West Woods Trail - Stop 6

Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard

Stop 6 - "The Loss of Life was Fearful"

You have walked in the footsteps of the Confederate attack as it moved north and east, driving Sedgewick's men from the woods. As you exit the woods and into the open field, imagine the chaos and destruction that would have been visible as hundreds of soldiers ran and many more were shot down everywhere you look. Brig. Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, who commanded the Philadelphia Brigade, wrote afterward that his men "poured out their blood like water."

 

Alexander Gardner captured this image of the West Woods and the Dunker Church just two days after the battle.

Library of Congress

 

Intoduction and Map

Stop 1 - Sumner Attacks

Stop 2 - Restored Landscape

Stop 3 - A Crushing Blow

Stop 4 - Avenues of Attack

Stop 5 - The Wounded Lion

Stop 6 - The Loss of Life was Fearful

Stop 7 - Philidelphia Brigade Park