The Forgotten Railroad Cut

[infomanpa]

Even though there are actually 3 railroad cuts on the western part of the battlefield, people usually think only of the middle cut of the three that exist. This is natural because a park road is built over the middle cut and monuments surround it. However, I've discovered that the western most cut had some significant action also. This area is pretty much ignored by battlefield visitors. Daniel's Rebel brigade attempted several attacks there against Stone's Federal brigade. (See maps, below) I think that the action there justifies at least a paved path to that area with maybe a marker or two describing its significance.

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

I used to live just over Willoughby Run, and I couldn't ignore the irony that my ancestor was mortally wounded just yards from my living room.

I agree with your suggestion of a paved path, but the average visitor doesn't really stray far from the auto tour stops unless they're on a special tour. Makes me wonder if the cost would really be worth it; but then, I've always been an advocate of reconstructing the Bliss barn.

 

[Andy Cardinal]

I believe the western cut is also the general area where the 147th New York fought in the morning, although their monument is located at the middle cut.

Is that area private property or owned by the park?

 

[Tom Elmore]

In addition to the 147th New York, the 149th Pennsylvania was intimately familiar with that steep cut and lost a few men captured there when the 45th North Carolina and 2nd North Carolina Battalion charged on them at around 2:20 p.m. on July 1, as shown above. The 149th's colonel had unwisely placed the regiment on the north side of the cut. But it likewise served as a natural barrier to Daniel's North Carolinians and significantly affected the course of the fighting in that vicinity, as the attached map suggests.

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice info to know

 

[infomanpa]

I believe the western cut is also the general area where the 147th New York fought in the morning, although their monument is located at the middle cut.

Is that area private property or owned by the park?

It is not a private area and I have walked around there.

And you are correct about the other action at the west cut! See the map below. When the first Federal infantry troops arrived on July 1 from Cutler's brigade, the 147th NY tried to brace itself against Davis' brigade.