Last updated: January 6, 2023
Place
Information Panel: The Confederate Perspective
NPS/ Claire Hassler
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Confederate Colonel Edmond Pendleton wrote about the night of September 14, 1862 from his perspective across the road on School House Ridge. Pendleton and his men were facing his direction, holding the Union forces in check on Bolivar Heights behind you.
"We lay upon our arms till nearly daylight, the quietude of the night being unbroken, save by a sharp musketry fire of a few minutes duration in front of our right and a few hundred yards distant, which proved to have occurred between two regiments of the enemy on picket duty, who had mutually mistaken each other for foes." Colonel Edmund Pendleton, 15th Louisiana
Colonel Pendleton was mistaken. The gunfire he heard was exactly what General "Stonewall" Jackson wanted. Jackson intended to outflank the enemy stronghold on Bolivar Heights by moving artillery and infantry to the far left of the union position. To cover this maneuver and distract the Union troops, Jackson ordered some of his forces on School House Ridge to feint attack against the Union skirmish line near the road below. Confederate victory was inevitable now.
Even though the attack here lasted only a short time, it was a critical part of the Confederate strategy, and was a life and death situation for the soldiers who were involved.
"General J.R. Jones was directed to make a demonstration against the enemy's right." Jackson's official report
"We lay upon our arms till nearly daylight, the quietude of the night being unbroken, save by a sharp musketry fire of a few minutes duration in front of our right and a few hundred yards distant, which proved to have occurred between two regiments of the enemy on picket duty, who had mutually mistaken each other for foes." Colonel Edmund Pendleton, 15th Louisiana
Colonel Pendleton was mistaken. The gunfire he heard was exactly what General "Stonewall" Jackson wanted. Jackson intended to outflank the enemy stronghold on Bolivar Heights by moving artillery and infantry to the far left of the union position. To cover this maneuver and distract the Union troops, Jackson ordered some of his forces on School House Ridge to feint attack against the Union skirmish line near the road below. Confederate victory was inevitable now.
Even though the attack here lasted only a short time, it was a critical part of the Confederate strategy, and was a life and death situation for the soldiers who were involved.
"General J.R. Jones was directed to make a demonstration against the enemy's right." Jackson's official report