to the Confederates by Sheridan and Negley's Divisions.
Friend and Foe: The Limestone Outcroppings
These rocks became natural rifle pits for the Union soldiers defending this ground, sheltering them while projectiles screamed and Minie balls ricocheted. But in retreat, the Federals found that the rough rocks trapped, tripped and cut. Cracks and crevasses caught limber and cannon carriage wheels. Excited teams were cut loose, the valuable artillery abandoned
The Slaughter Pen 10 a.m., Dec 31, 1862
Near here, the men of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan and Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas warded off determined Confederate assaults. In an attempt to crack the Union line at this point the Confederates wheeled up their guns to within 183 meters (200 yards) of Sheridan's position, but attack after attack still failed with costly losses to both sides. Eventually, however, Sheridan abandoned his position. His delaying action during the withdrawal had given Union troops time to form a new line along the Nashville Pike.
Despite stiffening Union resistance, the Confederate tide swept on. The Federals made stand after stand, only to give ground again. Take this short trail to a Union position among the woods and rock outcroppings |
|
