A Fateful Turn
Late morning looking east toward the Roulette Farm

Amid the smoke, noise and confusion on the northern end of the field, Union troops turned south toward an old sunken farm lane. The rolling terrain helped hide the Southern troops until the Northerners were almost on top of them. Suddenly, the Confederates unleashed a withering fire, leading to a desperate three-hour struggle for control of what came to be known as Bloody Lane.

The burning Mumma Farm is seen on the left, (click to see a close-up) and Gen. George McClellan is riding with his staff on his only visit onto the battlefield that day at about 2:00 pm. On the right, Richardson's and French's Union Divisions advancing on Bloody Lane (click to see a close-up).