This is special. I accidentally started my visit here. Had to begin with research. It’s a special site. The Union troops were overwhelmed and ran back through town.
It is just an historic site. No gift sho. No food.
Lesser known spot on the battlefield that is often skipped by the tour groups. Interesting spot where a salient was formed on day 1 on the Union line. Definitely worth stopping by.
This was where General Francis C. Barlow setup his men to try to stop the advancing Confederate troops. It failed as he was to exposed with no support due to how far they had went.
From this spot, you have a wide view of the battlefield. You can imagine what General Barlow saw as the Confederate forces advanced. You can also see the Oak Ridge Observation Tower from here.
I have family ties to the Pa. 153rd vols. Who fought here until being overrun. I think they get a bad rap about the way they left. I seem to recall that the Iron brigade left in similar fashion but don't get the same stigma. Please don't think I have anything against the Iron Brigade. They were badass to a man
Rarely visited area. Great story about Barlow when wounded, was aided and comforted CSA General John Gordon. But, was it fact or fiction?
In General Gordon's "Reminisces of the Civil War", published in 1903, Gordon states.... that as the Confederates pursued the Union troops, he came upon a wounded officer (Barlow). He asked his name and nature of his wounds, gave him water and had him removed to the rear. Barlow thought that since he was paralyzed, he would not survive.
Barlow asked Gordon to take letters (from his wife) from his pocket and burn them, and if Gordon should survive the war, to meet his wife and tell her the story and that he died bravely.
In 1879, Gordon, now a Senator from Georgia, was in New York City for a dinner party, at a Democratic function, where he was told a General Barlow will also attend. Gordon thought it must be another Barlow. (Barlow was told that same story).
So the old enemies met 16 years later and remained friends until Barlows death in January 1896.
I've read that historians dispute this, and other stories like this, due to possible egotism and slightly bending the truth. Also, Barlow's account of this differs greatly.
Great story....but fact or fiction.
The extreme right flank of the Union army on July 1st. The observation tower here is worth climbing, you get a sense of what the XI Corps was up against, trying to defend against two Confederate divisions without the benefit of easily defensible terrain.
Website
