Information Panel: Five Rounds into the Darkness

The 115th New York Regiment, young and inexperienced, formed a skirmish line here.

NPS/ Claire Hassler

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The 115 New York Regiment, young and inexperienced, formed a skirmish line here. When gunfire erupted on their left during the night, the men of the 115th must have felt the rush of adrenaline through their veins. Danger was headed in their direction. There was no time to think. For all they knew, a full-scale attack had begun and they were protected only by darkness.
"Sharp musketry began on our extreme left; it came rapidly toward us and soon we were blazing away. We fired five rounds into the darkness. When the firing ceased and nobody seemed to know what was the matter it was said that Rebel Cavalry had attempted to pass between us and a Hill beyond. This was our second Sunday in the field and we easily reached the conclusion that there was no sabbath laid down in Army regulations." Sergeant Nicholas J. DeGraff, Company D. 115th New York Regiment